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 interweb, 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?
RELATED
11 CHUCK NORRIS FACTS THAT ARE COMPLETELY TRUE
Legacy Recordings
Brits have more eBay sales per capita than any other nation.
The first item ever sold there was the album You and I by the iconic German band Scorpions, which sold for £2.89. We speculate that this massive deal caused the intense popularity.
The first item ever sold there was the album You and I by the iconic German band Scorpions, which sold for £2.89. We speculate that this massive deal caused the intense popularity.
Wikimedia
You may not sell a soul on eBay.
According to eBay, if the soul doesn't exist, you may not sell it, because there would be nothing to sell. And if it does exist, you can't sell it due to the restriction on human body parts. You can't sell ghosts either.
According to eBay, if the soul doesn't exist, you may not sell it, because there would be nothing to sell. And if it does exist, you can't sell it due to the restriction on human body parts. You can't sell ghosts either.
Fuzzcraft
The first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer.
EBay contacted the buyer to confirm that he understood it was broken. The buyer said of course, and turned out to be a collector of broken laser pointers.
EBay contacted the buyer to confirm that he understood it was broken. The buyer said of course, and turned out to be a collector of broken laser pointers.
RELATED
THE 25 WORST THINGS YOU CAN BUY ON AMAZON
Google Maps
In 2002, the town of Bridgeville, California became the first town to be sold on eBay.
The tiny town (pop. 28) went for $1,777,877, but has been put back on the market three times since.
The tiny town (pop. 28) went for $1,777,877, but has been put back on the market three times since.
Gimocrazed
EBay was the second choice for the name.
It was supposed to be "EchoBay," but that was taken. It was also the second name, having gone by "AuctionNet" for a few years. AuctionNet had blindingly ugly 1995 graphic design, similar to what Craigslist still uses today.
It was supposed to be "EchoBay," but that was taken. It was also the second name, having gone by "AuctionNet" for a few years. AuctionNet had blindingly ugly 1995 graphic design, similar to what Craigslist still uses today.
Wikimedia Commons
The original eBay had a page dedicated to Ebola information.
It's unclear why Pierre Omidyar put the info about the deadly virus on eBay, but hisbiographer speculates it may have been to get traffic because of the name similarity. She also says it might have been just a little bit of dark humor.
It's unclear why Pierre Omidyar put the info about the deadly virus on eBay, but hisbiographer speculates it may have been to get traffic because of the name similarity. She also says it might have been just a little bit of dark humor.
RELATED
KICKSTARTER CROOKS: THE BIGGEST FRAUDS IN CROWDFUNDING
Warner Bros
People have met on eBay and married.
The first wedding was officiated in New Orleans by then-CEO Meg Whitman.
The first wedding was officiated in New Orleans by then-CEO Meg Whitman.
Public Domain
Around a quarter (ba dum pssh) of all coins and two-thirds of antiquities on eBay are fake.
And according to court papers from a lawsuit, 70 percent of Tiffany stuff is fake. However, a court ruled that eBay has no legal responsibility to monitor the authenticity of items sold.Caveat emptor.
And according to court papers from a lawsuit, 70 percent of Tiffany stuff is fake. However, a court ruled that eBay has no legal responsibility to monitor the authenticity of items sold.Caveat emptor.
Wikimedia Commons
In 2004, a new species of sea urchin was discovered while it was being auctioned off.
It happened again in 2008 when a fossil of a previously unknown species was purchased from a Lithuanian seller. The British scientist who bought the fossil tried to have it namedMindarus ebayici, but the humorless members of the scientific community shot it down, naming it Mindarus harringtoni instead.
It happened again in 2008 when a fossil of a previously unknown species was purchased from a Lithuanian seller. The British scientist who bought the fossil tried to have it namedMindarus ebayici, but the humorless members of the scientific community shot it down, naming it Mindarus harringtoni instead.
RELATED
THE 15 WEIRDEST THINGS YOU CAN BUY AT HOME DEPOT
Universal
You may not sell intentionally soiled underwear on eBay.
But if it's an accident . . .
But if it's an accident . . .
CNN
The most expensive item ever sold was a "Gigayacht."
It went for $168 million and is 405 feet long. Commented a yacht broker: "There's definitely a 'mine is bigger than yours' syndrome in this industry and there is a desire to have the best. That's the great thing about these yachts." Totally.
It went for $168 million and is 405 feet long. Commented a yacht broker: "There's definitely a 'mine is bigger than yours' syndrome in this industry and there is a desire to have the best. That's the great thing about these yachts." Totally.
Komentarų nėra:
Rašyti komentarą