Unique Finds at the Thriftstore

I’m always amazed at what I come across when I go thrift store shopping.  Certain things I’d never expect to find, but as people donate more and more, I’m finding things I’d only expect to see for sale at big box or high end retail stores.

For example, I recently found an outdoor heater of all things! I so would have gotten this if I had a yard.  I love to be outdoors but Colorado nights get quite chilly.  Normally these go for over $100.00, and this is a really sweet deal at $21.00.   PERFECT item to purchase since summer is here.

If you are a big time wine connoisseur, then you will need this awesome little cooler (could go out on your patio with the heater for a summer party).  I’ve never seen anything like this at a thrift store! Again, it’s a steal at $40.00, since these go new at about $175.00.

To almost create an ensemble with the two previous items, a wonderful patio wicker chair.  This brand new and ready for assembly!  Since it wasn’t donated and was purchased by Goodwill, it goes for about $75.00.  But that’s still a great deal since it would be more than $200 brand new.

If you get tired of being outdoors and enjoying the luxuries of life there, you can come inside, turn on your WII and  mercilessly defeat your friends in bowling with this new controller.  Everything with WII is fairly expensive, so to find a brand new WII product is a great find!

I highly suggest you find out what kinda stuff you can find at your local thrift store, you never know, you may end up with something expensive you have been searching for at a great price!

Thrifting for Electronics at Goodwill!

This afternoon, as I was checking out all the electronics at Goodwill, I heard a man on the phone. He mentioned that he got TV’s for all of the kids rooms (and there I see a cheeky happy boy standing next to HIS TV, smiling and so excited!) and that he was moving onto DVD players next.

What a great idea!  Technology changes so fast that Goodwill is stocked with slightly old, but still working, electronics that are discarded for newer, ‘better’ models.  Honestly, the TV and DVD player display at the Parker Goodwill could compete against a department store or a big box electronic store!  Every TV they had was out and working for people like the gentleman I heard to purchase at a deep discount.  If I hadn’t made it a rule not to have a TV in the bedroom, this is where I’d purchase one.  This is a great way to save money!

The DVD and VHS players were abundant, inexpensive and working.  The dual displays covered an entire wall.  This is something so great that I have not seen in other second-hand stores!  I was so excited to see these items beautifully placed and out for people to purchase.  Why spend a whole bunch of money on a flatscreen TV that has a certain life span? You could buy at least five TVs at a second hand store for what it would cost to get a brand new one that will just be outdated the minute you get it home anyway.  Plus, you are helping our environment and keeping our landfills less full.  What a good feeling to be able to save money and get what you want or need through recycling!

I even saw PlayStation and other gaming equipment and games for sale.  I’m not much of a gamer, but that particular wall area was lined with teenagers looking for items.  This is truly exciting because I find it a rare occasion when I see teens in a second-hand store.

Before you go to an electronics store, you may want to check your local Goodwill for a bargain!

The risks and rewards of purchasing second hand electronics

The other day, I did something a little nutty. I purchased a Hewlett-Packard series 4350 All-In-One fax/scan/color print copy machine for $5.00 at a yard sale.  I knew there was the potential it wouldn’t work or would be overly outdated, but for a measly $5, I couldn’t resist.

Purchasing a second-hand printer can have its risks.  For example, the disc to download the driver to operate the system on your computer is long gone, along with any instructions.  Or, it could be missing a cord that allows it to plug into either an outlet or a computer.

I was hasty in my purchase, and this printer turned out to have both of those problems.  I was wondering how I could find a replacement cord to use, when I remembered that Goodwill had all kinds of these type of accessories.  I also remembered that I am one to hang onto these things in case of these situations.  Luckily, plan A worked!  I found a perfect fit for the printer to plug into the computer.

Next, I had to look up and find the printer driver download so it would work on it.  Because the printer is over 4 years old, my newer computer couldn’t locate it.  (many times a computer has drivers already installed).  I downloaded the driver, connected the computer to the printer and wallah!  It worked perfectly.  I have gone a full 2 years with a dysfunctional printer and finally have a replacement!

New, printers like this go for over $100.00 and are still for sale today.  They do need print cartridges, but this particular printer is on the low-end of cartridge cost, so this was an additional and pleasant surprise.  My home office is one step closer to being upgraded and this step saved me about $50.00.

This was a win, and the risk was minimal.  With Goodwill presenting options of finding electronic accessories, I can’t lose!