22. A Good Buy

Christopher loved to shop at thrift stores. Almost month ago, he bought a popular word game uses little chips of wood with different letters them. As he was purchasing it, the clerk , “Oh, look, the game box hasn’t even been yet! That might be worth some money.”

Christopher the box and, sure enough, it was completely in factory-sealed plastic. When he looked at the cover, he saw that beneath the name of game and the description was a copyright date 1973.

“You should put that up for auction the Internet, and see what happens,” the clerk .

“Yes, you’re right,” Christopher agreed. “I think I’ll that a try. The rarity of something is of what increases its value, and I can’t there being very many unopened boxes of this still around 30 years later. Maybe it’s worth !”

“Well, if it is, don’t forget who told about the wrapper,” the clerk smiled.

“No problem. ’re getting a percentage of anything over $10,” Christopher . The game itself was priced at only $1.99, the clerk gave Christopher the usual 10 percent discount.

“You’ve got yourself a deal, partner,” she , laughing.

At home, Christopher went online to several sites looking for his specific product. He couldn’t it anywhere on the auction sites. Then he in the name of the word game and Search. The response was 5,543 sites containing that . Christopher examined the first 10 sites and found site that listed people looking for various versions the game. Over the years, the game had produced using different chip sizes, colors, materials, and fonts. In addition, different game boards were produced the years, themselves consisting of different colors and . The game board had never changed in size material. Most of the game seekers seemed content used games. Only a few even mentioned “fresh” games. Those who wanted unopened games all promised dollar. Christopher emailed all of them, telling them he had.

Two weeks later, Christopher went back the thrift shop. He said to the clerk, “ are you doing, partner?”

She looked at him a second, then recognized him and said, “Oh, , partner!”

“I’ve got something for you,” he beamed. “’m sorry it didn’t turn out to be millions. if I waited another 20 years, but by the plastic wrapper might have rotted off. Here’s share.” He handed her three $100 bills.

“Wow!” exclaimed. “Thank you! You’re such a nice partner. much did you get for it?”

“One thousand. hope that you’re okay with 30 percent.”

“Okay?! ’m thrilled! I never expected to see a dime. ’ll have to do more business together.”

“You got , partner!” Christopher smiled.