Today started with a quick run over to Tampa, about 65 miles away.
I enjoy the trip, but it can be expensive if no "relics" of any value are located
Luckily, that will not be the case today.
Dig #1 - Busch Blvd Community Thrift Store. - nice - used to be much larger, but they recently cut the store in half and rented out space to Dollar General. I like this store - kind of junky and great prices - I once bought a colecovision system with 10 games for $5.00 here. nothing today though - damn.
Site # 2 and 3 are right next door to each other. The Salvation Army store thinks it knows collectibles, so you often see great items but at absurd prices.
The thrift store next door (Smartly named "Thrift Store") is like looking through some one's garage, after an earthquake. Fine with me - that's why I am a treasure hunter after all.
I usually go to the Video Tape shelf first. Why? Sometimes there are video games mixed in with the ancient VHS tapes. Ha! I pluck a Dragon Warrior IV Nintendo Game (with sleeve and instruction manual) out of the rubble. At $2.99 this is a GREAT FIND and will pay for the gas I used trekking over to Tampa.
I do a quick sweep of the electronics, books, and board games (?) sections and reluctantly head to the back of the store-to the dreaded toy section. For some unknown reason, this store puts all its toys on large metal shelving units about 7 feet high and 15 feet wide. And in flagrant violation of a piece of notebook paper taped to one wall that clearly states ** NO UNATTENDED CHILDREN ** - the place is like Never-Neverland (the cool one from Peter Pan, not the scary one that Micheal Jackson owns) with unattended children EVERYWHERE. You have to get here early, as I've seen many valuable items stepped on and/or destroyed.
As usual, all the toys are off the shelf, in a HUGE pile on the floor. I wade in and try to look around, but it is hopeless. Then suddenly a Mom, dragging her son along, tosses a box on one of the empty shelves and admonishes the boy "I SAID I AM NOT BUYING YOU ANY MORE TOYS TODAY!!!"
HOY COW! She has just stopped her son from buying a Pair of 1968 G.I. Joe Walkie talkies - MINT IN BOX for $2.95. Lucky for me, my Mom is nowhere around and I can buy whatever I want. I grab the box and take my purchases to the checkout.
Not even noon yet, and I am done for the day. I swing by Arbys and grab a couple of Beef & Cheddars for the long drive home.
I sold the NES game on my website ($25) and the Walkie Talkies were tested (by my 7 year old nephew Steven) photographed and auctioned off on eBay. ($250)
And now y0u know - And Knowing Is Half The Battle - YO JOE!
I enjoy the trip, but it can be expensive if no "relics" of any value are located
Luckily, that will not be the case today.
Dig #1 - Busch Blvd Community Thrift Store. - nice - used to be much larger, but they recently cut the store in half and rented out space to Dollar General. I like this store - kind of junky and great prices - I once bought a colecovision system with 10 games for $5.00 here. nothing today though - damn.
Site # 2 and 3 are right next door to each other. The Salvation Army store thinks it knows collectibles, so you often see great items but at absurd prices.
The thrift store next door (Smartly named "Thrift Store") is like looking through some one's garage, after an earthquake. Fine with me - that's why I am a treasure hunter after all.
I usually go to the Video Tape shelf first. Why? Sometimes there are video games mixed in with the ancient VHS tapes. Ha! I pluck a Dragon Warrior IV Nintendo Game (with sleeve and instruction manual) out of the rubble. At $2.99 this is a GREAT FIND and will pay for the gas I used trekking over to Tampa.
I do a quick sweep of the electronics, books, and board games (?) sections and reluctantly head to the back of the store-to the dreaded toy section. For some unknown reason, this store puts all its toys on large metal shelving units about 7 feet high and 15 feet wide. And in flagrant violation of a piece of notebook paper taped to one wall that clearly states ** NO UNATTENDED CHILDREN ** - the place is like Never-Neverland (the cool one from Peter Pan, not the scary one that Micheal Jackson owns) with unattended children EVERYWHERE. You have to get here early, as I've seen many valuable items stepped on and/or destroyed.
As usual, all the toys are off the shelf, in a HUGE pile on the floor. I wade in and try to look around, but it is hopeless. Then suddenly a Mom, dragging her son along, tosses a box on one of the empty shelves and admonishes the boy "I SAID I AM NOT BUYING YOU ANY MORE TOYS TODAY!!!"
HOY COW! She has just stopped her son from buying a Pair of 1968 G.I. Joe Walkie talkies - MINT IN BOX for $2.95. Lucky for me, my Mom is nowhere around and I can buy whatever I want. I grab the box and take my purchases to the checkout.
Not even noon yet, and I am done for the day. I swing by Arbys and grab a couple of Beef & Cheddars for the long drive home.
I sold the NES game on my website ($25) and the Walkie Talkies were tested (by my 7 year old nephew Steven) photographed and auctioned off on eBay. ($250)
And now y0u know - And Knowing Is Half The Battle - YO JOE!
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