I'm not so sure it's sketchy. I've bought stuff I had intentions to fix up / use and life gets in the way or plans shift and it ends up sitting there. I've got a few things around my basement for sure that are projects "on hold" for now (I do have a working 8877 2m amp in a rack cabinet but I probably won't be firing it for a while, as well as a rack mounted 1296 amp).
I do have an SB-200 that I acquired that had the harbach boards but had taken a header off a washing machine and the person didn't want to fire it up. It was thought to be a basket case. Upon further inspection and going through the power supply (and, well, needing a set of tubes of course) it basically needed nothing. The chassis was a little tweaked but it did fire up and work. That was over 12 years ago. It still works today. It did eventually go to W1QJ to replace a band switch and he took care of a few other minor things its needed but has been a solid amp.
Anything I'd pick up at a hamfest - I'd assume is dead and will need some work. If it looks "original", figure an SB-200 will at least need caps and a few other components. They are good solid little amps for what they are. Someday I will replace mine for something that covers 160-6 (I really want the extra bands!) but for now it's there and ready to go as needed (I don't use it that much these days, but I still do from time to time).