goodwill finds...

[GOJO]

Hi all,

New to the forum but have been an avid gamer and collector since the 80's. I just recently started collecting Atari carts again (spent most of my years collecting rare games on other consoles)and found a few good deals at the local Goodwill for around $5. They also had some loose carts like Circus there but I'll have to grab them when I get back over that way in a few days. Anyway AtariAge thanks for peeping my post.

 

[+save2600]

Boxed games are always a good find. Especially that No Escape!

[VectorGamer]

Sweet!

[jboypacman]

Very nice.

[Despina83]

Man, I don't know how you guys find this stuff at Goodwill. Everytime I go there, they have ZERO games of any sort. Salvation Army, the only thing I ever saw there that was even realted to games was a N64 game holder. The place had plenty of records and 8 track tapes and even an accordion, but absolutely no video games. Play N Trade is the only place in town that ever has Atari games, and all they ever have are Combat, Space Invaders, etc.

[Kurisu]

I have no luck with goodwill and video games either. A few NES and Genesis games I don't want at the Austin Pea one, otherwise, just good Record finds occasionally.

 

Saw a 4 switcher and a few common carts at one, in a bag, for about 40 bucks. Wasn't worth it to me at that time.

[GOJO]

I have no luck with goodwill and video games either. A few NES and Genesis games I don't want at the Austin Pea one, otherwise, just good Record finds occasionally.

 

Saw a 4 switcher and a few common carts at one, in a bag, for about 40 bucks. Wasn't worth it to me at that time.

It's kind of nice to have 4 goodwill stores within an hours reach from where I live...

[Catsmasher]

You are lucky. I have three Goodwill stores near me and have seen ZERO video game stuff at any of them in over five years. Zero, nada, zilch. Unless you are looking for old clothes - Goodwill isn't worthmuch.

 

We have a local used game store called McVans and they usually have plenty of carts. They get systems from time to time but are pricier than garage sales. The good thing is they will take a system or game back if it doesn't work or stops working in 30 days so you don't risk getting stuck. I had to take back a Saturn console, a super NES console and a Gamegear and they replaced them no problem.

 

But yea, for video games our Goodwills stink.

[VectorGamer]

For the most part I have only found NES games at Goodwill or Salvation Army. I picked up a few PowerJoys, an N64, Game Cube and PS2 as well.

[jeremysart]

For a lot of the people who cant find anything at the thrift stores, the key is to find out what days they put out new stuff, and go early! When you go later in the day, or days after stuff was put out, its likely other vendors such as play n trade or eBay vendors have already vultured everything good.

 

I have found some nice stuff by showing up early. Good N64 games, rare Genesis games, and most recently, a Model 1 Genesis with Sega CD.

 

Its hit or miss really, you just got to frequent.

[VectorGamer]

For a lot of the people who cant find anything at the thrift stores, the key is to find out what days they put out new stuff, and go early! When you go later in the day, or days after stuff was put out, its likely other vendors such as play n trade or eBay vendors have already vultured everything good.

 

I have found some nice stuff by showing up early. Good N64 games, rare Genesis games, and most recently, a Model 1 Genesis with Sega CD.

 

Its hit or miss really, you just got to frequent.

 

I always thought the first half of the week was when you wanted to go. I figured people would donate whatever they couldn't sell at the weekend garage sale.

 

My last score was a bunch of NES carts and manuals bagged up in a shopping cart at Salvation Army. I now know to check the cart as it's loaded with new stuff that they have yet to put out on the shelves. I figure what do they care if it's bought so long that you don't leave the cart a mess when you're done rooting through it.

[tz101]

I have five Goodwill stores, four Salvation Army's, and two St. Vincent Depaul stores within 40 minutes of my house. Key is going often, and especially on weekdays when most of the Ebay vultures are working. Another factor: shopgoodwill.com. Some of the Goodwills only list their video game stuff on the auction site. I see it as greedy and that is why I don't recommend ever giving video games or systems to Goodwill. Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul both put their stuff out for local sale and are reasonable on their prices.

