TresSugar

The Significant Objects Project, Or, How to Sell Stuff on eBay

TresSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

What makes an object significant, and possibly valuable? Some writers wagered that it's the story behind the object, and they set out to test their theory.

The Significant Objects Project pairs writers with an object and asks them to write a fictional story about it, with the belief it will then become significant to someone. Significance, in this case, means that someone would be moved to buy the object on eBay.

If you'd like to read the ~~description~~ story that accompanied the smiley face mug's auction on eBay and to find out its final price (it started at one dollar), read more.

The auction for this smiley face mug significant object started at $2 and ended at $32.08. Perhaps the price went up because of Ben Greenman's story, excerpted below?

"This object is best known from its appearance in the 1939 film No News From The Navy, a comedy starring James Wilton as a hapless midshipman who cannot set aside his seafaring ways, even when he is confined to dry land as a result of an injury. Wilton’s character (who is called, simply, “Sailor”) competes for the affection of a young woman named Evelyn (Mary Hannan) despite the opposition of her father (Gordon Howard) and a larger, determined suitor (Kenneth Lopp). The film is a second-tier comedy, but there is one classic scene. in which Sailor shaves before taking Evelyn out on a date. He is clearly accustomed to shaving aboard his ship, and as a result, he is constantly attempting to regain his balance, despite the fact the floor is level and stable. The critic Leonard Folsom has written that “The unheralded Wilton has a scene that combines the physical complexity of a Chaplin solo with close-ups of inexpressive expression that rival the finest moments of Keaton.” At the beginning of that scene, Wilton uses this smiling mug as his shaving mug, and while he sets it on the shelf above the washbasin midway through, it remains, as Folsom writes, 'an oddly compelling focus of the film so long as it is onscreen, enormous in its diminutive size, menacing in its cheer.' "

To find out how other significant objects fared on eBay, click here.

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Bid on eBay to Have Dinner With Sarah Palin!

TresSugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:00:00 -0700

If you've ever dreamed of hanging out with Sarah Palin - now's your chance. But you'd better break open your piggy bank, because as of the time of this writing, the current eBay bid was $38,666.60 for a private dinner for five. But hey, there's free shipping!

All proceeds will go to Ride2Recovery, which benefits wounded soldiers. I have always found the concept of paying to have dinner with the famous and powerful very strange - if you had the money, would you want to meet her?

German Village Up For Sale on eBay

CitizenSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:50 -0700

For only $405,000 you can own a village in Saxony. That's the bidding price for Liebon, Germany, which is being sold on eBay.

Thrown in with the town of Liebon is a playground, village pond, a small shop, two road signs, and population of eight people. Sounds like a steal!

You'll also own a little piece of history. The township dates back to the year 1321. How much would you pay for it?

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Guess What the First Item Ever Sold on eBay Was?

GiggleSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:00:00 -0800

I can't say that I haven't been guilty of bidding on weirder things. What do you think the first item ever sold on eBay was? It was a broken . . .

Typewriter
Computer
Laser pointer
Camera
Telephone
Calculator

Unusual eBay Feedback

GiggleSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

People are finding more and more ways of expressing themselves. I mean, not everyone can get a book deal or write that screenplay. Rather than be a troll and take out your angst in Internet discussion forums and the comments sections of blogs, you can leave unusual eBay feedback to show the world what a clever and witty person you are. Here are some of my faves, but you can click here to see more.

POSITIVE: Item shipped quickly, have been having erotic dreams about seller. Thanks!
POSITIVE: I don't really remember what I ordered. But I've been sitting in the box it came in all day, and it's great!
NEGATIVE: Despite indication in listing, I could not fit item into any of my body cavities.
NEGATIVE: Very nice monkey mascot costume, but it's a size 34, not a 63 as advertised.
NEGATIVE: Though you did nothing wrong, I am giving you this negative feedback to teach you that the universe is arbitrary and unfair.
NEGATIVE: Buying this Space 1999 Lunchbox did not fill the void in my empty life for as long as I'd hoped.

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Dumbass of the Day

GiggleSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 06:00:00 -0700

This eBay business is out of control. Earlier this week, we encountered a nutjob who's auctioning off herself and her home on eBay. Along the same lines, the dumbass below just auctioned off his "life" - his car, home, furnishings, job, and friends - for a mere $384,000. He was hoping to get at least a $100,000 more, but without a side of nachos thrown into the deal, I'm afraid he got what he was worth.

Woman Puts Her House and Herself on eBay

GiggleSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Devon Traboscia, a 42-year-old single mom of two, thought she'd multitask by auctioning off her house and herself as a package deal on eBay and Craigslist. Devon's itching to get married and her four-bedroom Florida home is, apparently, the best thing she has to offer. Intellect? Humor? Charm? Nah. For this real estate agent, square footage sells. Although Devon claims to be "doing it for the real reasons, the right reasons," I'm not sure there's ever any reason to hit up eBay for love - that is, unless this winner is her kind of Prince Charming. (Click here for more on the story and to see a slide show of Devon looking, uh, you'll see . . .)

eBay Find of the Day: Nike Shaped Carrot

GiggleSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:02:00 -0700

Uh, just don't do buy it. I doubt I needed to tell you that, since this baby carrot is a whopping $350. Let's get back to the real items, shall we? Like the Virgin Mary on a piece of toast and giant Corn Flakes.

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There's a Google Ad For Just About Any Problem

GiggleSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:02:00 -0700

As if banking on the irresponsible misdoings of young teens during prom isn't shameless enough, the url provided (StrollerGalaxy.com) takes users straight to - a crisis hotline? Planned Parenthood? A support group website? Click here and see for yourself.

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eBay Find of the Day: Family Guy Couch

GiggleSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

For those of you who'll take anything that's free (you know who you are), have we got a find for you! Up for grabs and sitting in someone's yard for immediate pickup, the couch above, according to eBay has "been rained on like once or four times, and a couple bunny rabbits have tried to nibble on it, but then were like Whoa this isn't tender chutes this is a Couch, hop hoppity, hoppy-hop."

If the description isn't enough of a sale, the owner notes that this "brownish" sleeper couch looks a lot like the one in Family Guy. Lifestyles of the middle class and animated - who wouldn't want a piece of that? (For the record, this couch looks nothing like the one in Family Guy. See the pic below.) To read more on the couch, click here.

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