Goodwill swamped with CRTs
 

I went in to the local Goodwill today, they have tons of CRT sets of all shapes and sizes for cheap, they even had a 16:9 CRT set for sale.

I expect it will get worse (or better depending on your POV) after Christmas.

Didn't I read on here that GW would no longer sell CRT sets after the digital transition?

Did you see anything with some age on it or was it all '90's and newer stuff?

I suspect that since it's Christmas and the DTV transition is near, there will be plenty of old TV's donated to the charity stores as people get updated TV's. I'm going to watch my local SA like a hawk in case anything decent turns up.

Saw a bunch at my local GW as well...

Well, I hit the SA today and didn't find much in the way of vintage TV's. A couple of '90's era Thomson RCA consoles, A 32" Thomson RCA, a couple of el cheapo off brand BPC sets, a couple of 12" B&W sets (Goldstar and GE) priced at $15 each, an early '80's 19" Portland knob tuner, and a 20" RCA (looked like a CTC130 chassis).

Went in another charity thrift store and the only TV in the place was one of those 12" white cased POS "ACTON" brand B&W TV's with the wall wart power supply for $15. I remember those being the last knob tuned sets sold in the mid '90's and I think they were something like $29.99 new. I think 12" B&W are virtually unsellable now. I have not gotten $15 for one in ages.

I figured I'd at least find a GE portacolor, a nice 19" Zenith 4 tube hybrid, or an RCA roundie console; but, no such luck. Maybe next week...

Tons here too--I picked up a Panasonic Quintrix 10" portable for $4.99. Just couldn't say no--I love these little units. They also had two HUGE 50" big screens (way overpriced), and the usual BPC.

Mostly 90's stuff, I almost bought a small (9 or 10"?) 1995 RCA Colortrak with the swoopy areodynamic cabinet just because it looked cool but it was plain white and had some dings on it.

Waaaaahht?! I sure hope not! Who's gonna sell used old and newer CRT's that the "average consumer" doesn't want anymore? I'd hate to see em all going to the trash bin just because they're an "out of date" technology

I think you'll find this interesting:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=191067

Sorry, it's true. I watched about that.:tears:

000

There's an older Zenith 46" PTV at one of the local higher priced thrift stores priced at $190. I suspect it will be there awhile, as well.

A few months ago I saw an old Sony 20" or so trinitron. I really wanted to get it but the picture looked way to bright and washed out even with the brightness and contrast controls all the way down. Is this a common problem with these sets?

Some yo-yo could have turned the G2 control up too high. Or, there could be a problem in the brightness limiter circuit. It's probably worth a shot at trying to repair if you can get it cheap enough.

The Wal-Mart near my house still sells brand new CRT based TVs as well as many flat screen models. I am not sure how long this will last.

Most likely until the supply runs out, I believe most CRTs are out of production now. I think there are some still made in ......yes, china:sigh:.

Yes, I am seeing it here as well, but all I am seeing around are 90's black box sets. Some Toshiba blackstripes from the mis 80's and the such but thats about it.. Half tempted to nab that early 80's 19" Trinitron with the green LED readout although.. Hmmm

Well, the goodwills around me aren't swamped with TV's. There are only about 3 TV's per store here, 13" B&W's with missing knobs and BPC 90's TV's. I saw a mid 80's 13" UHF/VHF knobby a couple of weeks ago The volume knob was really oxidized.

I picked up recently a cute little 8" Magnavox TV with remote and antenna for my girlfriend for $8. Looks very nice.

I visited a local thrift store today only to find a 27" CRT priced at $175! They also had a 30 inch something Panasonic for $400. Good luck.

It's starting here.
Was at S.A. looking for audio treasures
when I saw them unloading a beastly Mitsubishi
TV off the truck.
Asked the guy if it worked ok
and he said it was great at the warehouse.

Went and found the manager to ask if she would price it
and she says sure.
Got it for $79.95.
Nice Mitsu 40"CRT with audio stand.
I see a remote control for
one went for $85 on the bay so why not.

TV must go at least 250lbs.
and audio stand kinda hefty too.

My good buddy SixCats helped me
get it on the truck then into the house.

Oh yeah,when I went to pick it up after
getting the truck there was a nice
Sony setting beside it with a SOLD tag also.
Looked like another 40"er.

Gonna be some great buys in some TOTL older sets.

forgot pics
 

Cat loves it..........

