Oreck BB280D thrift store find - dumpster edition...

[texaskirbyguy]

I did not even need to reset the tablet - it was already unlocked and a bunch of apps were open as if he left it yesterday. -An abandoned tablet...

My guess is that the ladies at the thrift store gave up waiting for it to charge enough for it to show signs of life. Given it had a USB cable on it, they probably plugged it into a dinky 1A charger and waited just a minute or so.
It took 5 minutes on a 2A charger for it to give a sign of life.
This is normal behavior when lithium batteries are totally depleted. My guess is that the guy left it on until it shut off on low battery, that being over 2 years ago.

I do wish people would put their stuff on the curb a couple days before the pickup so more people would come by and scavenge. (However some idiots will put more crap out the next day and then it sits for a month...)
About 50% does not show up until late Sunday, the night before the pickup. I had to pass up a 60" Sony TV on the way to work Monday morning as I had my small car and did not have time/desire to go back and get the truck. It was fairly new looking so I assumed the screen was broke (was too dark to see for sure). I grabbed a nice cabinet on the way to work last month.

I will pick up small tube TVs as they sell to gamers easily. Anything bigger than 19" is too heavy for me and harder to sell.
A couple years ago I got a 12" with the remote - sold quick for 20 bucks. I got a 9" a few months back and decided to keep it.

I had to show my mom how to use a USB media player yesterday so she could watch the 8mm film conversions I had recently had converted. Yes - anything more than 5 buttons spells brain overload. I wonder if she will remember anything I showed her...
The tablet owner looked to have been 75-85ish so I can understand his lack of interest. There were ZERO 'so-called media' apps installed, so that also helps confirm an elderly user.

 

[huskyvacs]

How are you doing the dumpster diving? Do you go in the middle of the day? Do you use grabbing tools or actually go inside the dumpster, or ?

 

[kirbyklekter]

I'll jump in if I may,

When I was a card carrying dumpster diver and sidewalk picker I did most in the safety of darkness. This is because my usual route included both residential and business. The dumpster diving was almost 100% behind businesses but also in large apartment complexes. The risk of getting caught by security guards in the nicer apartment properties was real.

My friend who was the best of the best at this was moving out of state and offered to take me on his cherished route that he had never shared with anyone up to this point. It was that competitive at that time. Yes I would jump in for something if it looked that promising.I usually draw the line on getting involved with a dumpster that is crawling with ants or worse maggots,(residential).

Yes to bringing grabbers or other tools. Yes to bringing ant spray and paper towels.One of the best businesses to visit their dumpster was Lamps Plus. They tossed out perfectly new lamps of all varieties due to something like a missing pull chain or a defective light socket that's easily replaceable. Unbelievable the waste, I know it's a write off but come on. Target was the place to pick up a bike or 30 when they tossed returned bikes with a missing part or scratch big enough to even mark it down I guess.

I think they finally got a clue and started donating to the police auctions and such. But for a while...Anyway I had to all but quit the hobby due to space limitations. I would never go up on someones property, it's trespassing and besides some people have big dogs!

 

[texaskirbyguy]

I check that dumpster once a week on a weekday afternoon when I visit that store.
I am not a dedicated dumpster diver (actually I am more of a skimmer), but I do this one only since it is so easy (low front) and right at the front of the store next to the front door. It has been proving itself a true treasure bin also.

I had jumped in and leaned into it a few times but that was too hard. I now carry a pickup stick which works great. I skim stuff off the top, but do not really dig much. I will still get in if I really have to. I am in there for just a few minutes each time - I am quick. Many times I get others curious and start poking in it also. I stay away from anything nasty - aint going there..

I know I could make a small fortune if I did many dumpsters like Mike the Scavenger does. He makes a full time business from dumpsters and curbside. However I do not have the time or strength like I used to. Degenerative joint disease is taking its toll on me as I age...

 

[panasonicvac]

It was put together on the 194th day of 2010.

 

[human]

So that would be 13 July 2010.