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I have caught several guys when they were closing and got some good stuff because of it, mostly parts. I know I should do more but partly I'm a procrastinator and partly I'm still just a little too shy. My usual excuse is that, if I found a bunch of stuff, what would I do with it? I'm bursting at the seams as it is!
There are a couple shops left in town; one has moved more into appliances. I don't think he would have anything old, from what I know about him. The other guy is drifting towards retirement-I stop by and see him now and again. He has some neat things-store displays, a "drugstore" tube tester and some tubes, some earlier Sams. I asked him last month about crt's but he said he didn't have any. There is a third guy who has a CB shop and said he would be retiring at the end of next year. In a different world I would talk to him about taking over the business...I know him well enough, I think he'll let me know before he tosses anything.
I know one guy who has worked on TV's on the side for decades and has buildings full of sets. I've been in the front of his main building and it was so piled up with stuff that you couldn't see more than 15'. Mounds of solid state stuff. I wonder whats in the back-gotta be some tube stuff, right? He tells me of a Predicta stashed away somewhere. I need to write him a letter-can never reach him on the phone as he does shift work. I think at this point we all need to make an effort to follow the leads because these guys won't be around much longer. I know of several other shops within 30 minutes of here that just might have something. About 14 years ago I sent out postcards to a number of shops saying that I would haul junk TV's for free and this led to many finds, eventually. Last month I sent out 2 or 3 letters to some local shops but got no response. I also should check out the one remaining electronic parts distributor in the area-they are in an old building, who knows what might be in the back room or upstairs? I emailed them once regarding old crt's but never received a response.
One thing with these places, they have been working in the business all their lives and often do not have any apprecitation for tube stuff, so they just toss it. Many have no idea that anyone, anywhere, cares about it.
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Bryan
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