Imagine investing just in a piece of memorabilia and then making close to a grand in profit. This is not a work of fiction, but the story of investor Ed Converse who struck gold with an iconic 80s video game.
In a world where nostalgia plays a significant part in people's lives, certain items can skyrocket in value. Some are willing to shell out substantial sums for items imbued with sentimental value. In one instance, a sealed original version of Super Mario Bros, a video game from the '80s compatible with the original Nintendo console released in 1983, was sold for a whopping million to an anonymous buyer.
The Role of Rally in the Trade
The game was initially purchased by the collectibles site, Rally, for a modest ,000 in April 2020, and then sold in 2021. Rally operates on an innovative model where it allows individuals to invest in shares of individual items, much like stocks in a company. This unique method allows all investors to benefit from the high-worth items.
The Investor’s Vote in the Sale
When an offer is made on a product, the decision to sell is democratised. The investors vote on whether to sell and cash in their shares of the profit or decline the offer. An initial offer for the game was made for ,000, but was declined by the investors, showcasing their belief in the potential further value of the investment.
Profitable Deals and the Future of Fractional Investing
We have ample evidence of thrifted items bringing in significant profits. For instance, a man made a substantial profit from a hat he thrifted for , while another person sold thrifted designer shoes for five times their original price. Ed Converse, who invested into the Super Mario Bros game, reaped from the sale. This success story has convinced him of the potential of fractional investing in video games.
The same belief is echoed by Rob Petrozzo, one of the founders of Rally, who said they aim to find nostalgic items that will retain their value over time. Thus, the future of fractional investing, especially in nostalgic items like video games, appears promising.