How to find thrift stores?

[Sebastian]

A total noobie question....pliz help.
How do you go about finding thrift stores, flea markets, and other kinds of places like salvation army.

and another question...where u see a bunch of games for the same price, what is a good price for.

Complete DC games
SNES games (cart only)

.......

and one more question outside of the box. What is a resonable price to pay for a new and complete Dreamcast in box?

- THANKS

[kainemaxwell]

Check the Yellow Pages.

[max 330 mega]

thrift stores are easy to find, look in phone book

i wouldnt pay more than 30-35 for a mint boxed dreamcast.

[Sebastian]

is the phone book the only place to look? and what about those games? any ideas for resonable prices...i dont wanna get riped off

[sisko]

Buy these books:

http://www.digitpress.com/dpg_plug.htm

[Sebastian]

so what do i look for on yellow pages?

Thrift store?
Salvation army?
flea market?

anything else?

[vision89]

You can probably do a search on the internet to find local flea markets and thrift stores, I'd try that if I were you. When it comes to pricing the DP guides that sisko pointed out are invaluble. The $25 I spent on the first DP guide is probably one of the best I've ever spent, and I'm sure it will be the same for the new guide. Just keep in mind that the prices are a guidline, so you shouldn't feel like you are getting ripped off if something costs a little more than in the DP guide, and you shouldn't feel like you are ripping somebody else off if you buy something for less than it is listed in the DP guide.

[vision89]

Here's a link to find what flea markets are in your area http://www.fleamarketguide.com

[Sebastian]

yea but again...what are the key words to search for on internet/yellowpages

sorry - im really new :embarrassed:

[vision89]

Click on the link above your last post, then click on the state you live in and PRESTO!

[Sebastian]

thanks for the link. Im sure it will help out a lot. Now about the yellow pages. What keywords should i look for

[mhsy2a]

The Salvation Army and Goodwill are the two biggest chains of national thrift stores, so look those up in the phone book.

[Chunky]

find a diner with a local old lady coffee clutch...hit on them then ask about where the deals are on wicker baskets.

[vision89]

Once again I present a link! This one will help you find a Goodwill thrift store near you.
http://locator.goodwill.org/

[Griking]

You can find local Salvation Army thrift stores HERE (http://www.satruck.com//FindStore.asp)

You can find local Goodwill thrift stores HERE (http://locator.goodwill.org/)

[wufners]

www.dexonline.com

Online Yellow pages. Just type in "thrift store", your city and state (assuming yer in the states.)

You could also try searching for "video games" or "pawn shops." You never know.

Thrift stores to look for:

Goodwill--I've had the most luck at these (not counting flea markets)
Value Village--over priced and evil, but you'll make the occasional find
Salvation Army--I've never found anything at one of these, but others have
St. Vincent de Pauls--again, I've never found anything here, but you never know.

[ianoid]

thanks for the link. Im sure it will help out a lot. Now about the yellow pages. What keywords should i look for

Sorry to be harsh, but YELLOW PAGES. They are free, and you have them if you have a phone. Try looking yourself. Ever look things up for any purpose? Look up multiple headers. Then get your parents (sorry, I had to) to drive you to them and find out which look promising for return trips ie which ones have games. Now get out there and stop asking! You'll figure it out!

[Hovoc]

or yahoo'com yellow pages


just look for words like loan, pawn, thrift, coin & jewelry, etc


i think someone said if its got bars on the window, then stay away from it ;)

[portnoyd]

Then get your parents (sorry, I had to) to drive you to them and find out which look promising for return trips ie which ones have games. Now get out there and stop asking! You'll figure it out!

<Cameron-Frye>
Ian Baronofsky, you're my hero.
</Cameron-Frye>

The easiest way to answer your questions is this:

1. Goto google.com
2. Type in words in question or just put in the question
3. Hit enter
4. Read, rinse, repeat.

If google doesn't help, then ask.

dave

[Wavelflack]

DAV is another "chain" (Disabled Army Veterans, or something.)

