Urban legend in New York.
A few years ago a Southern kid got a scholarship to Columbia University. Their dad loaded up the pickup truck and drove them to New York. Driving back to get to the bridge, Dad got lost and ended up on the Upper East Side. It happened to be trash night. Dad saw a half dozen air conditioners being thrown out, as well as a few other nice things. He loaded everything into the pickup and drove back home. A little work and he had six working air conditioners.
He ended up renting a cheap garage in Brooklyn and went out 'hunting' in the rich neighborhoods every trash night. Resold the stuff and made a tidy pile.