Unpopular opinion: That $7 thrift store lamp was a fire hazard waiting to happen

I picked up this cute brass lamp from a Goodwill in Portland last Saturday for $7. Got it home, plugged it in, and the cord started smoking within 2 minutes. Turns out the wiring was completely frayed inside the base where I couldn't see it. I spent Sunday rewiring the whole thing with a $4 cord kit from Lowe's and now it works fine. Has anyone else found hidden dangers in thrift store electronics that looked fine on the surface?

2 comments

2 Comments

jesse_nguyen14h ago

Three Portland thrift stores I've been to had lamps with wires from the 70s still on them.

parkerh3813h ago

Found this old lava lamp at a Goodwill in Eugene once. Plugged it in at home and the cord started getting warm almost right away, had to yank it from the wall. Pulled the whole base apart and the wire insulation was basically dust, just crumbling off in my hands. Kinda scary how many of these old lamps are probably still out there plugged in somewhere.