He was already known as a regular customer at the 7-Eleven on West Olive Avenue in Burbank, but now Pat Tucker is one happy customer after clerk Manjit Singh accidentally sold him a winning Powerball ticket last week worth $380,774.
Singh routinely sees Tucker while working at the 7-Eleven, where Tucker will typically purchase two Mega Millions tickets, twice per week.
But last week, Singh accidentally sold him a $2 Powerball ticket, and when he realized he hit the wrong button, Singh offered to cancel the sale.
"He said, 'It's OK, I'll buy that one,'" Singh recalled, and when he handed the ticket to Tucker, Singh told him, "It's a lucky one."
His hunch was right.
The ticket contained five matching numbers of the six drawn in the Oct. 21 Powerball lottery, with the only missing number being the Powerball number, according to lottery officials.
Tucker, who is 57, told California Lottery officials that he plans to use a portion of the money to add on to his house.
"It'll be a little less stress, but other than that, hopefully everything stays the same," Tucker said, according to a statement from the California Lottery.
Although Tucker did not immediately respond to a request for comment, it appears one of his routines has not changed.
Tucker continues to purchase lottery tickets at the 7-Eleven where Singh works.
"He comes every day, and every morning, he's joking with us," Singh said. "He's a very friendly guy. He's lucky. I feel happy," he said of selling him the winning ticket. "He's happy, too."
Congrats to the winner.The lottery Gods works in mysterious ways.
Pat Tucker, You are one lucky and thoughtful person. Those mistake tickets make the news.
Destiny works in mysterious ways...
I never leave my mistake tickets behind for someone to luck up on my good fortune....and I always make sure to ask the clerk if there were any unpaid tickets I can purchase since I've won smaller prizes before.
That is great news.
Years ago my late Mother told me about a clerk in WA state rang up a ticket, customer refused it and gave her a hard time. She had to buy it and won millions!
Only negative is the para-mutuel payouts for California lotteries MM & PB. Rarely does it pay more than regular MM/PB states. In this case he lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars! But hey, I'd be tickled pink with that 'change' anyday of the week!
Singh accidentally sold him a $2 Powerball ticket, and when he realized he hit the wrong button, Singh offered to cancel the sale.
I know of at least 5 states where PB and MM tickets can't be canceled, but for $2 I'd buy the ticket too.
Cool story, congrats to the lucky guy.
That happened in the little store where I purchased my tickets--only it was a scratch ticket-the
store clerk did not hear the customer so he gave him the wrong ticket-the man said he did not want it -the
customer behind him bought the ticket--it was a two hundred thousand dollar winner
I am like you guys I always take the mistake tickets
I think a bunch of states can't cancel sales. However, I think the clerk meant that he'd not sell the Powerball ticket to him and instead print out Mega Millions tickets as originally requested. Either way, a happy accident!
Happy for the guy!!! Congrats!! He won off a single draw!!!