[Rik]

I have five Goodwill stores, four Salvation Army's, and two St. Vincent Depaul stores within 40 minutes of my house. Key is going often, and especially on weekdays when most of the Ebay vultures are working. Another factor: shopgoodwill.com. Some of the Goodwills only list their video game stuff on the auction site. I see it as greedy and that is why I don't recommend ever giving video games or systems to Goodwill. Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul both put their stuff out for local sale and are reasonable on their prices.

Yeah,i feel the same way,these places are starting to get greedy..Eventually,all the others will follow through,only a matter of time.

[S1500]

I bought a N64 controller at Goodwill, and just this morning sold my other N64 controller to a coworker for his son for $10.

[GOJO]

I have five Goodwill stores, four Salvation Army's, and two St. Vincent Depaul stores within 40 minutes of my house. Key is going often, and especially on weekdays when most of the Ebay vultures are working. Another factor: shopgoodwill.com. Some of the Goodwills only list their video game stuff on the auction site. I see it as greedy and that is why I don't recommend ever giving video games or systems to Goodwill. Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul both put their stuff out for local sale and are reasonable on their prices.

Yeah,i feel the same way,these places are starting to get greedy..Eventually,all the others will follow through,only a matter of time.

Well I noticed when I went back the other carts were gone. They did have MASH, Raiders of the lost Ark, and Combat boxed..but someone grabbed them. I also agree that its a hit or miss thing. I guess thats what makes it fun going there. I also found a few cool non video game items there over the years.

[Benzman66]

Don't forget, they also have a website with systems and games listed most of the time. Just go to the site and enter Atari in the search area.

shopgoodwill.com

 

Just checked and there are 22 listings as of right now.

Atari

Edited November 20, 2009 by Benzman66

[Rik]

Thrift shops around here are raising their prices.All game carts were $2.99,they now are $5.99!They also caught on to the buyers value on Atari Heavy sixes.An h-6 could be had for $7.99 just a year ago,now they're $39.99,regardless of condition.That's still a good price for a H-6,but still the fact the prices skyrocketed sucks.I think some big mouths were hinting at the stores how valuable these are to collectors.Ebay is to blame also,Thrifts and Goodwills SHOULDN'T boost up prices based on what they sell for on Ebay.Whats worse is when the flea market vendors start with the "well,it sells for this(enter amount)on Ebay".I say to those people"well this isn't Ebay!,its a FLEA market,you want to sell at Ebay prices,than go sell at Ebay"!!!A flea market is for bargaining,not getting top dollar for your stuff,period.This is getting really ridiculous.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Rik

[shadow460]

I agree with Rik about the flea market jerks.

"It goes for x on ebay".

"So you're saying I need to go home and get on ebay, then. Goodbye."

 

When I go to buy an un priced item and the seller suddenly gets on his computer to see what it's worth, I usually walk away instantly. Other times, if I know it really is rare, I'll have a price in mind that I want to pay, but I wait for their offer and I don't reveal mine unless they say and act like they really don't know what to charge me.

[Shawn]

I got an NES at goodwill the other day for $2.99 but the real score was a $300 orbital telescope for $8 bucks

[GOJO]

I got an NES at goodwill the other day for $2.99 but the real score was a $300 orbital telescope for $8 bucks

Now thats a sweet deal!

[cybercylon]

I have no luck with goodwill and video games either. A few NES and Genesis games I don't want at the Austin Pea one, otherwise, just good Record finds occasionally.

 

Saw a 4 switcher and a few common carts at one, in a bag, for about 40 bucks. Wasn't worth it to me at that time.

It's kind of nice to have 4 goodwill stores within an hours reach from where I live...

 

I have about 4 within an hours reach of me as well, and I'll I've ever found were a couple of NES and SNES carts.

[tz101]

I have no luck with goodwill and video games either. A few NES and Genesis games I don't want at the Austin Pea one, otherwise, just good Record finds occasionally.

 

Saw a 4 switcher and a few common carts at one, in a bag, for about 40 bucks. Wasn't worth it to me at that time.

It's kind of nice to have 4 goodwill stores within an hours reach from where I live...

 

I have about 4 within an hours reach of me as well, and I'll I've ever found were a couple of NES and SNES carts.

