I've seen that happen with antique radios and I'm sure it does with other stuff too. Some idiot will take something that's complete and worth a bit, then tear it apart and try to sell the individual pieces. Usually one or two parts are in demand and sell but for much less than the complete unit would have, and the rest of the parts just sit there. Don't part something out unless it's already missing critical parts! More than once I've spent time fixing something only to give it away, I just hate to see usable stuff go to the landfill. It really bugs me to see something I gave away posted on ebay days later though.