The value of garbage - treasures found in Junkyard and trash cans

[jmz95]

So, I'm pretty sure we've all found out how amazing the junkyard in Ambitions is, whether you need some scrap for an inventor, you need some more furniture but you don't quite have the money, or you're founder of a legacy needs 500 more simoleons to pay for a new crib. So, I want to know, what's the best thing you've gotten from what other sims consider garbage? For me, it would be the video game goggles (I believe they cost around 9,000) from rummaging through trash cans, and the 900 simoleon chair from the junkyard (the one I put down in SV). However, I have heard that you can get the most expensive T.V. from the junkyard; can you get it from the one in SV?

[Deborah]

I am getting those expensive tvs and getting them repaired to sell =)
Also heaps of the expensive dryers and a middle stove.
No expensive washing machine as yet. yes I use the SV map.

[jmz95]

Nice! I got the cheap video game set, but I haven't gotten a T.V yet, so I bought the cheapest one available (it was early in my legacy). I also got the cheap washer and dryer, a dish washer, cheapest stove, bookshelf, and lots of chairs!

[Deborah]

I keep getting some chairs that are used in the Library. Started getting the best single bed the other night. The second best radio I think it is. I am getting quite a few of them.

[Metropolis Man]

I guess my question though is — what's the chance of finding these nice items? I mean if it's a 10-20%, then how many hours does an average Sim need to spending sifting through junk just to find something nice? I probably don't have the patience. Scratch that. I know I wouldn't have the patience.

[Twinmum]

I got two of the expensive tv's in two days once, plus a couple of the really nice stereos and a treadmill. I've seen one of the really expensive sculptures there, but for some reason, whenever it appears, it's in the spot that can't be salvaged and I have to just detonate it for the scrap and to get rid of it.
I got these things from just salvaging them, not going through the trash piles. I have got a few smaller things from the pile, but only because I needed the scrap.
I usually send my guy around the two junk yards every few days, to let them build up, and if he needs scrap, he spends a little bit of time going through the piles too.

Norma

[Deborah]

Just wait for the yard to fill up metro. That is what I do, now I pick and choose what I will salvage.

I do not have to pick though trash, items appear around the yard. Maybe stuff the town sims have found.

Yes twinmum, I have a couple of items stuck in my backpack, I can not move them. I don't touch sculptures or the globe thing anymore.

[Metropolis Man]

Just wait for the yard to fill up metro. That is what I do, now I pick and choose what I will salvage.

I do not have to pick though trash, items appear around the yard. Maybe stuff the town sims have found.

Ah, I didn't realize it worked like that. I thought you had to poke through piles to have a chance at finding something. Haven't really played much with the junkyard yet aside from getting scrap for a couple inventors.

[jmz95]

Yeah, the only way to salvage items is if they are just laying around. Once I picked up the globe, and now it's stuck with my sim. I'll just give it to someone when he dies and have them move out, or move him out before he dies. Does anyone know how often the items at the junkyard disappear and new ones appear? The Prima guide says every 48 hours, but I don't exactly trust it. Also, I'm sure that if you pick up the items, new ones will come the next day, but if there's stuff I don't like, how long do I have to wait?

[Delgar]

It's too bad that items that you salvage have to be repaired by a repairman, would have been nice if the sims could have fixed them up themselves. Of course for the measly cost of 50 dollars having a brand new plasma T.V. and the best radio in the game is a pretty sweet deal.

[Storyteller]

I love the junkyard!  Half the time, I pick up everything there, call the repairman, and then sell it all.  I usually make between 1000 and 2000 on a trip.

I have picked up expensive radios, TV's, Sim Life Goggles, expensive washing machines and dryers (in fact, that's how my legacy family got their washer/dryers), expensive stoves (again, how my Sims got one) a fortune cookie maker, cribs, tables and chairs, you name it.  But I think the best thing was the bookshelves. 

My best find:  My Sim picked up the $700 bookcase (the glass shelf one) and it had all the skill books on it!  Levels 1-3 in charisma, cooking, inventing, logic, handiness, and gardening!  I think it may have been a bug because it never happened again.  I keep picking up bookshelves, though, because the more expensive ones come with lots of books my little bookworms don't have to buy.

*scurries off to the junkyard to look for more stuff*

[Saltypaws]

Yep, same here.  I got the expensive tv set too and pretty much the same, baby bed with the canopy and toy boxes.  I have gone twice in one day and the second time there was a couple of more items, but, for the most part, I usually go once a day.  Sometimes, things just show up in the parking lot while your sim is salvaging, because I know the grill was not there when I got there and when I got ready to leave there was the grill and small radio.  I have that stupid globe too in my inventory, oh well, guess it will just have to stay there.

[LlamaMama]

Is this the kind of thing to do on a "Lucky Day"? Would that increase the odds of a good find?

[sydney511]

I'm sure it will.

My sim found 2 raw gems in the neighbor's trash can- a blue topaz and a pink diamond. Thank you Mr. Alto! These gems will look great in my mansion.

[AriaGirl77]

Yup, I LOVE to salvage, especially when my sims are just starting out.  It's a great way to get them some new stuff and pay hardly anything for it.  Just like garage sales in real life I guess!