Usually called "DAV Thrift Store"

[Black Dragon]

We have ALOT of flea markets in south Jersey! :D :D

[neuropolitique]

Goodwill--I've had the most luck at these (not counting flea markets)
Value Village--over priced and evil, but you'll make the occasional find
Salvation Army--I've never found anything at one of these, but others have
St. Vincent de Pauls--again, I've never found anything here, but you never know.

Are by any chance from Atlanta? We've the same mix here. If you are, you're missing out on the Metro/Last Chance stores. Some good finds there. Only thing I've ever gotten from the Catholics (St. Vincent) is an old Apple Scribe Printer for 5 bucks. Otherwise, if they weren't right next to a Goodwill, I'd never go in.

Advice on topic. Find a Goodwill, then ask about other area stores. Mine provided me with a complete list of all of their area stores, with directions. I stress their because not all Goodwills are owned by the same folks.

[wufners]

Are by any chance from Atlanta? We've the same mix here. If you are, you're missing out on the Metro/Last Chance stores. Some good finds there. Only thing I've ever gotten from the Catholics (St. Vincent) is an old Apple Scribe Printer for 5 bucks. Otherwise, if they weren't right next to a Goodwill, I'd never go in.

On the contrary, I live at almost the exact opposite of you--Seattle. That's interesting to know that you have the same mix. I was wondering about that as I typed up the list. You're one up on me, tho, we don't have any Metro/Last Chance stores.

Well . . . come to think of it, maybe I have heard of a couple of Last Chance Thrifts lurking about. I've never been to one, tho.

The only thing I've ever seen at St. Vincent is a Nintendo power pad. It was only five bucks, but I passed. I know of 4 of these stores in my area and visited them probably a total of 5 times combined.

Oh! And another place to check for old games is used music stores. Not all of them, to be sure, but a few may stock vintage video game stuff. There's a chain around here called Al's music who does. They're a bit on the spendy side. One of 'em was selling an Intellivision for $80! True, it was in its box, but still . . .

[davidleeroth]

Drive around. A lot.

[-hellvin-]

Drive around. A lot.

Yep, that helps if you're in a large city. Back about half a year ago I just made sweeps through phoenix and found billions of pawn/thrift shops. Found some allright stuff doing this, but it's very time consuming, and you'll usually turn up nothing.

[JJNova]

Here's a link to find what flea markets are in your area http://www.fleamarketguide.com

This was extremely handy


Drive around. A lot.

That method actually works! Thats how I find thrift stores. All though most of my success came from the word "Pawn" and the Yellow Pages.

[Flack]

If you can't use a phonebook, how on earth can you play all those terribly complicated games?

[christianscott27]

well now that the obvious responses are covered its time for the advanced course, well anyways some less obvious choices.

take note of churches when passing, many churches run thrift stores with low profiles, often its just a case of seeing the sign on the door. these shops can be goldmines as they (a) get family donations which means games (b) get little traffic so they're not picked over (c) lil old lady volunteer staff give sweet deals. the larger catholic churches and big evangelicals almost always have a thrift somewhere.

also keep your eyes peeled when passing the low end strip malls, US-1 is studded with low rent thrifts. also know the other variations on thrifts like consignment shops or those stores that sell used kids stuff, used record and or video stores too. lastly i cannot stress this enough, when you get in the store ask for games theres often more than meets the eye to a thrift

as for flea markets, find one and then ask the vendors there about other markets. the best flea markets are the ones that turn over their goods regualarly, outside ones are better than indoor ones where people set up little shops. dont waste much time or money on the "video game guy's table", he knows too much to give you a great deal. go early and get to the junk tables.

[Sniderman]

take note of churches when passing, many churches run thrift stores with low profiles, often its just a case of seeing the sign on the door. these shops can be goldmines as they (a) get family donations which means games (b) get little traffic so they're not picked over (c) lil old lady volunteer staff give sweet deals. the larger catholic churches and big evangelicals almost always have a thrift somewhere.[quote] A genius suggestion. I may also add, watch for garage sales hosted by churches. There are always slopping over with videogames, I've found. Don't know why - they just are.

[quote] when you get in the store ask for games theres often more than meets the eye to a thrift Ditto for any garage sales you visit. Always, always, always ask. I've scored 1 out of 10 times. Sure, it's only 10% return, but that's a higher chance than "Not asking at all."