Why I love my thrift store..

None in those lovely car computers Jord? Silly question I'm sure, but I don't deal with cars other then what I drive..heh.

An thank ya, I do enjoy finding the little odd things like these. You crack open tons of router/modems an get just nice boards, then you crack open one an are expecting the same results an you pop out what I did. I love the rush of breaking new things open, or even the same old thing, never know what you'll find.

I think we all got a little of that love or we wouldn't do what we do. I guess if you got to have addicition best to have one that lets you bash/smash/pop/finesse things open is a good one!

Good luck to ya folks today, may you find yourself a nice score!

Sirscrapalot - I need more OMG ITs GOLD™ buckets..

We need to get you metal detector then.

Do I need to apologize to myself for derailing my own thread?

Sirscrapalot - You've herd of a sock puppet? I got a sock puppy. He needs a intervention!

Nice boards there Sirscrap. I wish I could get a thrift shop account. Around here, they acted like I was trying to rob the place when I asked about broken electronics.

Jord, yes there's gold in cars. I've got several car computers that had gold pins for the connectors. Even the ones that don't use gold on the pins have decent boards in them. Just don't try to crack open one of those gell filled ones, not worth the trouble. The other place I've seen gold in cars is the detatchable face plates on radios. They have gold contacts where they join the radio and contacts on the radio side too. There may be other places, that's just what I've found. I heard the air bag actuator switch has a gold plated ball in it, but have not been able to confirm that. If you find one let us know.

Not sure what the computers were from, I get mine from a scrap yard and only sometimes it's written on them. I remember getting one a couple of months ago that had gold pins and one of the pins was larger than the others about 1/4 inch. I think that one was a Ford. Seems like I had to remove a black plastic rectangle that said Ford or Motorcraft on it. The faceplates on the radios could be in anything because they are mostly aftermarket. I have around ten of those. Haven't broken them apart yet.

Wow, we have really derailed Sirscrapalot's thread. Great boards there Sirscrapalot!! (Pnutfarmer's feeble attempt at a rerail). Seriously, I love breaking modems, just smack them on the concrete on one corner and you're in!!

a router/modem with a gps? Is it an NSA brand?

I took some boards off of a newer hyundai steering column. They had a bit of gold in them. Ill try and get some pics soon.

Derail away!

I've done it enough in threads, only right it should happen in mine, an I don't mind, it's all useful info!

Bear, I'll get back to you on what kind it was, I still have the plastic housing downstairs in the shop. Actually..I'm a go look now, an will update this again shortly.

Meanwhile..enjoy the car talk!

An yep..Jord your a member of the crazy train.

Sirscrapalot - Back soon.

Bear it was a Sprint Airave by samsung. An yep had the little gps attached on the inside in the black casing you can see in the pic. No clue on NSA or any other alphabet soup gov agency, but I thought it was pretty neat. Many routers/modems I've busted open, never seen one with a gps or boards as nice as this one.

Back to your regularly scheduled derailment.

Sirscrapalot - Join the crazy train today, no dues, no fees..no sanity!

Pnut..I had the same issue at first, when I tried getting with Goodwill an another big store down here. Goodwill treated me like crap, an hell even insulted me..lol. So I went to the local ones, an just worked the relationship. I find the best results are with the local ones, not the big ones with a presence everywhere.

My thrift store accounts, consist of several small shops here on the sandbar an three across the bridge on the mainland. Find you a good local one that does something with the community, and just offer up your services. I have a special one here(where the router/modem came from) an I like their cause, an make sure to kick them extra when I get good loads. That extra might be anything from a dropping a 20+ in the donation jar, or dropping off several pounds of copper for them. As they do scrap some things, to help with their programs. An they love it everytime I do. Just as I love it everytime I come into pick up the huge tote I leave there.

Auminer an Parrothead also deal with thrift stores, perhaps they'll chime in an offer some hints to folks looking into getting into business with the thrift stores.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but..hey..I love my thrift stores, an if I can help folks get their own in their area, then awesomesauce.

Sirscrapalot - A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore. - Yogi Berra

Here is why you will not be able to get electronics from a Goodwill store

shopgoodwill.com - Welcome

shopgoodwill.com - Categories

Hit the small stores. We get a LOT from our local Habitat restore. We purchase by the trailer load. Most of the help is volunteers and elderly and they just dont want to deal with it. They test nothing and if it looks nice they put it aside for me so it doesnt get ruined. We also resell some of our refurbished computers thru them and donate 25% of sales to them. They just mail us a check the first of every month.

We just won their first annual "business partner" of the year award. Short (very short) mention on the news and in the local community paper as well.