“You’ve got to be kidding me. This never happens.” That is how one thrifter starts a quick video from a regular Goodwill store, and he has good reason to be excited. Sitting on the shelf were Guitar Hero guitars, priced at $10 each. Normally, he says, he does not pick these up. But on a hunch, he decided to check the battery compartment. What he found inside paid for the trip.

The first guitar had a USB dongle tucked inside. That little piece of plastic, he says, is worth about 50 bucks all by itself. He did not stop there. He checked the second guitar, which was also priced at $10, by flipping it upside down and opening the battery bay. Same thing. There was another dongle in there.

His advice is short and sweet: this is your sign to always check the battery compartment. You never know when you will find the dongle inside. You can watch the find in the original video.

Why a Tiny Dongle Matters

If you are not a gamer, a USB dongle might not sound exciting. But for anyone who plays with wireless guitar controllers, it is the key to the whole thing. Wireless controllers talk to the game system through a small receiver, and without it the guitar will not connect. Thrift stores often receive these guitars as donations with the receiver missing, because it is easy to lose or forget in a drawer. A guitar without its dongle can be hard to use, and replacement receivers sell separately for far more than most people expect.

That is what makes this find so good. Two controllers at $10 each, each with the missing piece included, is a better deal than buying a guitar and receiver separately. And because the thrift store had no idea, it priced them like ordinary used toys.

Why Thrift Stores Miss This

Thrift stores process thousands of donations. Workers often have a few seconds per item to decide a price. A plastic guitar controller is likely to get a standard price tag without anyone opening the battery cover. Many people also do not realize a controller can store accessories inside, so nobody checks.

The same thing happens with other kinds of items. A game console may come with cables tucked in a drawer. A camera bag may hold a lens or memory card. A toy may include a removable part hiding in the battery bay. Anything with a compartment is worth a look.

How to Check Gaming Gear at a Thrift Store

If you want to try your luck, here is a simple checklist that will help you avoid mistakes:

• Open every compartment. Battery covers, storage slots and little doors are where small parts hide. Take a quick look before you put anything in your cart.
• Look for a model number. Flip the controller over and look for a label with the model and brand. It tells you which game system it works with, because controllers for different consoles are not interchangeable.
• Check the wear. Look at the buttons, strum bar and neck for cracks or heavy wear. Controllers get a workout, and damage can make them unusable.
• Look for corrosion. Old batteries can leak, leaving a white or green crust inside the battery bay. A little can be cleaned, but heavy corrosion is a reason to pass.
• Ask about returns. Many thrift stores have limited return policies, so know what you can do if something does not work.
• Check sold listings online. Look up the exact model and see what it actually sold for, not what sellers are asking. The difference between asking and selling prices can be big.
• Test it if you can. Some stores have a testing station. If not, bring batteries when you hunt for gear like this, and ask whether you can try it before you buy.

What to Do After You Find One

Once you get your treasure home, clean it gently with a slightly damp cloth, and make sure it works before you list it or play it. If you plan to resell, take clear photos that show the dongle, mention the model number, and say that the receiver is included. Buyers specifically search for complete sets, and a listing that says so stands out. If you are keeping them, you now have the makings of a fun family game night, and your grandkids will be glad to show you how it works.

The bigger lesson here has nothing to do with video games. It is about curiosity. This shopper did not walk past a pair of guitars that he usually ignores. He took ten extra seconds to look, and those ten seconds turned a $10 price tag into something much better.

So next time you are at a thrift store and something has a little door, a battery bay or a hidden pocket, open it. You never know what is waiting inside.

More Stories You May Like

• Chunky Plastic Bracelets In A Thrift Store Bin Could Be Bakelite Worth Thousands And A Warm Water Smell Test Can Help You Tell
• Thrifter Who Almost Skipped A Small Town Thrift Store While Driving Through Finds The Vintage Coach Purse She Had Been Waiting For
• Yard Sale Seller Priced Everything At 50 Cents Including A 1990s Little Caesars Jacket From His Days Working There, And One Shopper Says Finds Like It Are Out There