Goodwill's "testing station"

[fan-of-fans]

My local Goodwill has a testing station near the small appliance section. It has two GFCI protected outlets that are each on a timer dial. So you have to set the timer before the outlets will work. I guess this is a safety measure in case things get left plugged in. I've noticed many times when I've been, that there are items left on the counter. I wonder if it is because people plug them in but don't realize you have to set the timer, so they think they're dead?

It even got me the first time I tried something out, and I had even noticed the timers were there before, it just took me a minute to figure out the problem.

I have ended up buying a couple of things that were left on the testing counter, so it may have worked to my benefit, when someone else was planning to buy it first, but abandoned it due to it supposedly not working.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">That's interesting, sort of a "smoke test" station. One of the service guys in the shop I worked in used to joke when I was about to plug in a used washer, dryer or range I repaired "stand back he's gonna give it the Phillip Morris test". I never was allowed to work on customer's appliances, after all, the store had a reputation to maintain.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Speed-Dry setting</span>

 

 

[lordkenmore]

The issue I've had problems with--repeatedly--are Goodwill outlets that no longer provide power. I suppose they are worn out. So if one outlet doesn't work, I try another one.

Of course, they'd probably say it's not necessary for me to test. I think they've claimed to test electrical stuff. But I think their tests are no more than plugging the item in, and if the light comes on, it works. Even if the light is a red "This Item Will Blow Up in Five Minutes!" warning light. LOL