You're not going to believe this; but, someone actually requested that I do a rant video about how most current thrift stores operate today. So, here we go.
Back in the '80's and '90's, I could walk into just about any thrift store and buy vintage electronics for very reasonable prices. I also got a lot of good records for reasonable prices. And, the people running these stores were usually easy to deal with and they acted like they appreciated your business.
Unfortunately, it's not often that way in 2012. Most thrift stores today, especially the "non profit charity" stores, are very proud of their junk.
Now, keep in mind that most of their items are donated; so, they SHOULD be happy to get whatever they can for them. However, that's usually not the case. In some cases, I've seen garbage at the thrift store that was priced higher than a new item from wal-mart. The Starvation Army here thinks nothing of pricing VCR's and DVD player's in the $20-$40 range and most of them can't be easily tested and there is almost never a remote to be found. Excuse me; but, I can buy a new DVD player that works and has a warranty for what they want for some used junk that may not even work.
And, they consider anything over 10 years old as vintage, antique, or collectible and they ask some insane price for it. Of course, that only applies to the thrift stores that actually put old stuff out for sale. Many of them will put the new silver plastic crap out for sale; but, will toss the vintage stuff in the dumpster because they consider it obsolete and figure no one would want it.
I tried to get the manager of the local SA, and other thrift stores, to save any older non-working electronics that they'd otherwise throw away. I made it clear that I'd BUY such electronics; but, I was always told that they couldn't be bothered and any non-working equipment would automatically go in the dumpster. If they had a grain of sense, they'd realize that the $5 or $10 that I'd pay for something would be more than the dumpster would pay; but, I guess they can't be bothered with such small amounts of money. You can bet that when Christmas time approaches, they'll all be on TV, begging for donations!
It also irritates me that many stores will destroy something and put it in the dumpster before they'll take less than what they think it's worth. IMHO, that is just plain stupidity! The item was given to you. If it doesn't sell, lower the price until it moves. If an interested party makes a counter offer on something, deal with him. Don't give him some smart answer like, "the price is marked, take it or leave it".
Once, the manager of the local SA acted like such a witch and treated me like I was an idiot over a stereo that I was interested in that I wrote a letter of complaint to the local SA home office; but, I got no reply and nothing was done to correct the problem.
At one time, I could deal with the SA and the manager would usually let me name my own price on items of interest. He looked at it like whatever money they were making on an item was more than they had to start with. At that time, I was also donating many working TV's for them to sell and he acted like he was happy to get them. Of course, they didn't keep him long and after the current witch manager talked down to me about that console stereo, the donations from me stopped and have not picked up since.
I've also found that the quality of records has gone down and many stores ask "price guide" prices for records that are total garbage. And, most of the record selection is nothing I'd want if they were giving them away. If you want vintage rock, soul, country, etc; then, stay away from the thrift stores here. If you want the "Firestone Christmas Album" or everything that was ever put out by 101 strings; then, you've come to the right place.
I also get irritated when they use ebay as a price guide. Guess what, thrift store manager? You're not selling on ebay, you're selling in small town MS and people here are looking for a deal. If you expect to get ebay prices; then, close your store and sell on ebay.
OK, rant over. My normal style of videos will resume shortly.
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