A lot of companies do dump stuff for free or for pennies on the dollar. When IBM was imploding they were tossing scopes, meters and parts in the dumpster. I ended up with 2 Tektronics scopes, a couple Weston meters and a Dranitz that were simply "surplussed". I did a project for IBM/State Farm right after I retired where we were throwing Hewlett Packard printers and an assortment of terminals in "bulk ship" boxes, bound for the crusher. They told us we could give anyone one if they wanted it. I am always amazed what shows up in the dumpsters at my wife's job sites. That is where we got our kitchen cabinets (actually rescued before they made it outside).
