Mega rare 1978 "El Diablo" fully working 16-pound boombox bought for $73 and sold for $850 cold hard cash. This was one of my best finds ever for how I found it hidden in a store (entertaining story at the end), and its ultra scarcity.
Goodbye pic taken just before the guy picked it up on his motorcycle.
The first time I turned it on facing me, the sonic boom that shot into my chest with it accidentally on max volume almost made me drop it. It was like 500 Horse Power.
Analog, baby!
Ever hear of a Monoski? Me neither, until I stumbled on this for $27 and sold it for $435. I sadly got my phone stolen right after buying it, so I looked cool carrying it into an Apple store.
A French Miroir Brot vanity bought for $11 brought in a sneaky $383!
A second Miroir Brot vanity (aware from the first), bought for $25, sold for $230.
An Oscar Wilde playing card art book set, signed by the artist and Oscar's biographer the year before he died, bought for $22 and sold for $300. I still have tons of these in different colors.
New printer toner set bought for $18, sold for $300.
Can't find my original pic, but found a new one of these table lighters in fire engine red for $22 and sold it for $250.
New Honeywell Prestige Thermostat bought for $16, sold for $224. (not my pic)
Sealed new Sony always wins. Mini-disc player bought for $18.50, sold for $193.
Brand new AT&T answering machine bought for $4, sold for $130. (not my pic)
Plenty more to show... These things ARE in thrift stores IF you go semi-consistently, look for them, and know how to identify value.
The most satisfying thing is finding things people have overlooked all day or for several days.
This story shows what I'm talking about...
"I didn't know about the vintage electronics event at the thrift store that day, so I strolled in randomly. I missed most of the good stuff, but whenever I do, I start digging to find mistakes. This is my speciality. I search high. I search low. I search in hiding places to find the stashes.
These events are flooded with professional thrifters and audiophiles. An event usually starts with the long line waiting outside for hours being let in like a bull run in a china shop. Everyone grabs a basket and throws as much as they can in it to "claim" it. They then go off to a safe spot and comb through their haul to see what they'll take or leave. I hate that game, so I usually hover around to snipe the mistakes they drop.
While looking under things, I found this boombox out of sight under a table right by the register. Yes, just a few feet from the registers EVERYONE had to stand by, right under their noses.
The moment I saw it, I knew I hit the jackpot of the store. The instant I pulled it out, I was swarmed by fanatics asking if I'd be taking it. Not a chance, suckers. The price was a steal, especially because they had a shinier boombox on a shelf for around $1,500. Getting this for $72.40 was almost free. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable stroll home with it in hand turning heads."
If you could use some extra funds and want to get experience in a side-hustle to generate the means, give thrifting a try. Don't give up after the first time. Put the work in and rewarding income from your effort/good decisions will start sprouting left and right.
