Warning: that $60 "vintage" radio from the flea market was a parts unit

Picked up a 1968 tube radio at the Alameda flea market last Sunday. Seller said it just needed new tubes, real nice cabinet. Got it home, opened the back, and the whole underside was stripped out. No transformers, no wiring harness, just rusted screws and mouse droppings. So now I'm out $60 and the thing is basically a wooden box with a faceplate. I get that you can't test stuff there, but is there any trick to spot a gutted unit before you hand over cash? I've bought three radios off that market and this is the first dud, but I'm annoyed enough that I'm thinking of sticking to estate sales where I can plug things in first. Anyone else get burned this way and figure out a better system?

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