Oh sure the stuff in the trash is BROKE. But it's sooo gosh darn easy to fix!
Some fave examples: my atomic wall clock, found in a bin. I retrieved it, washed it up, replaced the battery, programmed it, and it's like new except for the (minor) rash it got from having other crap thrown on top of it.
Who throws away a perfectly good clock? My theory is, a doof that thought "atomic" meant it never needed batteries.
Oh, get this: one of my neighbors must have an atomic clock too, with the outside temp sender... cuz mine reads the outside temp off their signal! LOL I was all set to order a temp sender then discovered I don't have to.
A come-along (winch), same bin, missing a rivet for one of the pulleys, thing looked like brand new except for that missing rivet, probably was a manufacturing defect. Took me about 2 minutes to find a nut and bolt in my junk drawer to replace said rivet. Now, why wouldn't the tard that tossed it simply do that... or even return for warranty?
Electric space heater, same bin, not scratched like the clock. Blew the lint out of it with compressed air, turned it on, works and looks like brand new. Wow, took a mechanical genius to fix that one!
Toaster oven, nearly new, didn't sell at a yard sale cuz they had overpriced it, I guess throwing it in the bin was a better idea than lowering the price???
It be mine now!
DVD player, "door" was unhinged and it was filthy from the bin. Cleaned it up, put the door back together (SO lucked out by finding the little spring inside with the innards!!!), plugged it in, works perfectly. It's the exact mate to the one I actually went out and bought. Yes, it's true, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SOMETHING. New. From a store.
Anyway, only downer is I didn't find the remote that goes with it. My remote from the other one works it. Spose a universal one could work it too; haven't tried.
Push mower, sitting curbside with sticker but lacking wheels and throttle cable, snagged it, cleaned carb, ran like a champ, nice new B&S engine. Scavenged wheels and cable, was out mowing with it when previous owner strolled by giving me the evil eye. Thanks buddy! Enjoy your wheels and cable!
Mountain bike, full suspension, on junk pile, missing a wheel and rear spring/shock unit. Scooped it up, made it my mission to scavenge whatever it needed. Scavenged all except for some new slick tires. Love that bike!
Oh Man, I could go on. Basically I profit so handsomely by idiot's inability to fix anything. Old School and proud of it!