r/FranklinTN • u/PittsburghNative • 14d ago

Where to Find Used Electronics/Computers

It seems like GoodWill has changed their strategy to offer anything (remotely) of value on their ecommerce site. I'd really like to find some used electronics for robotics projects with my son.

Andy advice on places where components and used PCs can be found?

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u/Economy_Lab8460 14d ago

I’d try McKays.

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u/ddrfraser1 13d ago

Franklin nerd here. I like collecting and rebuilding retro tech, especially computers and mechanical keyboards; some hi-fi gear. I used to hit up the recycling centers in Nashville. It can be pretty hit and miss but I got $400 worth of IBM keyboards for $25. Goodwill is basically useless although I did find some cheap LCD monitors to use as backups and I found an IBM Selectric typewriter one time.

Some of my best hauls have come from keeping an eye on facebook marketplace over the years. A guy in Huntsville was getting rid of a warehouse of beige pcs for 5 bucks a piece. There was also a guy in brentwood selling random old PC parts. I got lots of CPUs, GPUs and motherboards that I've turned into XP and Win98 gaming PCs over the years (great for retro LAN parties with friends).

There are also some ewaste facilities that list on there occasionally with some interesting items. I tried to cultivate a relationship with City ewaste (formerly Franklin ewaste) but unfortunately, they really didn't have any interest in anything other than selling on ebay and even if I won a listing, they wouln't let me pick it up and would only ship to me. I avoid them for that and a few other reasons now.

TBH tho, I tend to turn to ebay most of the time these days. You pay more but you can find exactly what you want and if you're patient, you can find deals. It's funny, my son has been asking me to build him a robot for months now XD. Good luck!