Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[flashfire276]

I know at my local Goodwill and some other thrift stores, you can actually find a few classic racquets.

But at my biggest shock, my friend and I were browsing Goodwill, and found a 6.0 85 in probably 9/10 condition. It just had some minimal wear on the bumper, but not a scratch on the frame itself! Bought it for a measly $5.

 

[pshulam]

I know at my local Goodwill and some other thrift stores, you can actually find a few classic racquets.

But at my biggest shock, my friend and I were browsing Goodwill, and found a 6.0 85 in probably 9/10 condition. It just had some minimal wear on the bumper, but not a scratch on the frame itself! Bought it for a measly $5.

That's terrific find for $5.

 

[Keifers]

PT280 excellent condition for $5.

 

[retrowagen]

My best single one probably was a Wilson JK Staff 85 in really nice condition for $2.99. Best haul was a Prince Comp Series 110, Dunlop Max 200g, and Slazenger Silhouette all for $2.99 each on the same day at the same store! I've also found Kneissl White Star Mids, Snauwaerts of various types, a perfect Adidas Haillet, lots of Yonex frames, etc. But lately the pickings have been pretty slim.

Today's ray of sunshine came in the form of a Prince Woodie with cover in really immaculate condition, but sadly warped about 1/4" from perfect, for $2.75.

 

[khw72004]

I have found many rackets at the thrift. I have came across 2 Wilson Pro Staff 85, one in 9/10 bumperless SV, the other is was a 7/10 Taiwan. But the best thing I have seen come from a thrift store was a mint, brand new with tag Volkl Zebra. One of my good friends snatched it and traded it to me a while back.

 

[Virginia]

My best buys were a Slazenger Phantom (the original) for NZ$2 and of course my original Prestige Pro for $5, the latter in mint, unplayed condition. The Slazenger is 9/10.

Oh and a Superform XL for $1.50.

 

[pshulam]

My best deal was a Wilson Sting (8/10 condition) for $5 at Goodwill.

 

[SplitStepper]

I got a prince original graphite 90 for $3.

 

[tennis005]

I got an Ultra FPK 95 for $5.

 

[Hall of Fame Racquets]

Thrift Store Racquet Specials!!

I didn't have a wood racquet in my possession when I began my collection in February 1997. When I was inspired by my stringer's wall collection of old racquets I searched out 80 thrift stores over the next three years and purchased in good condition my first thousand racquets. They were mainly from the 1960-1990 period but there were many many great buys. My favorite experience was going to one of these thrift stores in a nearby city and when I was leaving with a few "treasures" I encountered a homeless person who seeing my rackets from the store indicated he had rackets to sell me. He took me to his "shelter" and he offered to sell me a dozen rackets including one like Margaret Court used to win the Grand Slam in 1970. I couldn't believe my good fortune! Naturally I accepted his offer very quickly!

I haven't been on the "thrift store circuit" much in the last ten years but those were exciting days!! I have listings of every racquet and price in my collection of 4200 racquets and it is great fun to review that initial phase of my tennis racquet collecting history. Also, I really came to a rich appreciation for the work that thrift stores do in every community!

 

[flashfire276]

My best deal was a Wilson Sting (8/10 condition) for $5 at Goodwill.

That's a great buy! I'm a big fan of the Wilson's Sting line!

 

[Virginia]

I have listings of every racquet and price in my collection of 4200 racquets and it is great fun to review that initial phase of my tennis racquet collecting history. Also, I really came to a rich appreciation for the work that thrift stores do in every community!

I have listings of all mine too, including the date of issue, date of purchase and where I got them (quite a number were gifts).

I decided to do this after the first dozen or so and I'm so glad I did, otherwise I wouldn't know what I had. That must apply even more to you!

Sometimes, when looking something up in my list, I come across one and think "Wow, I didn't realise I had that one!"

 

[ayuname]

I wanted to do this but I realized there was no Goodwill near my house.

 

[galain]

My Max 200G I got for $2 because the string was broken, and my Precision Response 660 (ok - not really a classic) was $5 - also due to a busted string. i haven't found much lately though, and was wondering if this was because more people were opting to sell things on the Bay...

 

[MarrratSafin]

I have listings of all mine too, including the date of issue, date of purchase and where I got them (quite a number were gifts).

I decided to do this after the first dozen or so and I'm so glad I did, otherwise I wouldn't know what I had. That must apply even more to you!

Sometimes, when looking something up in my list, I come across one and think "Wow, I didn't realise I had that one!"

