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I know we are in a bad economy, but it seems that all the GW and SA stores around my area have virtually dried up on classic gaming stuff since Christmas. I hit these on different days of the week and at varying times of day, but donations are minimal lately. Hardly any carts or systems to be found. Kinda sad.:(
GW around here started getting a bunch of stuff in around chrismas, seems to have started slowing down at teh end of January though. There was an ealy model PSX complete with controllers and cables (AV jack model -I think that's the 100 series), a pre tmss model 1 which I picked up in part due to it having a 6-button control with it and in part due to my other one having no expansion cover (came with a CD). Good thing too as I found out it was my 1st genesis that was causing my CD's problems, not the CD itsself.
Then they had a couple N64s and GCs (on eGC was loose and missing the top insignial plate, th eother was almsot complete with one controller -both had the digital out), both 64s had 2 controllers and PSUs, but only one had the AV cable and also had the expansion pak and a rumble pak I think. (I knid of regret not picking that up for $15, as a spare to keep as my own in my room, and perhaps when I eventually move out)
I did end up getting a non-yellowed SNES with RF and PSU plus 2 controllers (1 being a bit damaged though I canabalised ti along with a messed up spare I hadm so now have 4 fully functioning pads).
It even still has the sticker that warns not to attempt removing a cart witht he power on. (there's a locking key)
Later a model 2 with RF and 2 controllers came in, one controller had exposed wires though. A bunch of Genesis game have passed through as well. I haven't been checking the Morgan Hill goodwill, so I'm not sure about that. It certainly varies though, sometimes there's months of nothing or just the crappy sports games that never sell. I did get Ms. Pac Man today for $2.75, pretty much th eonly non-sports game there. (and marked 35% off)
all of the thrift stores where I live rarely have video games in stock and when they do its usually sports games, there is 1 thrift store in the downtown section though that regularly has a small selection of games and I've gotten a good number of good games from them all for 5$ and in case or CIB: Comix Zone, Zoom, Battlemaster, Bio Hazard Battle, Bonanza Brothers, Master of Monsters, Monopoly, Ms. Pac-Man, Super Battleship, Shining in the Darkness, True Lies, Batman Forever, Demolition Man.
I don't get good deals often at thrift stores... happens but is pretty rare. Quite a few around in the metro area, but I have to go quite far up VA or MD.
That's not too shabby of a collection at that one store. I'd be hitting it often if I lived nearby.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse813
I think thrift store games have been drying up for the last ten years. Thanks to eBay, people know (or think they know) the value of games and want to sell them for top dollar. This leads to games that would have been given away being sold at premium prices either on eBay or through game sellers at flea markets, etc. It's changed the perception of vintage games from junk to collectibles, which is unfortunate for vintage gamers because it was so much fun and so cheap to find this stuff in the wild.
Yeah.. but every once in a while some dumbass donates some great stuff and goodwill doesn't really know the value of it!
Yea the thrift store near me sells all videogames for $5. There was once where there was a couple of genesis games, i got like 2 or 3.
They also sell all cds $1, vhs tapes 50 cents. Got Mallrats and a vhs with 2 legend of zelda episodes (And and episode of super mario bros super show, just the live action parts of capt lou is missing)
I think in general more people are going to thrift stores. I am finding it harder to be poor these days than two years ago. I buy everything I can at thrift stores and almost all my food discount grocery stores. $4 for a pair of blue jeans sure beats $50 or so for new ones. Unfortunately all the other people who were living beyond there means or just got screwed over in the crash are now shopping there as well and it has become much harder for me to find any thing good.
Goodwill sells all of their good stuff online. They have crazy stuff there all the time. Both of Salvation Army and Goodwill also have real auctions. I am not sure if any video game lots make it to them. Savers seems about the same. I find decent items from time to time. I rarely find anything that I would play. Just things that sell like crazy on Amazon, like Mario Kart anything and Game Boy colors. There is one store in Tucson however that is cheap and almost every time I go there I find something awesome.