Thrift stores throw away the weirdest stuff.

While taking out the trash at work (we share a dumpster with a thrift shop), I noticed some familiar-shaped boxes sitting down near the back of the heap.  They appeared to look interesting from my vantage point, so I promptly ignored the rule about not playing in/around dumpsters and hopped in.

When I came out, I was holding a copy of "Chill" by Pacesetter, "Space Opera" by Fantasy Games Unlimited, the "Wizard's Quest" Bookcase Game by Avalon Hill, and a "Car Wars" deluxe edition boxed set by Steve Jackson Games.

I just spent the last several hours sorting through all of them at home and as near as I can tell, they are all complete.  "Chill" seems to have all the books, the map, and a completely unpunched set of cardboard chits (the box is even in fairly good shape, just one split corner on the top lid and another on the bottom lid.  "Space Opera" likewise looks complete as far as all the books go, and even had a d6 inside.  "Car Wars" appears to be intact as well, with two small baggies: one holds a bunch of punch-out pieces and an itty-bitty d6, the other holds three sheets of maybe...4"x7" uncut cardstock vehicles and obstacles; the box is likewise slightly crushed with two split corners at the top of the lid.  "Wizard's Quest" gave me the most difficulty, as it has about a billion cardboard chits which I have managed to organize into seven different baggies and while I can't count them all to know for certain if EVERYTHING is there, it sure looks like there's more than enough to play with.  The box is beat all to hell and it looks like somebody did a huge amount of taping on all four sides of the lid in an effort to maybe reinforce it about say...20 years ago given how yellow it is.

What I want to know is, what brain-dead imbecil just threw these away?  Not that I'm complaining - they are phenomenal finds in a trash bin, but seriously...what would make somebody toss these four boxed games?  Could they just not be bothered to check and see if everything was there?

In any case, anybody got any idea what ANY of these four boxed sets are worth or if they are indeed complete?  I can provide any additional details as necessary (except for a chit count on Wizard's Quest - I'm not sitting down to count out hundreds of little bits only to be told I'm missing two Orc pieces...).

megnelwil wrote:Have a look one thread along and I'm the guy hunting for a Chill box set. You're picking them out of the trash and I can't get one for money!

That thread also gives a few estimates on pricing.

Oh my God, I just noticed that!

I'm so sorry, Megnelwil.  If I'd read that thread first, I wouldn't have even posted this here.  I didn't mean it to be a slap in the face to anybody. :(

MichaelC wrote:Oh my God, I just noticed that!

I'm so sorry, Megnelwil.  If I'd read that thread first, I wouldn't have even posted this here.  I didn't mean it to be a slap in the face to anybody. :(

Relax, I think it's hilarious. Besides, as g026r points out, fate has clearly intervened.

- In any case, anybody got any idea what ANY of these four boxed sets are worth or if they are indeed complete?
over here viewtopic.php?p=89714&highlight=#89714 :lol: :lol: 10-15 bucks should be more like for that but good save michaelC!!

It is great that you rescued them. But I imagine stuff like this gets thrown out every day.

MichaelC wrote:I think tomorrow I'm going to have a talk with the guy who runs it and tell him that if he's going to throw away any more games like that to just set them aside for me and I'll happily pick them up from him as opposed to picking through the trash. *laugh*

Good God.  How long has he been throwing away valuable items --- not just games, but vintage items?  Has he never noticed various antique malls that have stalls filled with overpriced bric-a-brac and memorabilia?

What kind of clientele does the thrift store have? If they're not gamers, it's not worth it to stock games.

lucyjoyce wrote:You could offer to sort through the gaming stuff in exchange for first dibs.  Stores want to expand their clientele, and most thrift shops fund some worthy cause or another, so it would be a win-win.  I belong to a volunteer organization that runs a thrift shop and an obligation of the members is to contribute to and work in the shop.  We set aside possible collectibles to await a knowledgeable person's day to work.  But most thrift shops don't have 400+ people staffing it - they would probably appreciate your help.

This sounds like the most sensible option.  The thrift store in question is a not-for-profit that helps to get battered women away from abusive spouses and back on their feet financially.  I'll talk to the manager and approach it this way (we've been too busy at work the last few days for me to go over and chat) and see what can be done.

Good news!

I talked to the manager, and he has been quite happy to set aside the boxed games they get in to let me have a look before they go out on the shelves or get pitched.  Basically, I offered to volunteer over there once a week as someone who would be responsible for checking out the games that get donated to them.  If I can determine that they are all there (or almost all there in the case of games that have huge numbers of components like Squad Leader where missing 1-2 chits usually doesn't wreck anything), then he'll put them on the sales floor but I'll have the option to buy them before anybody else for $2 per game (his offer, not mine).  If I don't buy them, he'll take my advice on what to price them on a case-by-case basis to ensure that something super valuable doesn't go out on the floor for pennies.

Anything that is obviously missing major components or is otherwise in unplayable condition will get thrown out.

I got a very nice copy of the old TSR Gammarauders boxed set and a couple of Star Fleet Battles sets as well for $8.  Not as cheap as dumpster diving, but hey, at least I don't have to get myself all dirty and the store gets some additional money.