Bargain Hunting

[Empty Pockets]

Yesterday, I had a few minutes to kill. I stopped into a local Second Hand Store. They had an unGodly assortment of junk.

Among the broken power tools, bent screwdrivers, and other miscellaneous junk, were bins and bins of assorted sockets, drive tools and wrenches.

Since I had only a few minutes, I took a quick look, pulled a Williams SuperWrench, and a New Britain 1/2 drive socket, both in good shape. Since nothing was marked, I went to pay, and was told the total was $1.00.

They seem to think that older Craftsman and truck brands are made of gold, but when time permits, I'll be back to look for som more diamonds in the rough.

 

[jd_1138]

They don't even have any tools at the local thrift stores around here. None. I was helping a friend last week, and I told her I'd take some stuff to the local Salvation Army for her to donate. The sour old chick there refused all of it. There were 2 nice brass plated floor lamps with newer lamp shades, a few nice paintings, and about a dozen other nice things. She said "we already have all this stuff and none of it sells, so we don't want your stuff."

I replied "well maybe if you'd lower your prices (way too high), you'd actually sell items and then have room for new arrivals, so you can then sell more stuff -- more $$$ for your charitable programs". But she started walking inside before I got 2 words out. lol. Goodwill took all of it.

 

[Straightgrain]

When my wife passed away I donated clothes, linen, crafts, appliances, furniture, nick knacks, & wall art, etc. to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the local Rescue Mission, & the Battered Women's store, no one turned anything down, and they were all real grateful for the donations.

That said, other than the local second hand store run by Habitat for Humanity, I've never found any tools worth buying at any of the resale stores here in town.

 

[gdocktor3]

I had a few great pawn shops in my area that were all owned by the same family. Last year there were 4 in my local area between 5 and 15 minutes away. I have scored some amazing deals in those places. Basically each time I went in I came out with something. Unfortunately, they've all closed, except for 1. I don't know what to do anymore. I went in to the one in town weekly. They had large bins like mentioned above filled with sockets, screwdrivers, etc etc for $1 each and I've dug through them many times and some of the gems I've found were - 2 older black hard handle Snap On screwdrivers that were like brand new, mini Irwin vice grips, mini Williams adjustable wrench, plus random sockets and stuff. I even found a broken Matco screwdriver in it and convinced the guy to just let me have it. They always assumed they were junk, no name tools because they were in the $1 bin and had "the good stuff" in a glass case up front. Man it ***** they're gone.....

 

[Rileysan]

When my wife passed away I donated clothes, linen, crafts, appliances, furniture, nick knacks, & wall art, etc. to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the local Rescue Mission, & the Battered Women's store, no one turned anything down, and they were all real grateful for the donations.

That said, other than the local second hand store run by Habitat for Humanity, I've never found any tools worth buying at any of the resale stores here in town.

It's all about timing. I have found worthy tools in just about every thrift store I have ever visited - just not very often. ReStore, on the other hand, is constantly resupplied because they take building materials and loose hardware. What better place to donate the contents of grandpa's garage than the place who will take it all!

Brian

 

[bonneyman]

Several pawn shops in my city have closed recently, or stopped selling individual tools. Been getting great deals for the past 5-6 years, looks like those times are coming to an end. Either pawning of tools is down, or the profit on individual tools is too low so the boss eliminates those bins for other, more profitable items.
I still make the rounds - you never know what you might find. But I don't do it as often.

 

[bmwrd0]

Around here, one habitat is good, thrift stores are hit or miss (like Rileysan said, its all timing) And the one decent pawn it depends on who is behind the counter.

 

[RodneyW]

I've gotten several good buys on tools in thrift stores. Mostly I'm into woodworking tools. Here's my latest find. An old Milwaukee 1/4" Hole Shooter, I'm guessing from the 30s.

It was a $2.50 find. About $30 later -mostly for the new power cord, I need to source some cheaper alternatives- and some time spent cleaning and polishing it and this is how it looks now.

Not for everyone, but I actually enjoy the process of restoring old tools.
Rodney

 

[gdocktor3]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^holy smokes!!!

 

[davethorik]

Funny this came up again, a couple of months ago I bought a Cornwell TR3 1/4 ratchet for $5 at a pawn shop. It looked good but was locked up. A good tap on the asphalt outside the store, and it came free. Took it home for a cleaning and found out one of the teeth was broken off, found the piece and removed it. On Tuesday of this past week there was a Cornwell truck next door, took the ratchet over and he rebuilt it no questions asked for free. I really do like these ratchets.

