Big payday awaits woman who didn’t know she tossed vintage Apple computer

Market Watch ^ | May 31,2015 | Shawn Langlois

[Hojczyk]

Last month, a woman dropped by the Clean Bay Area recycling firm with a box of junk. But your typical bonepile of used electronics it wasn’t. In fact, discovered inside one of her boxes, according to the San Jose Mercury News, was a vintage Apple I, one of only about 200 first-generation desktop computers build by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne way back in 1976.

Sounds valuable and it is, to the tune of $200,000, which is what Clean Bay Area managed to sell it for this month to a private collection, Vice President Victor Gichun told the Mercury News. The buyer seems to have gotten a great deal, considering that last month another Apple I sold for $236,100.03 on EBay. There were 119 bids.

The good news, for this still-unidentified woman, is that the company's policy is to share the proceeds with the donor. But Gichun, who has $100,000 check with her name on it, will need to find her first. “She said, ‘I want to get rid of this stuff and clean up my garage,’ “ Gichun said, adding that she visited Friday. “I said, ‘Do you need a tax receipt?’ and she said, ‘No, I don’t need anything.’”

He told the Mercury News that he feels badly because the woman said her husband had died recently and that having some extra cash might help. “I remember her,” Gichun said. She was driving an SUV, but he wouldn’t divulge any more information about her or her car, citing company policy.

“To prove who she is,” Gichun said, “I just need to look at her.” So, if you’re reading this story, mysterious SUV-driving lady, head on down to 1310 Piper Drive in Milpitas and collect your check.

[TexasCajun]

... is that the company's policy is to share the proceeds with the donor.

Now that's unexpected & refreshing.

[camle]

did they find her yet?

[fatnotlazy]

If the company has a license plate number, they should be able to find her.

Given that she is short of cash since her husband passed, I’m sure she could use the money. Hope she can be located.

[TexasFreeper2009]

I have a TRS-80 still in the box that I will sell for less !

[Darth Reardon]

The good news, for this still-unidentified woman, is that the company’s policy is to share the proceeds with the donor. But Gichun, who has $100,000 check with her name on it

Nice journalism there.

[bigbob]

Thar’s golf in that thar mancave!

[RedMDer]

S AVE O UR S ITE

Let's Git-R-Done!

[Company Man]

My BS meter acts up when it goes near this story. The true backstory is probably pretty good as well.

[Organic Panic]

Ah if only I kept all the old junk computers from my past. I’d be a millionaire...buried in garbage.