The best of Goodwill...

Fisher FM-1000 reference tuner in perfect working order. A couple of PAS-3 preamps, a Dyna FM-3, Pioneer tube receiver, Clements bookshelf speakers, Hafler DH-110 preamp. Of course, loads of LPs.

One store had someones whole collection of excellent quality lp's. The guy ahead of me got there first, so his shopping cart had many more than mine, but mine had quite a few. We're talking a couple hundred.
Purchased so much vintage electronics I can't begin to even try to list it all. I once had a vintage Dual turntable at the checkout that only needed a new stylus and mentioned that to the checkout gal. She said since it was defective, it goes at half price, which was $7.50!
Once I found a huge pair of vintage Altecs that were not labeled, but I could just make out the chrome dust caps on the woofers, so I asked them for a screwdriver to remove the back to check the drivers for names. No problem! $25 bucks!
Most of these finds were during the stock market boom years when everybody was making money, and were getting rid of the old to buy new. I was always finding excellent vintage gear nobody seemed to want anymore. Those days are few, and far between now.

as an inveterate thrift store junkie, i abide by the adage that anything can be anywhere at any time--it's all a matter of persistence. what i have noticed recently is that cdps (like vcrs) seem to be frequently donated--i've recently picked up a marantz cd63se ($15) and a pristine sony ca70es ($9.95); also an adcom gfa 535 and matching tuner for $20 and fantabulous hk 730 rcvr for $25. i'm still searching for that ten buck macintosh, but i know it's out there.

I live near Grand Junction, Colorado where Goodwill recently built a big, shiny new store from the ground up. Acres of parking right across from Home Depot store causes me to question just exactly what is going on with thrift stores and "good will".

They have very little in the way of electronics.

Elizabeth is probably right about what is happening in these places. They are being mined constantly for resale possibilities.

Profit has moved over time from a priority to main priority to sole priority. It is our reason to breathe.

Profit= Ferengi.
I think the Star Trek Deep Space Nine Ferengi have taken over the Western World, and is infecting the East.
The Rules of Aquisition are dominant in our culture!
All other rules are superseded!.
Especially for Politicians, Lawyers, doctors, and corporate types.
There may be a few housewives and children left who have not yet been infected with the Fereni lust for 'Profit', But they are a disappearing breed.