Interesting find at a local thrift shop.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

So I was hanging out at my parents' house this morning, and got a call from my brother, who had gotten his hair cut at a place next to a thrift/consignment store.  He stopped in the thrift store, at which time I got a call:


"Hey Nick, they've got an old arcade machine in here for sale.  I'm not sure what it is.  You might want to check it out."

So I drive down (its less than a mile down the road), and sure enough, in the back corner of the place, sits a cabinet. 

And I don't claim to be an expert on gaming, but I'm pretty sure I remember what a Ninja Gaiden cab looks like (because that's what was being sold).  And what was being sold, was a RED namco/galaga cabinet, with a ninja gaiden marquee, and a horizontal monitor jammed in it, and a "TECHMO" sticker on each side.  In its current state, it would be a great hellcade item.  But I'm thinking "This could be a REALLY good opportunity for a galaga restore."

So I ask the store owner, "How much for the cab?"

To which he replies, "That's a consignment item.  $600."

And oh, how I laughed so jovially.

"Are you kidding?" I jabbed back.

"It's in perfect condition, and it works."

And I laugh a little more.

So I take a business card, write my number on the back of it, and tell the store owner, "Have him give me a call, so I can tell him what he's trying to sell."

We'll see what happens.

[fa001]

Hey, I had not thought about that. I could avoid storage costs by putting an arcade or two at a local consignment shop with a large price tag. If they sold that would be ok, if not they would be out of my way and "safe".

[Turnarcades]

Consignment stores? Not familiar with that term in the UK. Is it like a general-purpose pawn shop, like our Cash Converters? http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/

[Franco B]

How many chavs do you know who own arcade cabs bud? Im sure its only losers who step foot in there.

I'm interested to know about consignment stores too tho.

[CrazyKongFan]

Putting something on consignment means the place who is selling it for you gets a cut of your sale. Another hobby of mine is model railroading, and I have a bunch of stuff on consignment at a local hobby shop (stuff I don't use or need any more). The hobby shop gets 20% of my price if he sells it. I don't have to sell it at swap meets or ebay, and he gets more inventory in his store without laying out any money.

[Turnarcades]

Don't know ofany shops that really allow that near me, else I'd have a Turnarcades machine in every game shop local to me!

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

I figure he could justify that price if he were to revert it to its original game...otherwise, 

[Ummon]

20% isn't that bad. Most music stores around here don't do consignment much anymore, but when they did, and those that still do, charge 30%.

@Turnarcades: if they're pawn shops, I doubt they care as long as there's the prospect of money. However, they may allow someone to haggle the price without your consent because they're only winning if they sell it.

[ark_ader]

Consignment stores? Not familiar with that term in the UK. Is it like a general-purpose pawn shop, like our Cash Converters? http://www.cashconverters.co.uk/

No mate.  If it is a thrift shop, then its a Oxfam.  Consignment stores do not regularly sell arcade cabinets as they are usually expensive (the owners want the earth for them) and they are not technically minded.  Think of consignment a cross between a saleroom and an auctioneers.

If it was a thrift store, shouldn't we be looking past the price of the item.  The funds that are generated through sales goes towards a needy entity.  The way the original poster mocked the store employee is definately in bad taste, and shame on ArtsnF for being so insensitive.

It doesn't matter how much an item goes for, its that we are putting something back into the community, for those who are less fortunate than we are.

 

[WunderCade]

A "Thrift Store" in the US, is basically a second-hand, used-stuff store.

It can be ran by a non-profit organization, or it could be a "for profit" business. A thrift store usually will collect un-wanted items dropped off at their back dock, or donated items, second-hand items etc. Then they clean them up and sell them in the store cheaply. You can find a lot of vintage-era goods in thrift shops, like 1980's, 1970's furniture, kitchen items, odd and ends.

"Consignment Shops" are similar to thrift stores in that it is still second hand stuff being sold, but this stuff is "consigned" to the store by it's owner (an individual) and when the store sells the item, it takes a cut of the sale (like 15-20%).

Both are usually dealing in cheap used-stuff. Think yard sale, only in a store front setup.