 

[jvlyons99205]

I've had some good finds at local antique stores that focus on things other than tools. They usually want insane prices for the woodworking tools but the other tools can often be downright cheap if you offer to buy all they have. About 3 weeks ago, I picked up a 2 pound coffee can filled with 34 Craftsman sockets, 1 Hinsdale socket and a 7/16 Snap On wrench along with a bunch of misc hardware and 4 new hasps for $5.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

 

[Empty Pockets]

I've gotten several good buys on tools in thrift stores. Mostly I'm into woodworking tools. Here's my latest find. An old Milwaukee 1/4" Hole Shooter, I'm guessing from the 30s.

It was a $2.50 find. About $30 later -mostly for the new power cord, I need to source some cheaper alternatives- and some time spent cleaning and polishing it and this is how it looks now.

Not for everyone, but I actually enjoy the process of restoring old tools.
Rodney

Nice job, It really looks like new

 

[bonneyman]

Man, that drill came out sweet!

 

[mikebaker1129]

Several pawn shops in my city have closed recently, or stopped selling individual tools. Been getting great deals for the past 5-6 years, looks like those times are coming to an end. Either pawning of tools is down, or the profit on individual tools is too low so the boss eliminates those bins for other, more profitable items.
I still make the rounds - you never know what you might find. But I don't do it as often.

The trend around here is eliminating the loose tools all together.
I was told they do not generate $.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Its true that sockets and wrenches make very little sold individually. When I buy big sets of mixed tools, sockets, and wrenches and after taking what i want from them i will piece together sets to sell at yard sales or on ebay.

For example, i bought a bag of -v- craftsman wrenches that looked like they only turned 1 nut in their life (30 wrenches in total) for $40. I took the large ones that i needed and sold the leftovers as a set for $30 on ebay.

Individually, i technically could have made more selling them one by one but it would have taken a long time. Selling the set made me back most of my money in only a few days after buying them, much faster turnaround so im not surprised a buisiness would do the same.

 

[Cypherian]

They don't even have any tools at the local thrift stores around here. None. I was helping a friend last week, and I told her I'd take some stuff to the local Salvation Army for her to donate. The sour old chick there refused all of it. There were 2 nice brass plated floor lamps with newer lamp shades, a few nice paintings, and about a dozen other nice things. She said "we already have all this stuff and none of it sells, so we don't want your stuff."

I replied "well maybe if you'd lower your prices (way too high), you'd actually sell items and then have room for new arrivals, so you can then sell more stuff -- more $$$ for your charitable programs". But she started walking inside before I got 2 words out. lol. Goodwill took all of it.

Perhaps call the local VFW or try here http://www.veteranpickup.org/faq/ I have had it with the local good will and salvation army being umm SELECTIVE in what they will accept . Mind you I have never brought junk and everything I have ever brought or attempted to bring was clean , dry and serviceable and all parts were there hell most of the time I had the manuals too if the item came with one. I did not know the VFW did it and I am a Vet lol someone told me and since then everything goes to them .

Cypher

 

[Cypherian]

Nice job, It really looks like new

Source old PC cords they make nice power cords for tools.. Oh and I stole that from someone else here lol but I had done it once or twice already myself.

Cypher

 

[TK-421]

I wish I could find deals like that. My local goodwill is filled with broken junk, and no tools. Haven't done much searching for other second hand stores, but maybe I should try. My local pawn shops are all a huge joke, they want either close to, or over, msrp for heavily used stuff that's nearing the end of its life. I haven't even bothered to try and haggle with them on anything, because they'd probably laugh me out of the store when I'd start at 1/4 of their listed price.

 

[DeaconSteve]

The last thing I bought at a pawn shop was a railroad spike hammer. Paid $10 for it. I don't plan on going to work for the railroad, but it looks cool leaning up against my wall.

 

[Lightyear]

While I can’t view the pics of your restoration, comments say you did a great job. I’m searching eBay and Craig’s List either not finding anything at all or really high prices.

 

[joel_400]

Not many shops in my area anymore that ever have any good tools. If goodwill did they'd probably cost more than new anymore...not too many deals there anymore. Heck even a used pair of kids jeans are close to 5 bucks there anymore...we have a five year old growing like a weed! He wears them for a month or to if we're lucky before they don't fit! So we try to save whenever possible! Our local Cashland is about the only place that ever has any tools...I've gotten some real good stuff there in the last 5 or so years. When we bought our house I bought a lot of woodworking tools there! Usually REAL cheap as they had way too much back then. Lately they've only had beat to death no name cordless stuff. Most of my goodies are from the local flea markets anymore. My favorite one being 8 minutes away from home
...but only runs may thru October. Never any deals online anymore as anything good online is usually gone as soon as it's listed!
Joel

 

[Roberts210]

Our local ReStore has their tools priced way too high, and as a result no one buys 'em anymore.