I just got back from a trip to the the local thrift store.
As soon as I walked in the door, I saw several musical instruments sitting in a box, behind the counter. The item at the front of the pile was a mandolin case, which I immediately asked to see. The price tag on the outside of the case said $179.00. I opened up the case (hoping to find a decent Kentucky, Loar, Eastman, etc.) but instead, turned up an Epiphone MM-20.
While the mandolin was in good shape and would make for a nice starter instrument, I told the guy waiting on me (who seemed to know something about instruments), that you could buy a very similar brand new Epiphone mandolin for $199 - and that, at very best, they should only be asking $100. The guy seemed appreciative for the advice - but when I left the store some time later, it was still in the instrument box at $179.00.
What never ceases to amaze me about these thrift stores is that every guitar that I see sells fast - no matter what the condition or price . . . so, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to go back there tomorrow and see the whole box of guitars, gone.
Sincere good luck to the person who overpays for the Epi . . . who knows, they could end up here on the Cafe, very soon - proudly showing off their new purchase!
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