Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[Hannah19]

Do I see KNQ and HIQ in the buttcap codes?????!!!!!
That means st Vincent for sure....!!!

Kaching.........

[MarrratSafin]

Originally Posted by Sanglier

This has been at the top of my 'probably never gonna happen to me' fantasy list since I contracted the thrifting disease last year. Can't believe that it actually happened!

Epicness.

10 chars

[Sanglier]

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Do I see KNQ and HIQ in the buttcap codes?????!!!!!
That means st Vincent for sure....!!!

The one on the left is either a 'JHQ' or 'JNQ', but the connecting bar in the middle of the letter is no longer visible. The frame is bumpered.

These are my second and third SV85. I bought the first one about 20 years ago from PIAS and believed then that I was done with my chase for cool racquets (little did I know how premature that assumption was, and how much worse the condition was going to get). I didn't even know at the time that there was a way to tell apart Chicago and SV models via the codes. It's only in recent years that I learned the significance of the 'JWQ' lettering on the butt cap of that frame.

What I find interesting is that even though 'W' comes after either 'H' or 'N', my old 'JWQ' is bumperless, while the newly acquired JH(N)Q is bumpered. The code sequence must not have progressed on a purely alphabetical basis.

Looking through the archives here, I found at least one instance where someone had a 'JNQ' that was bumperless; so perhaps mine is a 'JHQ'? Or the switch occurred in the middle of the 'JNQ' lot? Or maybe mine was refitted with a later type grommet strip by the previous owner? The latter seems unlikely however, given the overall lack of wear on the frame (some of the recessed areas were literally covered in moth cocoons).

Regardless, I've probably exhausted my thrifting mojo for a while...

[Bowtiesarecool]

my wife found this at some five and dime in the hood. $5... 9/10 condition(no damener, sigh) http://www.flickr.com/photos/8737392...in/photostream

[Bowtiesarecool]

Originally Posted by Bowtiesarecool

my wife found this at some five and dime in the hood. $5... 9/10 condition(no damener, sigh) http://www.flickr.com/photos/8737392...in/photostream

I fail at uploading photos. If the link doesn't work, it's a T5000 in near perfect condition.

[texacali]

I own one of those and the WB 210. Actually liked hitting with the 210 more. Picked up my 215 at a pro shop in the mid-90's, probably at the end of the WB life line. Maybe $20-$25. Surprised that on bid site, folks are asking about $40.00 for these rackets.

Originally Posted by dak95_00

Found a ATP Fox Precision Ceramic in nearly new condition. Only a couple of scrapes to the bumper and 1 small one to the frame.

On the side says "WB-215 SERIES PROVIDES THE POWER OF OVERSIZE WITHOUT ANY TRAMPOLINE EFFECTS AT LOWER STRING TENSIONS"

On the bridge on one side it says "DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF TENNIS PROFESSIONALS BY WARREN BOSWORTH"

I saw a couple just like it on that auction site. It doesn't appear to be very collectible but it is strange w/ the first 8 mains being strung right through the throat.

[Slim Pickens]

Picked up a Wilson Sting 110 with original leather grip and a Pro Kennex Graphite Saber 30 also with original leather for $5.00. Both are in 9.5+ condition with what looks to be factory original string. The PK Saber has one of the thinnest beams I have ever seen!!!

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by Slim Pickens

Picked up a Wilson Sting 110 with original leather grip and a Pro Kennex Graphite Saber 30 also with original leather for $5.00. Both are in 9.5+ condition with what looks to be factory original string. The PK Saber has one of the thinnest beams I have ever seen!!!

I used to string at least one Saber A DAY for a fellow pro at a private club in Atlanta ! The guy was an absolute animal, just off the tour. The worn area destroyed in the middle of the strings was only very slightly larger than the ball. I told him if he spread out his hitting zone a bit, the strings might last more than 6 hours! Not the best racket for string life anyway, but sheesh!

[SFrazeur]

I got so excited today! A Prince Graphite original for $1.99!

Then I saw it. . .Cracked. :~ (

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by SFrazeur

I got so excited today! A Prince Graphite original for $1.99!

Then I saw it. . .Cracked. :~ (

I've had that twice in the last six weeks - both POGs. I have also found a Graphite Comp 110 that was worn badly into the graphite and a Spectrum Comp OS with the headguard cracked into many pieces. All racquets I would have loved if they weren't so darn abused.

I've come up pretty dry for the last couple months but I did find a Pro Kennex Copper Ace 90 - the teal one with a red stripe - in a 8.5-9 condition for $5 that place quite nice.

[SFrazeur]

Originally Posted by jonestim

I've had that twice in the last six weeks - both POGs. I have also found a Graphite Comp 110 that was worn badly into the graphite and a Spectrum Comp OS with the headguard cracked into many pieces. All racquets I would have loved if they weren't so darn abused.

