No more Tvs at Goodwill

[Electrohome]

In this town of less than 40K, there just isn't that many good ones. Most of the yard/garage sales are a joke. Most of the yard/garage sellers around here are young couples in their 20's and 30's just trying to sell off their unwanted clothes and modern furniture. Oh, you might find a 2001 19" Orion or some POS like that; but, nothing really of interest.

[radiotvnut]

That's my problem around here. Back in the '90's, it was not uncommon to find tube and early SS TV's, console stereo's, tube radio's, etc. That was when all the older crowd was either downsizing or dying off and their old stuff had to be gotten rid of. Now, it's mostly worn out early '90's and newer stuff. Most of the console stereo finds consist of those cheap particleboard jobs from the mid '70's. When I find a "real" console stereo, the seller usually wants an ungodly price because "it's old and in a beautiful cabinet". I probably have not been to 5 yard/garage sales in the past five years for the very reasons you mentioned. The SA is the main place around here that I've been finding TV's that are anywhere close to interesting; and, that does not happen everytime I visit. I used to find good TV's at the dump. Now, they are either busted in 5 million pieces or there's a deputy waiting to write a $100+ ticket for "dumpster diving" (I won't even get started on that subject). I have placed ad's in the paper for "free pickup of non working TV's". I usually have to get 50 BPC sets before something of interest comes along. After Christmas, I'm thinking of running an ad something on the order of "WANTED: Older TV's, working of not, from the '40's through the early '70's. Also, maybe things will get better when Spring comes around. That's when people do a lot of cleaning out. One thing is certain. We must hit the pavement NOW in order to find these old sets. I suspect in 10 years, pre mid-70's TV's, stereo's, etc. will be almost impossible to find.

[leadlike]

Wow. That is not the situation at all here. At both Goodwill and Salvation Army they are taking in plenty of older tvs. In fact, I took a look today and they must be selling, as I saw a newer space command set was gone. Now that I think about it, the BPC sets were in the MINORITY at the thrifts. I saw a lot of early to mid 80s classics-system 3s, sentrys, colortraks, etc. SA apparently thinks nothing about putting out B&W tabletops and mechanical tuners for that matter. I only saw one console-a Hitachi that has a caddy for the remote built into the front of the set. I don't think you can change the channels without it. They also had a Mitsubishi with a mechanical tuner sitting in back. I did not note the SA prices, but GW seems to be charging ten bucks across the board. Looks like Lancaster is your destination for quality tvs.

[leadlike]

To comment on the 'stroller people' they do annoy me, but the absolute worst has to be the young couples who live in those McMansion type homes. They have absolutely no possessions. For the stuff that they try to sell, they just have no concept-my favorite was the time my girlfriend picked up a stained t-shirt and asked for the price-$25!!! 'Well, we paid $35 for it new...' I still laugh when I think about the lecture she gave them on selling things properly at a yard sale.

On the flip side-I did get a Kodak camera from one of these homes. I paid ten bucks for it 'because it was old and you can't get film anymore' Ha! this was a 1931 Gift Camera designed by Walter Teague! Even in the most wretched condition it's worth 150 bucks.

[Electrohome]

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[zenithfan1]

Very interesting reading guys, you have made a lot of good points. It seems that the GW is still accepting tvs in some areas. In my area and Chicagoland they are not, a friend of mine has also said they are not and he lives outside of Chicago. I think all of them will stop soon. And one last thing, I too hate those "McMansions" I work in Lake Forest and have seen several nice old homes be plowed over for those things.

[Electrohome]

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[zenithfan1]

As for your sexuality, you are quite brave to blatantly come out and say it. More power to you, I for one do not discriminate that behavior as I have had gay friends and they were/are wonderful people. What people do behind closed doors is their business, who am I to say otherwise. You are right on about saving our heritage, most people don't care anymore which is very sad. I try to preserve what I can when I can and when I can afford to. I often wonder where my sets will be 50 or more years from now. I do have to say though, a 2008 plasma tv would be lucky to make it to 2010, I doubt any will be around in 2108. Things just aren't what they were long ago, another important reason to preserve the old stuff while we can and are able to do so. Parts will dry up one day and we will face parting out one good set to fix another, I dread that day!

[matt_s78mn]

Originally Posted by Electrohome

I have also mildly associated older TVs w/Gay Pride or the Pride Rainbow as well and I think that rainbow very much applies to all us collectors who each do their part to preserve our Electronic Heritage

Electrohome, with the pride flag representing life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, and spirit - I would be interested if you could go into more detail as to how you have associated electronics collecting with the pride flag and/or GLBT issues. With the gay community being very "in the now" and pop culture driven. It is difficult to find anyone interested in electronics in general... let alone vintage electronics and collecting.

[zenithfan1]

Good point Matt, I too thought of that last night. Is it because of the "antiques collecting" stereotype? Gay or not, many people collect vintage electronics it seems. I have met all types.

[JesusChrysler]

My GW is full of "useless" TV's where I want there to be unwanted audio gear. Sigh.



Matt

[zenithfan1]

Aint that the luck! LOL! BTW, nice avatar! I might change mine to something like that, I'm getting bored of looking at a roundie that I get to see everyday in my house!

[timofred]

One of the local stores sends any single audio component to the tip without even testing because they are "useless"

[matt_s78mn]

Originally Posted by zenithfan1

Good point Matt, I too thought of that last night. Is it because of the "antiques collecting" stereotype? Gay or not, many people collect vintage electronics it seems. I have met all types.

I suppose you're right about the stereotype - especially in a general sense. What I meant in my earlier reply though was that it's just not easy to find glbt people involved in the electronics or (specifically) electronics collecting hobby.

[Electrohome]

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