Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MineralMan

(146,189 posts)
18. Yes. The hunt is great fun.
Sat May 1, 2021, 03:56 PM
May 2021

I specialized in early technology items, and did pretty well. What looked like an old radio or calculator to everyone else was something I recognized as having historical and collector value. I have a very good memory, so I recognized things that had significance to collectors, and bought that stuff.

Another of my huge successes was a $10 find at a garage sale. It was the very first AM/FM radio receiver produced by Philco. Amazingly, it still worked, so I didn't have to do any electronic restoration. I recognized it, based on my early interest in radios and electronics as a child. I knew what it was on sight. Sold it to a collector for $1000.

I lived for that kind of find. There are people out there who collect first examples of almost everything technological. If you can find them for cheap, you can do very well. Problem is that most of them ended up in a landfill at some point.

Just the owner of Goodwill is getting rich Claire Oh Nette May 2021 #1
They don't make less than minimum wage. I worked Luciferous May 2021 #2
There are lots of urban myths about Goodwill. MineralMan May 2021 #9
The Goodwill owner recently sold his bldg in a choice San Francisco location for $8m. displacedtexan May 2021 #20
Some are bogus but there is a good amout of truth. ForgoTheConsequence May 2021 #21
I use FBMarketplace, and donae to women's shelters Claire Oh Nette May 2021 #10
Whatever. It's a source of affordable goods for people MineralMan May 2021 #4
If you think Mark Curran Owns Goodwill, You're Incorrect MineralMan May 2021 #8
I don't. Claire Oh Nette May 2021 #12
Most average thrift store shoppers aren't looking for the same kinds of items that ppl with PortTack May 2021 #3
Yes, exactly. MineralMan May 2021 #5
I just go for old computers and cell phones Watchfoxheadexplodes May 2021 #6
Found a computer on display and operating. keithbvadu2 May 2021 #22
what's the gripe with reusing amazon boxes? FSogol May 2021 #7
Depends what you're selling. MineralMan May 2021 #11
Yup. In theory, steak without the sizzle is fine, but... Girard442 May 2021 #13
Exactly. I had a business selling mineral specimens to collectors MineralMan May 2021 #16
My fiancee ordered me some golf club head covers as a present obamanut2012 May 2021 #27
Here's a great charitable use for old Amazon boxes: Totally Tunsie May 2021 #26
Here's a great charitable use for those Amazon boxes: Totally Tunsie May 2021 #25
Where I used to live the nearest one was Alpha Thrift, which benefitted the local ARC program... Hekate May 2021 #14
I think many people - including me - go to thrift shops, yard sales, estate sales, etc. because Vinca May 2021 #15
Yes. The hunt is great fun. MineralMan May 2021 #18
I just just to find old hickory golf clubs and certain books obamanut2012 May 2021 #28
Saw some asshole buy a bunch of baby clothes in my neighborhood ismnotwasm May 2021 #17
Yeah. Thrift store reselling is a lousy business in the end. MineralMan May 2021 #19
Interesting nt XanaDUer2 May 2021 #23
My cousin's wife started a baby/toddler used clothing business TheRealNorth May 2021 #24
I live in a small touristy town in Northern California. Mr.Bill May 2021 #29
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Are Thrift Shop Resellers...»Reply #18