I've come up pretty dry for the last couple months but I did find a Pro Kennex Copper Ace 90 - the teal one with a red stripe - in a 8.5-9 condition for $5 that place quite nice.

Not a lot out there in my area this time of year. This is the first POG I've found "in the wild".

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by SFrazeur

Not a lot out there in my area this time of year. This is the first POG I've found "in the wild".

I found a 4 stripe mid last summer for $8 with original grip and grommets in good enough shape to restring a few times. Paint in about a 6.5-7 condition.

This summer I found a Straight Shaft OS with no grip and demolished grommets for $2. The paint is in an 8 condition.

I also picked up a Graphite Pro 110 which is a thinner beamed, softer version for $10 and a Graphite II OS for $12. Both of those were at our local version of a Play It Again. They have a Speedport Red that is going down to $12.50 on monday, but it is a grip size to small and I don't really need a more powerful racquet.

[Racquet Daddy]

Here's a pic of the Silver Ace I grabbed a few weeks ago. Grip says L3, but it feels much bigger than 3/8. And today, behind some golf bags, I saw a racquet case and pulled out a Yonex RD-7. It looks like it's never been played with. I'm not a Yonex guy, so I looked up the specs - pretty sweet. Might swing it this week.

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by Racquet Daddy

Here's a pic of the Silver Ace I grabbed a few weeks ago. Grip says L3, but it feels much bigger than 3/8. And today, behind some golf bags, I saw a racquet case and pulled out a Yonex RD-7. It looks like it's never been played with. I'm not a Yonex guy, so I looked up the specs - pretty sweet. Might swing it this week.

Nicely done. Our local GWs would price those quite a bit higher unless the strings were broken or some similar defect.

The grip on the Silver Ace looks pretty round, as though it has been built up. Easy enough to check by removing(starting) the grip.

I played the RD-7 for about a year...always felt too bulky...used the Cyborg for a while after that...still clubby, but you could murder groundies with either.

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by coachrick

Nicely done. Our local GWs would price those quite a bit higher unless the strings were broken or some similar defect.

Our Goodwill prices just about every racquet at $8, whether or not it is in good shape. Cracked grommets and headguard - $8. POG with a crack big enough to have the side caving in - $8. Perfect - $8. Pefect with case - $12. There is more variability at the smaller shops in town where they can be $2-12.

I don't think any shop around here would have priced that at $2.99. Great find.

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by jonestim

Our Goodwill prices just about every racquet at $8, whether or not it is in good shape. Cracked grommets and headguard - $8. POG with a crack big enough to have the side caving in - $8. Perfect - $8. Pefect with case - $12. There is more variability at the smaller shops in town where they can be $2-12.

I don't think any shop around here would have priced that at $2.99. Great find.

That sounds about right. Unfortunately, at least one G-w here stickers the covers as well as the rackets. 50/50 chance that the register person will sell the proper set for the one price. Took me a while one day to convince the cashier that a 200G cover with a busted zipper wasn't worth the same price as the racket!

[Sarcastic]

I bought three PDP Fiberstaffs that were NOS ,never strung, hang tags still on them and each has a cover. Two of the zippers don't work. Beautiful with no scratches, still have them.

[khw72004]

Originally Posted by Racquet Daddy

Here's a pic of the Silver Ace I grabbed a few weeks ago. Grip says L3, but it feels much bigger than 3/8. And today, behind some golf bags, I saw a racquet case and pulled out a Yonex RD-7. It looks like it's never been played with. I'm not a Yonex guy, so I looked up the specs - pretty sweet. Might swing it this week.

Great find. The RD-7 is a solid racket. I have had two before and gave them to one of my best friends because he tried it out and fell in love with it.

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by jonestim

Our Goodwill prices just about every racquet at $8, whether or not it is in good shape. Cracked grommets and headguard - $8. POG with a crack big enough to have the side caving in - $8. Perfect - $8. Pefect with case - $12. There is more variability at the smaller shops in town where they can be $2-12.

I don't think any shop around here would have priced that at $2.99. Great find.

Your Goodwill prices are higher than I'm used to. The highest I've seen is $6.25, with the vast majority of racquets $2.99-$4.25.

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by jonestim

I've had that twice in the last six weeks - both POGs. I have also found a Graphite Comp 110 that was worn badly into the graphite and a Spectrum Comp OS with the headguard cracked into many pieces. All racquets I would have loved if they weren't so darn abused.

I've come up pretty dry for the last couple months but I did find a Pro Kennex Copper Ace 90 - the teal one with a red stripe - in a 8.5-9 condition for $5 that place quite nice.

Tell me if you ever want to trade that Copper Ace. It is one that I had back in the day, and I've been wanting to try it again. I have lots of classic graphite trade bait.
Edited: Sorry, I forgot about the "no trade" rule in this forum.