Re: Ripoff Thrift Stores, Was: New Apple II BBS

["John Van Winkle" <appleiieman@charter.net>]

I have found that the thrift stores here are more than reasonable about
their prices.  I agree with what Sheldon said about taking toys away from me
or anyone else.  It's not the issue of selfishness on my part, I disagree
with greed.  I can't consciously sell someone something for more than what I
think it is worth when it comes to computer stuff, but others can.  I found
an Apple IIe 128K with two 5.25 disk drives (newer ones) and bought it for
$5.00 (that's what they ask if I would give for it) and it worked when I
bought it.  I tested it before leaving the store.   Yes, most people leave
their junk there that don't work but sometimes it's just older stuff they
don't want anymore.  I occaisionally find some bargains on Ebay but alot of
times people over price their stuff or their shipping rates.  Nice thing
about Ebay, alot of people see you auction.  But, I would rather buy local
if I can.

John


"Sandra Warnken" <warnken@mother.com> wrote in message
97885148.0402071810.13c2ba71@posting.google.com">news:97885148.0402071810.13c2ba71@posting.google.com...
> Byron Desnoyers Winmill <wbdesnoy@ucalgary.ca> wrote in message
news:<Pine.A41.4.44.0402062020120.67930-100000@acs2.acs.ucalgary.ca>...
> > On Fri, 6 Feb 2004, Sheldon Simms wrote:
> > > someone will purchase their merchandise and resell it on Ebay,
> > > collecting the difference. I don't see why this is a problem, but
> > > apparently thrift stores think it is, so they raise their prices to
> > > match Ebay's. So can we conclude that the presence of Ebay harms poor
> > > people by increasing their cost of living?
> >
> > I very much doubt that thrift stores price things according to ePay.
> > More often than not, they don't know what the value of something is so
> > they will over value certain items and under value others.  It was this
> > way long before ePay.  Actually, I had a clerk scream at me up and down
> > when I offered five bucks for an Apple IIgs game.  Something about them
> > raising money for charitable causes.  If you sense some bitterness from
> > them over reselling stuff, that may be why.  ;-)  Then there is the
> > problem of dealers snatching up all of the good stuff to fatten their
> > pockets, leaving crap for thrift store customers (this is pretty bad
> > for business).
>
> Value is in the eye of the wanter.  On eBay the basic IIGS costs much
> more to ship than it's worth.  It doesn't pay to sell a basic system
> on eBay unless it's got something some really needs.
>
> I think there were a couple of problems for thrift stores.
>
> One is that the stores can't afford to store slow moving items on
> their selves.  The other problem is that people steal things from the
> item or the doner is dumping a system that malfunctions or is missing
> parts to begin with.  If it doesn't have all the parts some folks
> don't want it.  If the store has a return policy for defective
> computers they probably discover they are trying to sell something
> that should be trashed.
>
> A lot of people have no idea what the thing is they have for sale.  I
> don't know about everything ever made for the Apple II,  even though
> I've had exposure to a lot of third party stuff.
>
> Some stores have dates on the tags.  If the item doesn't sell in that
> time, the price comes down.  I've also bought things by walking up the
> the cashier with the item and cash in hand.  I might say that the item
> is for an obsolete computer and the price is too high.  Some are quite
> willing to dicker.  If you don't try you wont know.
>
> Sandy