[quote name='KrAzY3']I have trouble figuring out logic or reason to a Goodwill Outlet. Some stuff is clearly unsold from other stores, some is what they consider to be "junk" unfit to put in their other stores, and then you'll find some gem that appears they didn't want to process for the other stores. If you go through the entire place and find one nice thing you've done well, it takes patience that's for sure and if it's broke, too bad...
As to the thread in general and some responses I've seen, It's fun to come here and point out what you found (may be not as much fun to get jealous over other people's finds like that really cool Laserdisc/Sega system) but one has to understand that really good deals (demonstrably better than Ebay) are really not that easy to come by. You're mostly getting the finds, if I posted here every time I found crap I'd have hundreds of posts on the subject.
The art of the Goodwill deal is really no different than a clearance deal you might find at a retail store, or at a garage sale, (or even some patience on Ebay). You just look and look and look and then buy something hoping it's as valuable or what not as you think it is. Generally speaking though you're doing well if it's value is as high as what you paid. An original X-Box for $60, vs. a PS2 for $2, you're going to see more of the former.
My best thrift find is actually game used jersies (might have posted that in a old thrift store thread). I think I got 13, worth $50 each but two were Peavys (he needs to get healthy) putting the value of the lot over 1,000. Made doubly cool by the fact I used to be a batboy for the minor league team they were from. They were autographed and clearly auctioned originally, meaning the original owner had to have thousands invested. Do you know how much time that's made me waste going through old Goodwill clothes though?
My best find was actually a bunch of $20 Black / Silver Micros at a salvage store. I didn't buy nearly enough and let my brother have a couple, so instead of making thousands I made a couple hundred (which required selling my personal micro). Then again, I have a bunch of PS2 network adapters that are now worth about what I paid for them, but I am starting to get enough PS2s to match them for what it's worth.
Anyway, good finds, no matter where you look is usually a combination of luck, patience, and knowledge. If someone just wanders into a store at random and finds something great, that's usually just sheer blind luck and isn't much different from winning a raffle. In the end, you're lucky if you can "break" even to the point you are subsidizing your gaming related purchases with the occasional flip. Sure, it's worth the effort but if you go into any thrift store expecting to find something great, you're almost certain to be disappointed.
Having said that, here are some of the finds from the past couple months:
$4 Gamecube w/ two controllers, memory card and game
$2 SNES (bad condition, no cables, but working)
$2 PS2 (fat, great condition, working with crappy sports game but nothing else)
$2 Super Mario 64 (I think, they've done carts from $2 to by the pound)
$2 Shenmue DC
$5 Dell Axim X5 High End w/ charger, SD card, and CF card
$2 Dirty GBA with no battery cover (with SMA4, which is why I got it)
And... a few other games, cords, and controllers which are otherwise forgettable. So, aside from my last trip I had some good finds, but nothing worth writing home about.[/QUOTE]
I had quite an emotional rollercoaster yesterday at the GW across the street from my house. I initially went over just to donate some old clothes and stuffed animals/toys my daughter doesn't play with anymore, but I decided to go in and take a look around.
First thing I noticed was the shelf by the crappy VHS tapes was LOADED with old big-box PC games, all in MINT condition and complete. I ended up with these at $3/each:
- Panzer General II (With guide)
- Dungeon Keeper
- The Deeper Dungeons Expansion Pack
- Lords of the Realm 2
- Heroes of Might and Magic 2: The Succession Wars
- Price of Loyalty Expansion Pack
- Patrol Disk for Silent Hunter
- Knights and Merchants (Sealed)
- M1 Tank Platoon 2
There were a ton more, but these are the ones that are worth money. Some are only going for ~$12-15, while others are $30+.
I also snagged a few copies of Get Fit With Mel B for $3 each.
And then the most happy/sad/excited moment of the trip. I was looking in one of the glass cases at the PS1 games that were stacked up and noticed Tecmo Super Bowl and get a little excited. I asked to see it and when I pulled it out, the cover of it was Lego Racers. My heart sank. I opened it to just check the disc inside and I nearly shit myself. Mega Man Legends 2. Disc only, but for $3, it was a steal.
I also snagged a Linksys WMCE54AG Media Extender for $2, but I'm just going to resell it since it won't connect to my WPA2 enabled network.
(.
