Want to launch a space shuttle? Go to eBay. Want a new car – eBay… Looking for a magical potion? … Maybe not… Discover the 10 weird and interesting things about eBay.
As the world’s largest marketplace, eBay has hundreds of millions of listings live at any given moment. Since its founding in 1995, the company has grown from just one curious computer programmer to over 15,000 employees. Over the past 15 years, eBay has become one of the largest companies in America, consistently ranking in the Fortune 500, and is one of the most recognized brands around the world.
Before eBay, auctions were reserved for important people bidding on paintings, vultures trying to pick up some sweet used cars from the police impound, and opportunists trolling the classifieds for estate auctions. But in 1995 Pierre Omidyar figured out a way to put auctions on the inter-web, allowing prices to be set instantaneously by current supply and demand and jump starting the recirculation of used stuff. But while you might be one of the millions who’ve lifted up a virtual paddle to bid, how much do you really know about eBay?
10FACT No 10
In 2013 a teenager accidentally paid 705 dollar for a photo of an Xbox One rather than the console. He´d been saving for 1 year when he bought the “Photo, Brand New” for his son.
09FACT No 9
The most expensive item ever sold is a 168 million dollar “Giga-yacht”. The luxury 123 meters boat has a helicopter garage, cinema, workout room, office and 10 multilevel suites.
08FACT No 8
In 2005 a woman got revenge on her cheating husband by selling his beloved car on eBay. Within 2 hours she had sold the 45.000 dollar Lotus Esprit Turbo – for 90 cents.
07FACT No 7
eBay helped discover new species of sea life in 2008. Scientists Richard Harrington Bought an unknown sea urchin and tried to call it “Mindarus ebayici” – the name got rejected.
06FACT No 6
James Biunt auctioned his sister on eBay to be flown to Ireland, when she was stranded. The winning bidder had a helicopter. They started dating and got engaged 3 years later.
05FACT No 5
The first ever item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer in 1995. It was bought for 14.83 by man who kept a broken laser pointer collection.
04FACT No 4
In 2004 a man was prohibited from auctioning a ghost for charity as eBay bans the sale of “intangible items”. Other forbidden items include souls, magic potions, body parts and prayers.
03FACT No 3
A teenager boy was banned from the internet after bidding 3 million. He tried to buy a Van Gogh painting, 2 classic cars, a Viking ship and the Canadian Prime Minister´s furniture.
02FACT No 2
In 2002 NASA had to scavenge eBay for obsolete ship parts. The 21st century shuttle still used Intel 8086 processors and floppy disk drivers used in the 1981 model.
01FACT No 1
In 2008, as a joke, a couple tried to sell their baby for 1.25 dollar, advertising a “nearly new baby”. Their child was taken into care and they were investigated for child trafficking.
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