I still consider your Prestige Pro as the GOAT thrift store find Virginia. Beats me why one haven't appear in Wellington stores yet after countless visits.:evil:

 

[stoo]

Just picked up a Donnay Fiberwood in 9/10 condition for $1 today.

This thing weighs a ton. Can't wait to get out and hit with it tonight.

 

[SOY78]

Dunlop Black Max for $2.99, Dunlop Max Ply Fort for $0.99, same prices for Wilson Kramer Autograph, Bancoft BJK autograph and Wilson Chris Evert autograph

 

[Tennis Man]

My best find was a mint original Max 200G for something like $2.99. The funny thing is there was a 50% sale that day.

 

[Barricade V]

Wilson T2000 at a town dump "swap shop" for free.

 

[mberrevoets]

Head elite pro, the prestige-like one, not the wide body 5 dollars. PS85 SV bumperless 5$. Prokennex silver ace 5 dollars. Wilson ceramic also 5 dollars. Not bad. Elite pro is my pride and joy, very rare.

 

[joe sch]

Pair of 1880s Extreme Lob tennis racquets.
They were in this old tennis box that also included an old net and net posts. The box was really weathered and needed a good dusting. I was soo surprised when I opened it up and found those very rare racquets in nice condition. Boy was I disapointed when I awoke.

 

[Virginia]

LOL
10 chars

 

[Ross K]

For real... I got a pretty good condition 200G Black Max Pro the other day for 1 GB pound (about 2 bucks!) :shock:

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

For real... I got a pretty good condition 200G Black Max Pro the other day for 1 GB pound (about 2 bucks!) :shock:

Ross, if that's the same one whose photo you posted in the other thread, that's a Max 200G Pro. (And if not, ne'er mind.) The Black Max was an earlier racquet: not as highly regarded as the Max 200G, but a sweet stick nonetheless.

My best is less impressive than much of the thread, but I'm fairly new at thrift-shop-combing. For US$10 I got a Jack Kramer Autograph with dark blue string that I believe is Blue Star, a Yonex Carbonex (white with black trim), and a Black Max. The BM and the Kramer are in beautiful shape. The Carbonex, which I didn't even know about before a recent thread here, hits nicely, but the paint is starting to get those horizontal cracks on the shaft that woodie paint jobs get.

 

[dlesser13]

Just picked up three fischer pro impacts, and two pro staff classic 6.1's today all for 23 bucks. STEAL.

 

[retrowagen]

Head elite pro, the prestige-like one, not the wide body 5 dollars. PS85 SV bumperless 5$. Prokennex silver ace 5 dollars. Wilson ceramic also 5 dollars. Not bad. Elite pro is my pride and joy, very rare.

Everyone who is lucky enough to find one of these seems to love it.

 

[Avles]

Pro Kennex Black Ace (the old kind) and Dunlop Black Max, $2 apiece-- though I don't think I have the skills to make good use of them.

But today I found a Prince CTS Precision 110 in pretty good condition-- I tried it out in place of the TT Warrior I've been using, and it felt great. I may stick with it.

 

[justinyyang]

Mine is a Ken Rosewall Seamco. Haven't found anything better ever since (haha).

 

[slice bh compliment]

I haven't been on a thrift store tennis racquet run since the early 90s. But that was a good day:
A Donnay allwood, a Dunlop Maxply, a t2000 and a Kramer Autograph. All in playable shape....all for the cost of about three (retail) beers. The gift that keeps on giving.

 

[whomad15]

There was a wilson pro staff of some version at my local goodwill, I was just starting to read into this forum and so didnt grab it at the time, went back a few days later and it was gone =( no other luck finding racquets other than that, I personally pass on the wood since I'm not collecting one's that I wouldn't ever play with

 

[michael_1265]

Wilson T3K and T5K, both immaculate (might never have been hit), $5 each at Goodwill.

 

[gpt]

My best thrift shop buy was 2 x Dunlop max 200G's with covers in 8/10 condition with original grips and strings for $3 each

 

[michael_1265]

My best thrift shop buy was 2 x Dunlop max 200G's with covers in 8/10 condition with original grips and strings for $3 each

That's awesome. I have been looking for a 200G.

 

[Hannah19]

Slazenger Vilas International (grip sealed): $3,50
Mint PS 95: $1,50
Max 200G: 9/10, $3,50
Maxply McEnroe: 9/10, $5,00
GTX-PRO with matching racketbag: $7,00

Should i continue...??

Thriftstores in the Netherlands are a great source for vtg rackets.

 

[max]

You guys are SO lucky. I'm actually jealous.

