Hello!
This message is to anyone who lives in the Northern Virginia / Fairfax / Woodbridge / Manassas / etc. areas...
So, I have (admittedly) been sitting quiet on this place for about 2 years now. But there is a Thrift Store in Woodbridge VA (a little southeast of Fairfax or Arlington). It is called Village Thrift:
13770 Smoketown Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22192
This is a pretty good thrift store all around. not too bad with prices, and on Sundays and Mondays (and Thursdays too, I think) they offer 33% - 50% off everything in the store....
But that's not why we're here.
If you live in the area, and have the means to do so, GET TO THIS PLACE TUESDAYS BETWEEN 11:30 AND 2, AND/OR WEDNESDAYS BETWEEN 11 AND 3. Honestly, the longer you can spend here during those time frames the better. Why? Because THAT is when they put out their new stock. Sure, it varies week to week, and these times are not set in stone, but after two years of pretty much every week, I can firmly state this time slot is a lock.
So what do they sell? Well, pretty much everything. Here are there prices:
NES/SNES/GENESIS/N64 - between $2 and $2
PS1/DREAMCAST/CD-I/ TG 16/ GAMEBOY - $2
GBA/SATURN/ LONGBOX PS1/ 3DO - $3-$4
PS2/XBOX - $6.90
GAMECUBE - $3.90 OR $6.90...pretty inconsistent, some mark them one way, some the other
36-/PS3/Wii/Wii U/ DS - $12.90
So while these prices aren't great, what is great is that when they get these items in, they usually come in bulk. So while occasionally you will find one or two N64 games, most likely there are about 10-20, and GOOD titles. Thy get their merchandise from a distributor as well as donations. SO often when a truck comes in, there is a large amount of one of two systems and games.
I have gone to this store almost every Tues or Wed for almost 2 years. During this time I have amassed the following: (all of this is 100% true, and if you scroll through the monthly pickups, you will see I have posted these airly regularly)
Smash Bros (multiple)
Smash Brash Melee
Mario 64 (6 or 7 different times)
Ocarina of Time (3 or 4 times)
Majora's Mask (3 or 4 times)
Windwaker (10x...no joke, 10 different times at least)
Mega Man Legends
Mega Man Legends 2
Digimon World 2
Dozens and dozens of PS1 games including Spyro, Crash, Tomb raider, Resident Evil, etc
Resident Evil Code Veronica for Gamecbe
Pretty much every Mario title from the Wii back to NES (not counting handhelds)
Every single Zelda title at least once (not counting CD-i or 3ds)
Zelda: Wand of Gamelon
Donkey Kong Country 1-3
Mega Man X
Paper Mario
Every version of Mario Kart
TONS of Genesis games ranging from Streets of Rage to Shinobi
Lots of basic GB and GBC games, some still sealed in box
And lots and lots of decent games overall.
...I have NEVER seen pokemon games, and RPGs that aren't Final Fantasy titles are ridiculously scarce.
I usually bought every time I saw, and would just sell them or trade them. I have spent THOUSANDS at this place, but my collection has almost every game I want in it now.
I kid you not, from January 2013 until now I have nearly doubled my collection. And the games that were doubles I would make the money back that I spent - 10 N64 games cost me $20...I sell one copy of Smash Bros for $40 and make a $20 profit AND get to keep the other 9 games.
And that's just the games! The systems are less common. I still ave NOT seen an NES. But I have purchased 6 or 7 complete N64s, a handful on SNES, I havent bought them all, but I have seen dozens of different game cubes. And they seem to always have an Xbox or PS2. Systems aren't priced the best, usually between $20 and $30 for a complete two controller system. GBAs or DS usually go for about $10 - $15.
But then they sell the controllers. $3 or $4 each, and they have had everything from NES to Wii U and PS3, not all at the same time mind you, but usually here and there. 1st party, 3rd party, turbo, colored, wireless, etc.
The reason this place is such a goldmine is that it is in a pretty rich county. The area itself is ok, but it is surrounded by some of the wealthiest in the country, who have no problem donating Wi U systems and pro controllers 6 months after launch (seriously, somebody donated a Wii U back last year, I didin't get the system in time, but I did grab a pro controller)
So anyway, I am moving to San Diego next week and went to the store for the last time - sadly, it was kind of uneventful (except for Game of Thrones season 2 on Blu for $6.90)
If you live in the area and can get there easily, I recommend it. But be warned...THIS IS NOT GUARANTEED. like I said, I did this over a year and a half. Some days were 20 n64 titles kind of days, others I left with nothing. Most days were a game or two, a controller, maybe a movie.
If anyone does go, good luck. And keep these times in mind. This is a secret to most, but those who do know are aware of its capabilities and stuff goes fast. Hence waiting for sales and "after work" times can prove fruitless.
Happy hunting!
