A bargain hunter with less than £30 to her name took a punt on a cheap charity shop game and ended up securing a life-changing windfall of thousands of pounds.
The Lucky Find in a Goodwill Store
Jennifer Thompson, a shopper in the United States, was browsing a Goodwill discount store when she spotted a video game priced at just $8, roughly £6. The game was Stadium Events for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), originally released in 1986 and renowned as one of the rarest titles in the world. Jennifer had previously read a Yahoo article listing the world's rarest games and recognised the potential value.
Despite having a mere $30 (£22.50) in her bank account at the time, she decided the risk was worth it and purchased the mint-condition game. She then took her find to a specialist used video game store called Save Point Video Games in Charlotte, North Carolina, for authentication.
Validation and a Staggering Offer
The reaction at the store was one of stunned disbelief. The staff member behind the counter reportedly uttered "oh my god" upon seeing the game. So impressed were they that they immediately offered Jennifer all the cash in the store's till, an amount believed to be around $9,000. However, sensing she could get more, Jennifer wisely declined the offer.
Her patience was spectacularly rewarded. She later sold the game through an online auction. The buyer was Tod Curtis, an orthodontist and passionate game collector, who paid a staggering $25,000 (approximately £18,756) for the coveted item.
Community Reaction and Similar Stories
The remarkable story recently resurfaced on Reddit, where users shared their thoughts. Many praised Tod Curtis, noting he runs a YouTube channel restoring arcade cabinets and even has a free arcade in his clinic's lobby. One former employee of Save Point Video Games confirmed the story, stating the incident provided fantastic marketing for the small business before it closed.
The online discussion also prompted others to share tales of similar luck. One user recounted buying an antique radio for $100 while deep in debt and selling it for $25,000, a move they said "saved my life financially."
This incredible find serves as a potent reminder that charity shops can sometimes hold hidden treasures, turning an everyday bargain hunt into a life-altering discovery.