I once found a fabulous, near new, condition Wilson Stan Smith at a Good Will for a buck. But usually I just run into worn out junk department store crap. Must be the neighborhood.

 

[Eightmarky]

My breadth of knowledge on racquets doesn't go beyond more than what I've played with or tested. Is the excitement over these finds more sentimental or because there is real antique value?

 

[Tennis Man]

My breadth of knowledge on racquets doesn't go beyond more than what I've played with or tested. Is the excitement over these finds more sentimental or because there is real antique value?

It's a very good point. It's actually both most of the time. When I see something like a mint first edition Max 200G with a spotless cover, my heart starts pounding. It's a great experience. It's almost like finding a clean 1969 Mustang sitting on somebody's farm for a $1,000. It happens but so rarely.

Yesterday, I stoped by a local Goodwill during lunch and saw something interesting, a beautifully made clean Garcia Graphite woodie with a French aluminum head press and cover. I wish I knew anything about this frame.

Should I had spent $6.99 for it? I decided to leave to other collectors.

 

[Virginia]

You should have bought that Garcia - it's both beautiful and highly collectable. I have one myself.

 

[Tennis Man]

You should have bought that Garcia - it's both beautiful and highly collectable. I have one myself.

I hope it's still there. It's been only 1 day. I go and pick it up. I actually liked it more than Head Vilas. It's made so solid.

I found this thread about a similar racquet:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=129266

 

[Eightmarky]

But for the most part you guys are just racquet junkies?

 

[max]

I've seen pictures of the Garcia. It's pretty.

 

[max]

My best thrift shop buy was 2 x Dunlop max 200G's with covers in 8/10 condition with original grips and strings for $3 each

You've just described the kit in my tennis bag.

 

[gpt]

You've just described the kit in my tennis bag.

Nice kit there Max.

Yesterday i picked up a Wilson T 3000 and a Bancroft BJK signature woodie. Both with covers for $4. Except for the grip, the Bancroft is mint.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Recently I found a Fox "Super Fox" (with the elongated head) in nearly perfect condition- found it on the coast where prices are higher- $15.00. More recently, I found a Snauwaert "Dyno" at a local thrift shop for $2.95- a very solid racket.

 

[weksa]

I would try to pick up this Dunlop Select Pro Revelation ISIS (w/ nice looking original cover) if only the 4 1/2 grip size weren't too big for me -- I look for frames that I can play. Perhaps one of you would like it.

I visited 5 thrift stores the other day and found nothing worthwhile. Just some scraggly cheapo's. So sad.

 

[MIGHTY MANFRED THE WONDER]

Tennis is big in the Southwest, obviously...Tucson, Phoenix and Palm Springs CA. always have something to buy cheap.
The T2000,T3000s with covers- I sell them in sets/ by the batches-

I pick up a lot of "famous" player wood frames in perfect (almost untouched condition)- Pancho, Stan Smith or Chrissies, I like to hold on to the very best of the "photo/neck" rackets-esp. of lesser known players.

Best find- Donnay BORG racket, cover in mint condition and a matching (signed) autobiography a couple days apart.

 

[magnut]

Found a 98% Winchester racquet (as good as the gun)for $8. Could not believe how much it was worth when I looked it up.

It will be my little boys some day. Now it just sits in the closet.

 

[gpt]

this thread shows the other racquets i scored with the 200G's


http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=275149

 

[slice bh compliment]

I've seen pictures of the Garcia. It's pretty.

The club where I grew up carried Garcia. I had the Cragin 240 and then I got a pair of Garcia Graphites (open throated, standard sized wood, black paint, some orange stripes and a graphite inlay).

When I switched back to a Maxply, I gave it to a friend whose last name was...Garcia. Then years later, I traded a bag for a Cragin 240 in a 4 and 5/8 medium (my size) with a guy who got it for $5 at a thrift/benefit store like a Goodwill or something.

 

[MarckM]

... by the batch?

Tennis is big in the Southwest, obviously...Tucson, Phoenix and Palm Springs CA. always have something to buy cheap.
The T2000,T3000s with covers- I sell them in sets/ by the batches-

I pick up a lot of "famous" player wood frames in perfect (almost untouched condition)- Pancho, Stan Smith or Chrissies, I like to hold on to the very best of the "photo/neck" rackets-esp. of lesser known players.

Best find- Donnay BORG racket, cover in mint condition and a matching (signed) autobiography a couple days apart.

Time has not allowed me to go shopping here, but you let go of the T2K's and T3K's by the droves? Maybe we should "talk", would prefer to have a couple of back ups instead of the one I have now (sentimental reasons).