 

Again, that's because of Goodwill's greed factor these days. Some stores never offer a single video gaming item for sale at the local level. Instead, they put it out on shopgoodwill.com for greedy prices. I had a friend who donated his NES and twenty game carts to his local Goodwill store about a year ago. After he told me about it, I went in several times over a three-week period to see if I could buy any of the items. They never offered them for local sale. I will say it again: NEVER DONATE GAMES OR SYSTEMS TO GOODWILL. They don't care a bit about helping local people to get bargains.

 

At least Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul put their items out for local sale at reasonable prices.

[Zwackery]

Again, that's because of Goodwill's greed factor these days. Some stores never offer a single video gaming item for sale at the local level. Instead, they put it out on shopgoodwill.com for greedy prices. I had a friend who donated his NES and twenty game carts to his local Goodwill store about a year ago. After he told me about it, I went in several times over a three-week period to see if I could buy any of the items. They never offered them for local sale. I will say it again: NEVER DONATE GAMES OR SYSTEMS TO GOODWILL. They don't care a bit about helping local people to get bargains.

While I tend to shop independent thrift stores, I think calling Goodwill "greedy" is ignorant. The corporation woke up to the fact that they could make more money selling video games online than in their stores, and given that their mission is to put people into training programs and get them employment, they are seeking to increase their revenue so they can more fully realize their goals. If someone turns in a rare cart that is worth $40 in the open market, why should they offer it to you as a $2 bargain? Just because it was first donated to them?

 

On those occasions where I do shop Goodwill, I tend to still find very good deals on books, household goods, seasonal items, CDs, and clothing. I also still run across video games, but typically these are rather common ones.

[tz101]

Again, that's because of Goodwill's greed factor these days. Some stores never offer a single video gaming item for sale at the local level. Instead, they put it out on shopgoodwill.com for greedy prices. I had a friend who donated his NES and twenty game carts to his local Goodwill store about a year ago. After he told me about it, I went in several times over a three-week period to see if I could buy any of the items. They never offered them for local sale. I will say it again: NEVER DONATE GAMES OR SYSTEMS TO GOODWILL. They don't care a bit about helping local people to get bargains.

While I tend to shop independent thrift stores, I think calling Goodwill "greedy" is ignorant. The corporation woke up to the fact that they could make more money selling video games online than in their stores, and given that their mission is to put people into training programs and get them employment, they are seeking to increase their revenue so they can more fully realize their goals. If someone turns in a rare cart that is worth $40 in the open market, why should they offer it to you as a $2 bargain? Just because it was first donated to them?

 

On those occasions where I do shop Goodwill, I tend to still find very good deals on books, household goods, seasonal items, CDs, and clothing. I also still run across video games, but typically these are rather common ones.

 

I think your statements are ignorant. Robbing from the local community to feed the wealthier online shoppers who live in more prosperous markets tends to "bleed" certain areas of the country dry of games and systems. I also have a problem with Goodwill drop-off boxes being stationed in smaller towns around my area, yet they don't turn around and resell any of that stuff in the same towns. Goodwill, by their very name, was founded to build goodwill and trust among local communities. They are not serving that purpose very well by taking all of a certain type of goods out of midwestern towns and cities, and shipping them all to the east and west coast markets where people tend to pay ridiculous prices. Listing NES game carts at $5 each on their website only serves to help drive up inflation for those goods in all markets, despite the fact that no collector in their right mind will pay that for common titles. Goodwill has been bitten by the Ebay greedy bug. Basing their prices on Ebay stupidity serves no one well. Be careful who you call ignorant because you obviously don't have a clue.

[tremoloman2006]

Man, I don't know how you guys find this stuff at Goodwill. Everytime I go there, they have ZERO games of any sort. Salvation Army, the only thing I ever saw there that was even realted to games was a N64 game holder. The place had plenty of records and 8 track tapes and even an accordion, but absolutely no video games. Play N Trade is the only place in town that ever has Atari games, and all they ever have are Combat, Space Invaders, etc.

 

I know... every place I go its the same thing... absolute shit.