Hidden Treasures and Goodwill Computerworks Museum is open - *

From: Bill Dawson <whdawson_at_mlynk.com>
Date: Mon Aug 21 16:58:24 2000

Second post of correction, since some seem to have missed it:

To all,

Please note the correction in the description of the one IBM system
available below. I meant PC jr, not PS/1. Somehow, I hope this is
related to a major blow I received on my head last night in an accident,
which cut my scalp about 1.5 across and peeled it back about 2 inches.
This would have to be in a place where I had already lost hair. If this
isn't related, then it was just a stupid mistake d8^)


I guess this an appropriate topic to put out the word about a fairly
obscure organization in SW PA that regularly has vintage computers for
sale at their Canonsburg location (and now on this list) and my
relationship with them. The main organization is called The Washington
City Mission, which is a Christian Homeless Rehabilitation Shelter, and
they operate five "Hidden Treasures" retail stores in the local area.
They also operate the Avis Arbor Women's Shelter.

Drop-offs are accepted at all store locations, but they also have
several box vans which are out in the community during the weekdays
making pickups which are arranged by donors calling in.

Quoting from their literature:

"Five Hidden Treasures thrift stores in Burgettstown, Canonsburg,
Donora, Washington and Waynesburg offer excellent quality used
merchandise at affordable prices.

Your purchase at one of our stores provides revenue for us to continue
our programs.

Our stores are a ministry in each community, offering free of reduced
cost merchandise to those in need. Whether you are rich or poor, there
is something for everyone at Hidden Treasures."


I started out as a regular customer at the Canonsburg location, often
finding vintage computers and equipment at very reasonable prices.
Terry, the manager at the Canonsburg store, informed me they were not
picking up a lot of computer equipment because they didn't have anyone
to go through it and check it out. He offered me a volunteer position
as their "computer man", which I accepted. In return for testing and
configuring "newer" PC's for low income families and other needy
persons, I get all the vintage equipment that comes in, if I want it.
The word is out now, and all computer equipment is accepted. Needless
to say the usual things are plentiful, Commodores, Atari's, etc., but it
is great to get some systems in that are still new in the box, along
with an occasional CP/M system. We will be relocating the store in the
future, so I am planning a vintage computer museum section. The
difference will be that, unlike Goodwill, everything will be available
for very reasonable prices. We are also planning on selling on eBay.

Right now we have several complete vintage PC systems for sale, and lots
of components. If anyone on this list is interested, contact me off
list with a reasonable offer, exclusive of actual shipping costs. I'm
not talking anywhere near eBay prices here. Just cover the time needed
to pack things for shipping and a reasonable donation. And yes, your
donation is tax deductible. Shipping available via UPS Ground and USPS
parcel post, USPS Priority for smaller items and if requested. Photos
also available upon request. And if you can get to our store, contact
me for directions and a meeting time.

Current systems and components that need homes:

Original IBM 5150 PC, dual floppies, 5153 CGA monitor, IBM PC keyboard
and 80 column IBM printer. Great physical and working condition.

Early 128K IBM PC jr with 5.25" floppy drive and PC jr power cube, PC jr
keyboard (not chicklets), separate PC jr color monitor, 2 PC jr
joysticks, and a large box of IBM software (games and educational) in
the IBM plastic boxes, 4 are on cartridges, the rest are on floppies,
all have manuals. Also includes all the original PC jr manuals and
software, IBM DOS 2.X (I think 2.0 or 2.01) with slipcover binder. I
can supply a list of the software titles to anyone seriously interested
in this package. I also have the IBM 132 column printer that came in
with all this. Great physical and working condition.

Complete Apple Performa 637CD, Apple 15" Multiple Scan M2943 monitor,
Keyboard, Mouse. Great physical and working condition.

Early NEC PC, monitor and keyboard. Details if requested. Haven't
checked it out yet.

IBM PC jr color monitor. (#2)

Various EGA and CGA monitors.

Apple 15" Multiple Scan M2943 monitor (#2)

Lots and lots of PC keyboards.

80 column dot matrix printers, mostly tractor feed.

PC power supplies.

Various PC network cards, BNC/RJ-45. I pull them from the PC systems
that come in.

Other items arriving just about every day. I'm going to try to get
approval for us to accept large business systems also. We have the
storage in Washington, and with the large area that our trucks, with
lift gates, cover, some great stuff is bound to turn up eventually.

My recent finds: Atari 130XE NIB, C-128 NIB, Commodore 1526 LQ printer,
NIB, lots of accessories, and boxes and boxes of manuals and diskettes.

If there is interest within this group, more posts will follow and
nothing much will end up on eBay. And remember, this endeavor supports a
very worthy cause.


Bill


-> This is a "GOODWILL COMPUTERWORKS". A dedicated computer store.
->
-> *ALL THEY SELL* is computers. All the computers donated to Goodwill
across
-> the state are trucked here, where if possible, they're reassembled
into
-> working boxes/parts (in the case of PCs), tested, and put out on the
-> shelves for people to buy. 99% of the people coming in are looking
for
-> a PC, Mac, parts for same, or a printer or keyboard, etc; they've
just
-> recently opened up the "back room" with the old vintage stuff.
->
-> People that go to the store *are* interested in the museum; they've
-> been doing it to a limited extent for the past 2-3 years (as long as
-> I've been going to the store), but have just recently gotten the room
-> to expand it.
->
-> When I spoke to one of the employees yesterday, he said that they get
-> offered TONS more stuff that they simply dont have room for, but
would
-> love to take. I'm trying to work with them to establish another
mailing
-> list of collectors for this stuff - so that if GWCW gets offered a
piece
-> of hardware that they dont have the room for, the people on the list
can
-> then take a shot at it.
->
-> If you want the "normal" GoodWill store, where you can buy clothing,
-> coffee pots, old furnitre, etc, the newly expanded and remodeled
store
-> is about a half mile up the street.
Received on Mon Aug 21 2000 - 16:58:24 BST