local thrift stores

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

Some here might recognize me from cheapassgamer, I've been using that site for a bit to try and build on my massive game collection, with hopes to maybe building an educational museum for developers in college and such.  Overall I've got probably close to 2200 games and 52 systems now, and in reality I do not believe I spent very much money at all.
 
Some of the hardest items to find pop up w/out reason at the local thrift store, and I find most of my deals there.  Recently I snagged a copy of Intelligent Qube for the ps1 for $1.50 at a Salvation Army, I got a sealed copy of Conkers Bad Fur Day on the for $17 at a Purple Hearts thrift store, and a black label Final Fantasy 7 for $3 there.  I probably spend about 30-40 $ a month at the thrift store and come home with 15-25 games.
 
I've also found good deals on consoles there too.  No you wont find an 360 or ps3 there, probably wont see a ps2 either.  But you will find some rare items if you know where to look.  I've found Nuon players and a Pioneer LaserActive at one of my stores, old gamegears, nomads and plenty of various gameboys, all for under $10 every time.
 
So if you guys are into some of the classic games, I'd suggest stopping in the thrift store from time to time, I'm pretty sure you'll find an old gem sitting on the shelf that has more true value than half the crap in the gamestop.

[Brian Moy]

Some here might recognize me from cheapassgamer, I've been using that site for a bit to try and build on my massive game collection, with hopes to maybe building an educational museum for developers in college and such.  Overall I've got probably close to 2200 games and 52 systems now, and in reality I do not believe I spent very much money at all.
 
Some of the hardest items to find pop up w/out reason at the local thrift store, and I find most of my deals there.  Recently I snagged a copy of Intelligent Qube for the ps1 for $1.50 at a Salvation Army, I got a sealed copy of Conkers Bad Fur Day on the for $17 at a Purple Hearts thrift store, and a black label Final Fantasy 7 for $3 there.  I probably spend about 30-40 $ a month at the thrift store and come home with 15-25 games.
 
I've also found good deals on consoles there too.  No you wont find an 360 or ps3 there, probably wont see a ps2 either.  But you will find some rare items if you know where to look.  I've found Nuon players and a Pioneer LaserActive at one of my stores, old gamegears, nomads and plenty of various gameboys, all for under $10 every time.
 
So if you guys are into some of the classic games, I'd suggest stopping in the thrift store from time to time, I'm pretty sure you'll find an old gem sitting on the shelf that has more true value than half the crap in the gamestop.

$17 is a riduculous price for anything at a thrift store, but good price for a sealed Conkers Bad Fur Day.  Hopefully you've had a chance to play the and versions.  I like that game.

I'm really impressed on the Nuon and Laseractive finds.   " border="0" class="smiley" />   For one, who has a Laseractive (besides a collector) and then who just donates it???  I'm sure most shoppers would pass those up, thinking they are just DVD players.  The only thing Nuon related I've found is Ballistix, the pack in game for the system.  I didn't think to look if they had a Nuon player at Badwill, which I should have.

I've never seen a Nomad at a thrift, but I've seen plenty of Game Gears and GameBoys.  I've really only seen kind of uncommon things at thrifts, but nothing especially rare - stuff like a 3DO or a  or a Pico is about the most uncommon of things I find.

As a collector, I gotta say let me know if you ever want to sell/trade the Laseractive.      (I'm sure you likely will keep it, but just had to say it)  My friend John has a Laseractive too with the CD expansion.  He loves it.

[Josh Parr]

I never come across anything special at local thrift stores.  It's really kind of depressing to never come across anything.  Most of mine want like $30 for an NES that doesn't have any cables or anything.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

No I'm keeping it, I got the pac too but its missing the logo
 
Which raises the question of why was it there even more, because i bought it for $7 with the pac included

[Brian Moy]

No I'm keeping it, I got the pac too but its missing the logo
 
Which raises the question of why was it there even more, because i bought it for $7 with the pac included

I was sure you'd be keeping it.  But I just HAD to ask just in case.   

That has to be the best thrift store find I've personally heard.  My friend John Hancock bought his from a collector at a  show for $300 I think it was, and I think that was one of the major gets at the show. 

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

if he paid $300 either he got the turbo pac with it too or he got screwed.  A boxed laseractive is $130 and you can snag a pac for a good $75-80, now a turbo pac, those are like 150 alone.  and as you might remember i have a turbo game i want to play, which i could play if i had that turbo pac, or the turbo duo(i thought the turbo cd would be just as good, i was wrong)

[Josh Parr]

My friends think my collection is large, but you guys just have me beat hands down. Gives me something to try for.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

my inspiration since a long time ago was this guys collection....
 
 
http://www.vidgame.net/room/room.htm
 
probably a big reason why on cag im mostly looking for peices rather than whole games, i have a lot of stuff but it doesnt feel worthy w/out the boxes & manuals for half the items.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

Just an update and reminder to keep an eye on the thrift stores.  I found a working copy of Beyond Oasis for the Genesis today for 75c.  Its not extremely expensive but is hard to find classic most genesis owners would love.  Also got Jak & Daxter mint for $4, Warcraft 2 guide for $3 and Gun guide for 50c. 
 
Sometimes you might not find anything, might not find something for a while, but people are giving away gems, and right now (tax time) is when people donate the most to get tax write offs.

[dante]

This kind of tempts me to go visit my thrift store today. Too bad I'm pretty sore at the moment.
It always surprises me how much I find at my little thrift store here. The last best thing would be We Love Katamari and Shadow Panic mint and complete for $4 total. 
I also just bought a Model 2 Genesis but I still need to find the right cords in order to test it. It looks to be in good condition, but my hopes aren't too high about it working.

[G.A.Pster]

I rarely find any good games, the only exception is sometimes Good Will gets sealed PC games.
 
I bought S.T.A.L.K.E.R shadow of Chernobyl really cheap, and I got Dark Earth sealed really cheap (which is amazing since it’s from 96).
Otherwise it’s generally over priced, in poor condition. Or most commonly both.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

my experience would tell me that the local thrift is better than GoodWill or Salvation Army.  My local one gets their items from Purple Hearts Assoc.  They also go in and buy out storage units that have been abandoned, probably where a lot comes from.

[dante]

Yeah really mine is so hit or miss. But I've found three systems, including a minty, boxed NES, so I always have to go back and look. My friends think that finding things in thrift stores is my natural talent.

[xsuicidesn0wmanx]

Maybe you should add a section for bragging and nice finds out there like cag has
 
I got another great buy, Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker, still in its original shrink wrap, $7.
 
I dont have very many sealed games but i think the ones i have are worth a pretty penny, this goes in my collection with a sealed Resident Evil 3 ps1, sealed Conkers Bad Fur Day n64, sealed Perfect Dark n64, and two NES games that look like they came off the shelf just yesterday, Zelda and Castlevania.
 
I also got castlevania 2: simons quest for $2 cart only. and maybe 6 other nes games.

[Josh Parr]

I'm such a child when it comes to sealed games. I'll buy them and leave them alone for a week (tops) and I just have to open it. I turn into a 12 year old when I see a sealed game.