Awesome thrift store pickup(s).

[Raduque]

I scored a nice set of old Akai tower speakers for $20, and a very comfy plush lounger chair for $30, both in great condition at a Goodwill.

The speakers sound great, and the chair is the most comfortable piece of furniture I've ever sat in.

 

[Svnla]

Chinese new years "red envelopes", everyone loves these! Why $2 bills though?

Tst, tst, tst, ain't you 1/2 Chinese? and you did not know?

In Asian culture, brand new $2USD = bring good luck in the Lunar New Year, $2 = pair = good. When I was in Asia last time, people kept asking for brand new $2 for the Lunar New Year.

Now you learn something today, young grass hopper.

Back to the topic, you guys have much better luck than me. I tried a few times at Goodwill and nothing good in electronics except old CRT monitors and TVs.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I'd like to see that debate...

I know someone that makes a living buying and reselling antiques and such from thrift stores and garage sales. Hasn't had a conventional job for a decade. Apparently there's plenty to be made if you have the knowledge to do so.

Either way, it's definitely a better way to go than his prior job as a meth dealer.

My wife and I have done this sort of thing for over 11 years, though we both work regular jobs so it serves to supplement our regular incomes. We buy much more than antiques as well and sell them on eBay and Amazon. What started out as a hobby and way to spend some quality time together on the weekends has grown so much we've had to turn it into an official business, which is nice because we can write off the mileage, gas, and the lunches we have on Saturday while going to garage sales. Last year we grossed a bit over $75K. After expenses and the tax write-offs we netted @ $62K doing it.

While the extra money is nice there's a rush you get when buying something at a garage sale for a dollar or two that sells on eBay for two hundred to three hundred bucks. The hunt for those kind of finds gets into your blood.

 

[CZroe]

I see $5 N64 consoles at thrift stores all the time and I don't buy them unless they have an Expansion Pak or a like-new thumbstick or something. What makes you think they are worth $40? eBay?

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I see $5 N64 consoles at thrift stores all the time and I don't buy them unless they have an Expansion Pak or a like-new thumbstick or something. What makes you think they are worth $40? eBay?

They aren't worth $40 unless they are one of the rarer types like a green, orange, or Pikachu. Most of the standard consoles that sell for $40+ on eBay also sell with a couple of games. It's the games that people are paying for.

 

[Leros]

I had those weird looking speakers back in the day. They were the best bang for your buck in the cheap range.

 

[thepd7]

nice find, not a steal but solid.

 

[Locut0s]

I've scored much better N64 deals before. Does yours have the RAM Expansion Pak?

...I could kick your ass at Mario Kart 64.

This is a challenge, if you are ever in GA for some reason.

What deals did you get for N64s specifically? No RAM pack. Though the first N64 I got had a black controller with a rumble pack so I have that.

Yes I bet you could kick my ass @ MK. Fantastic game but I've never been a big car racing game fan or any type. BTW why would I be in GA voluntarily? D:

 

[Locut0s]

My wife and I have done this sort of thing for over 11 years, though we both work regular jobs so it serves to supplement our regular incomes. We buy much more than antiques as well and sell them on eBay and Amazon. What started out as a hobby and way to spend some quality time together on the weekends has grown so much we've had to turn it into an official business, which is nice because we can write off the mileage, gas, and the lunches we have on Saturday while going to garage sales. Last year we grossed a bit over $75K. After expenses and the tax write-offs we netted @ $62K doing it.

While the extra money is nice there's a rush you get when buying something at a garage sale for a dollar or two that sells on eBay for two hundred to three hundred bucks. The hunt for those kind of finds gets into your blood.

 

[eldorado99]

Am I the only one who still has their original N64?

 

[eldorado99]

Or SNES and NES for that matter. Seems like they are becoming "cool" again the last few years and everyone is re-buying them.

 

[Locut0s]

CZero: I see $5 N64 consoles at thrift stores all the time and I don't buy them unless they have an Expansion Pak or a like-new thumbstick or something. What makes you think they are worth $40? eBay?

They aren't worth $40 unless they are one of the rarer types like a green, orange, or Pikachu. Most of the standard consoles that sell for $40+ on eBay also sell with a couple of games. It's the games that people are paying for.

I rarely ever see them listed for less than about $35 even without a game.

 

[Locut0s]

Or SNES and NES for that matter. Seems like they are becoming "cool" again the last few years and everyone is re-buying them.

You aren't the only one no doubt but lot's of people got rid of them "back in the day" and now want to get back into collecting vintage systems. I'm really nostalgic for the systems and games of yesterday. Love 8/16bit gaming. I have a plan to eventually build up a collection of all the popular old systems, with some games. And maybe even expand it into some of the rarer systems.

 

[Locut0s]

I had those weird looking speakers back in the day. They were the best bang for your buck in the cheap range.

The one that looks like a Bomb? It's an Altec Lansing XA 3001. Going to test it out and see what it's like.

 

[Locut0s]

The one that looks like a Bomb? It's an Altec Lansing XA 3001. Going to test it out and see what it's like.

A quick Google shows that when it was new it wasn't too badly reviewed, good sub woofer for gamers who aren't picky it seems. Looks like it was $45 new and may fetch $10-20 used?

 

[Leros]

The one that looks like a Bomb? It's an Altec Lansing XA 3001. Going to test it out and see what it's like.

Yeah.

 

[Lithium381]

csb

 

[MagickMan]

A vintage 1970s Armani suede sport coat, worth ~$1500. Paid $5 at Goodwill.

 

[Locut0s]

A vintage 1970s Armani suede sport coat, worth ~$1500. Paid $5 at Goodwill.

:thumbsup:

 

[Mike Gayner]

All the thrift stores around here suck ass - awful used clothes and furniture that was ugly when it was manufactured in 1975.

 

[Locut0s]

All the thrift stores around here suck ass - awful used clothes and furniture that was ugly when it was manufactured in 1975.

No. No. Mike that's largely the same with any thrift store you visit on the planet. You just have to look past most of that junk for the occasional steal.

Unless you are one of those unlucky, or is it lucky, souls who somehow happens to like "awful used clothes and furniture that was ugly when it was manufactured in 1975"? :hmm:

 

[Schadenfroh]

All the thrift stores around here suck ass - awful used clothes and furniture that was ugly when it was manufactured in 1975.

Yeh, but you guys probably do not have trouble with "contaminated" furniture.

 

[vshah]

Got a wrt54gl router (Linux version) for ten bucks back when it was selling for 80

Sent from my Sensation using Tapatalk

 

[Locut0s]

Got a wrt54gl router (Linux version) for ten bucks back when it was selling for 80

Sent from my Sensation using Tapatalk

Nice. If you picked up the same router today at a thrift store it would probably still be 10 bucks though, lol.

 

[MisterJackson]

That rounded Altec Lansing sub won't do you any good unless you have the other cables with it. The power button and volume switch are on a tether that connects with a proprietary hook up. There's also two satellite speakers that go with it. It's the same speaker setup I use for my son's room for him to watch movies on his PC.