http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/28/goodwill-game-store/

Quote :

"Thrift stores: better known for dusty shirts, potential Halloween costumes and used Jenga sets. Well, Goodwill wants to change that a bit with its recent launch of The Grid, a dedicated electronics and video game specialty shop located in North Carolina. The outfit tells IGN that not only will it sell video game hardware itself, but it's arranged a deal with vendors to supply each console (even retro units) with new power and A/V cables -- stuff that can often be a bear to source. Oh, and there's Raspberry Pi and a selection of flat-screens on offer too. But what if console gaming isn't your bag? The Grid also sells laptops and gaming PCs, and, as the video below shows, even has an Oculus Rift demo station set up."

http://imgur.com/a/YEMPF

8/28/2014 4:51:40 PM

If that is where I think it is, based on the picture of the storefront, it's in the same shopping center as the Flying Saucer. The Flying Saucer is the only non-carryout/delivery tenant to survive there, the rest of the place is either take out joints, a chinese buffet, and a smoke shop. It's a decent idea, but it's in a shitty spot. Also, there is a small business called Save Point Video Games on the other side of campus (Hwy 49) that does almost the exact same thing and has a great reputation.

8/28/2014 5:02:57 PM

From what I've heard, it's all jacked ass prices. No better than any other video game reseller. Which would make sense because Goodwill has been total garbage for getting any sort of decent deal on old video games for years now.

8/28/2014 11:32:56 PM

The electronics dedicated Goodwill is not new. My buddy who owns Save Point Video Games used to get stuff from there.

Save Point Video Games (located across from UNCC campus) is the best store for retro consoles and games IMO.

[Edited on August 28, 2014 at 11:42 PM. Reason : ^^did not read all of that before posting]

8/28/2014 11:41:59 PM

If it's owned by Goodwill, I assume they take donated video games and consoles, and sell them for a profit. Since that's what Goodwill does. Take free shit and sell it. And people continue to donate to them, because they think they're actually some kind of charity.

8/29/2014 12:04:02 AM

they are a charity. they are a non-profit. the proceeds from sales go toward various causes:
"It is a not-for-profit organization that provides job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges. "

8/29/2014 12:15:28 AM

They sure are generous, giving people with disabilities jobs

and paying them 20% of minimum wage

8/29/2014 12:26:30 AM

i did a shit ton of community service at Goodwill about 5 years ago. Put it this way, I was there against my own will and was basically an Asst. Manager by the time i finished based on the fact that the other employees were absolute morons.

8/29/2014 7:49:53 AM

Just what I needed, another money pit next to the Saucer!
A month ago I tried out the Occulus Rift on display, not yet for sale at the time & laughed at the $300 Metal Storm for NES in box on display. The store is infinitely better than its previous Freedom Drive "Computer Works" location or Greensboro's "Computer Junction" along the itchy side of downtown, but yes, bawktastic prices and a looming fear of just when this'll follow the fate of the previous Tweeter or Now! AV that haunted the same block eight years ago.

8/29/2014 8:00:31 AM

TreeTwista10 said:

Quote :

"They sure are generous, giving people with disabilities jobs and paying them 20% of minimum wage"

Hey, it's not like the full minimum wage is livable anyway.

8/29/2014 8:02:37 AM

^^next time you are on the south side of the city check out a place called "2nd & Charles". lots of vintage and old school electronics/video games. Not sure you'll find any earthbound hidden gems or things like that but you may come out with something.

8/29/2014 8:09:26 AM

Nice I was hoping this would devolve into a conversation on Goodwill.

8/29/2014 12:31:51 PM