Today I did what I like to do on Fridays – Check out the Garage sales. We also have another place in Wisconsin I like to go on Fridays – it’s called SWAP – Surpluss With A Purpose. The place is basically filled with government and University discards – including computers equipment. I have purchased many an item from SWAP and have been happy with what I got. Heck, you can even build a “Mad Scientist Lab” through this store.
However, the one thing that I have been seeing lately is LCD monitors. Lots of them for $40 each. Apple LCD’s and newer monitors for $75. And what’s even more interesting is I’ve not only seen them at SWAP, but at garage sales as well.
Last week I saw 3 Dell Flatscreen 15″ monitors for $20-$30. This week a buddy picked up a 17″ monitor for $25. He plugged it in and it worked like a charm. No dead pixels, no spots.
It really begs the question that if you have a CRT on your computer, why hasn’t it been replaced? Now before you can say “I cannot afford $40 for a LCD”, think of this: Within 2 years, your CRT monitor will have eaten up more power to cover the LCD. An LCD produces less heat than a CRT, which will be nice in the winter, but may not be in the summer. Even if you get the brand new LCD, that will save you more than keeping the CRT.
Now when you go “Saleing”, it’s important to find out why they are getting rid of the monitor. Most of the time, they just got another one – maybe even a new computer. However, if you get the chance to turn it on and look at it – even if there is no computer attached – then do so. You might just see something you don’t like.
We all love finding deals – especially in this day and age. If you hunt right, you will find some great stuff for your computer. So happy saleing and don’t forget – dispose of those CRT’s in a proper manner.
I *wish* I could find a flat screen for $40 at a garage sale or something like SWAP. The closest thing we have in this area is the university surplus auction. There, the monitors are sold by the palate and they go on the expensive side. The people who buy them also buy the surplus computers, cobble them all together, then sell them in Mexico for a huge profit.
Another reason for me to miss Wisconsin!! Sales here are on Saturdays (sometimes Wednesdays). I hardly ever see worthy equipment at yard/garage sales, but I could use something like SWAP. Here, everything that goes to surplus from my campus goes to an auction clearing house where it is sold at auction. I’d much rather go to a “store” and just browse around and pick up a few useful things.
It was time last year to ditch those things :)