Has Anyone Ever Bought Retro Systems From Goodwill?

[Mad_Hatter]

I could not find my old Genesis 2, so I checked out a Goodwill and they had one (with all the cables) selling for $24.99. I was thinking about buying it, but it was "As Is". And there are no refunds. And you cannot test the system there. Which is a total scam since you are paying for something with a chance of actually working.

Have any of you guys bought from Goodwill. Were you ever able to test the systems there? Or get a refund of the system is broken?

Were the systems you bought actually working?

[CRTGAMER]

I don't see why you couldn't test it by yourself with one of the TVs on sale there. No need to alert an employee, just walk over to the TVs and plug everything in.

[Michi]

^ What he said.

I've never been to a thrift store before that outright refused to let me test something I was looking at, especially if they didn't bother to test it themselves. Hell, I was in the electronic section of a thrift store today and while one of the employees was testing out a stereo, she pointed out a couple of old laptops they'd just got in and told me that they worked but "there's the power cord and an open outlet right over there."

As for Goodwill themselves, of the two stores I frequent, one in town and one out of town, both have a 'plug' station of some kind near where all the electronics are. As long as there's a TV nearby to test it on, just mosey on over and plug everything in. I would really be surprised if anybody said anything negative to you about doing that.

[Mad_Hatter]

Well the issue is they keep all the video game stuff secured behind glass. And they are all wrapped, bagged, and tapped with a big fat sticker on there saying "As Is".

The DVD players and VCRs are right there next to the TV. But the Video game consoles are behind the glass in another section.

[BoneSnapDeez]

"As Is" simply means that they don't have the knowledge/resources/manpower to test it, not that it doesn't work.

Definitely ask if you can test it. If they say no, walk. $25 is too much for a questionable Genesis.

I've had decent luck at Goodwill. I got a Didj just the other week (don't laugh) and it works beautifully.

[Mad_Hatter]

I was kind of in a rush today, but I will ask them next time.

[KDub]

Are you sure you can't return it? Every Goodwill I have been to has a return policy for electronics that end up not working. Heck I've returned a VHS box set before because when I got home one of the tapes was actually missing.

And in all honesty with a little effort and maybe 10 to 15 more bucks you could score a good condition Genesis bundle with games on eBay,

[Cronozilla]

I've bought multiple systems from goodwill. And they have an outlet rack next to the TVs for this very reason. You may need to move stuff around, but like people said ... you can test stuff before you buy it (they actually encourage it)

I have one system I bought there that I didn't test, because they didn't have the cables and it was a good deal, even if it's broken. But everything else I bought there I tested and they work and they all still work. (A Dreamcast, Genesis 2, two PS1s, and an Xbox)

But ... you can totally test it ... as long as you have the necessary components. What I've found is my local ones have started separating stuff when they're brought in. So, you might find a $8 Genesis ... but the video cable and power adapter is tossed in the cord mess, as well as any controllers that came with it. And the games would be tossed somewhere else too.

They even separate Guitar Hero guitars from the packed in game when they're brought in together. It's quite aggravating.

And, yes, if it says "AS IS" on it, you cannot return it ... and most electronic items can't be returned anyway. And, even if you can return anything there, you'll get store credit.

The upside to goodwill is if you have one of their cards. You build up points on it and get store credit for doing so ... it's not too bad, since you'd likely be buying stuff there anyway.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Yeah my local Goodwill cashiers actually inform me of their return policy every time I check out. Is there an exception when it comes to As Is goods? I have no idea.

[Mad_Hatter]

Yep, it had a giant sticker on it saying "As Is.. No Returns".

I'm just going to ask them if I can test it out one of their CRT TVs. The Genesis I saw had all the cords and cables.

I have not went to Goodwill since the 90s, and this was the first time I went to seek retro gaming systems.

Going to check eBay out too.