'Second-hand freak' finds $50,000

Whenever Bronwyn Behl goes second-hand shopping which she has done once a week for the past 30 years she checks every item she buys from end to end.

That perfectionist streak is why the 58-year-old Otaki caregiver found $50,000 worth of Bonus Bonds stuffed inside an old stool last month.

A self-confessed "second-hand freak", Ms Behl was trawling pre-loved furniture at the Paraparaumu Salvation Army Store when she made the discovery.

There was no name on the bonds, but a number helped staff trace them to a family estate. Ms Behl had not heard a word of thanks though from the Waikanae family.

"Even if they can't give me a reward, they could have at least rung up and said thanks ... I was hoping to get enough for a trip."

She said she never thought of keeping the bonds - there could have been cameras in the shop - but the store gave her what she called "the lucky stool".

It now stands in her lounge, but so far has not given her much fortune. "I bought a Lotto ticket already and I got bloody nothing out of it," she said.

Store manager Dennis Walker said the stool had been donated by a Waikanae family after their mother died.

"When I rang the family they were cleaning up the house and they knew [the bonds] were there but they couldn't find them anywhere. No-one ever thought to look under the sheepskin covers on a little painted stool."

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chelsea   #4   09:47 am May 02 2009

She deserves nothing this is just ridiculous its not like they are worth anything to her she couldnt have claimed them for herself even if she had tryed.

Even if they can't give me a reward, they could have at least rung up and said thanks ... I was hoping to get enough for a trip."

I cant believe she said i was hoping to get enough for a trip!! This family has just lost a family member why would they give her anything

Trish   #3   12:06 am May 02 2009

I bet she will wait till she gets home next time before she does her checking. By the way, a little courtesy goes a long way, this family could had at the very least have sent a little thankyou to her. Just show the sort of people they must be.

Ian McKinnon   #2   10:52 am May 01 2009

What a lot of irrelevant sensationalism. The bonds cannot be tendered as currency, so she did not find $50,000 per se. These would not be redeemable by anyone unauthorised. The only thing of value: the $5 note.

Tinnelle   #1   10:41 am May 01 2009

She should have got a thank you and a reward, I bet she wishes she'd just walked out with the stool!

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