Yeah I no longer get the VCR/DVD combo units, unless they are DVD recorders and have an HDMI port. The only time I get the regular VCR/DVD combo player is if its a specific brand, which is Magnavox. Because the sell through rate is VERY good.
I do at yard sales but when thrifting I hold it for a couple of reasons. One is I don’t have a Microphone yet so when I hold it I am able to talk closer to the camera so that it picks up the sound more clearly. Also It makes it much easier to edit when I just film clips and bits rather than the whole store