No subwoofer needed running it to a H/K
A/V unit coupled to those Fisher XP-18s

I'd say you got a very good deal on that set. I don't think you would have gotten it that cheap at any of the thrifts around here. There's an early '90's Zenith 46" RPTV that they want something like $187 for!

And, yes, there will be some great buys coming our way soon! There should also be some good "curbside shopping" as well!

I stopped in GW yesterday-more sets than I'd seen in awhile, mostly BPC. Every one had 'analog' written on it in magic marker. The only one that I gave a second look to was a 2-knob RCA 13" color from '84, only $6 but I passed. Meanwhile, someone on Freecycle gave me a 19" Montgomery Wards, probably that same age. I don't know why I took it-felt sorry for it, I guess!

I just stopped in my local goodwill today and found a cool little Sony Trinitron from March of 1984 with 13 push button tuning in good working order (No UHF on these??). It appears to be a 15" or so for 20 bucks. Would it be worth it to get it? Interesting how these TV's are flat vertically but curved horizontally.

There is UHF, you have to pick what "numbers" you want to tune them in on and find your stations with the tuning buttons behind the little door on the front. I have one from '81 it's a KV1217. Picked it up at GoodWill about 5 years ago for 10 bucks, still works like new. Maybe I'll bring it up out of the basement tonight. I might post a pic if I can hijack the neighbors Wi-Fi

Just before putting it back on the GW shelf I noticed that little door. It's on the side of this unit. I really want this little TV but I'm just wondering if it's worth 20 bucks. I really wish goodwill was more garage sale-like so you can swindle a little.:scratch2:

If it is mint I would grab it, those are great sets. I used to use mine in the bedroom all the time. 20 bucks isn't bad for a tv that will more than likely last for another 24 years.

I'd take it for $20 also, they perform well most of the time.

Hit a thrift this morning and passed up a beautful set. Was a late model BPC by RCA. :thumbsdn: Think it was a CTC-203 or so....pass. At $30 bucks I'll buy a nice lunch instead lol.

The SA in Fontana CA has what I think is a 40" Mitsubishi, they want $150 for it though.

They have a Pioneer LD/CD player for $15 too but I think it may have problems.

I'd say it's worth $20 if it works good and is clean. The real question is: What is it worth to you? It's a fact that even '80's TV's are rapidly disappering and I'd come near giving $20 for a good quality '80's set before I would give $5 for a two year old Funai special. Of course, to most of the public, this TV would be worthless and they would have to be paid $20 to take it. This TV could very well sit there until they drop the price, it could get thrown out, or someone might actually buy it. It's like the '69 Zenith B&W console that I paid $50 for at the "thrift" store a few months ago. Yes, the TV was priced at least $40 higher than it's real worth; but, I was afraid of what might happen if I didn't go ahead and get it. So, I paid the $50 and brought it home. That's one way to insure that it does not get thrown out or gutted and made into a fish tank!

Well, I think I'm going to pick up The Trinitron on Monday as long as it is still there!

Cool! post pics if you get it. Good luck!

KV-1217 from GW
 

I have had this for 7 years not 5, I realized that after thinking about what apartment I was referring to. Here are some pics of it today. I put in the channel numbers from an old VCR, I didn't have one for the last channel. Set was made September, 1981
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...1/000_0106.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...1/000_0108.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...1/000_0109.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...1/000_0104.jpg

Keep your eye out for those CRT collectors from 2050 who have come back with $500 to clean house...:)

1981 Trinitron. Sony (at their best?) Lookin' good!

Thanks zenith2134, I used to use it in the second apartment I had back in '01 into '02. We couldn't afford cable. I've been using it all day now, I forgot just how good the picture was, it's been almost a year since I plugged it in.

Nice!!

The little trinitron I'm planning to get looks a lot like that but the speaker and picture adjustments are under the screen. The channel buttons run along the side with an extra button that I believe says "hi-8". Underneath that is a front coaxial jack. Seems to be an interesting set.

I just got my Trinitron! It really puts out a great picture! The only problem is the sound gets extremely distorted more than half way up.

I asked the people at the GW when they were going to stop selling CRT type TV's and they said they plan on keep selling them after the digital transition.

Post a thread about your Trinitron! It sounds very cool. I have not seen one like you have, I don't think. Is it pushbutton volume or knob? Some Sonys had a lot of bass so that could be why it gets distorted. Or it in the case of a knob, it could be a dirty pot. Mine has quite a bit of bass and gets a little distorted at the higher volume but sounds nice altogether. Can't wait to see yours in action!!