eBay pulls your chance to own the State of West Virginia

ScottVib · 01-15-2004, 04:38 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/interne....ap/index.html

Quote:

eBay joker auctions off West Virginia
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Posted: 1:12 PM EST (1812 GMT)

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (AP) -- An attempt to auction off the state of West Virginia drew 56 bids and nearly enough promised dollars to fill the state's projected budget hole before eBay learned of the joke.

By Tuesday evening, with five days to go in the sale of item number 2372779353, "Entire State of West Virginia," bidders had bumped the ante up to just $1 short of $100 million.

"As an eBay consumer myself ... that's a heck of a bargain!" joked Amy Shuler Goodwin, spokeswoman for Gov. Bob Wise, who's projecting a $120 million deficit for fiscal 2005.

The seller, identified only as "fishstuffnthings," did not immediately respond to e-mails late Tuesday. Nor did "nosnam1488," who was the high bidder.

Within minutes, the auction was unplugged and the state was "no longer available."

"Obviously, this buyer doesn't have the goods to sell," said Chris Donlay, spokesman for the San Jose, California-based online auction company.

But for "fishstuffnthings," it was fun while it lasted, despite some misspellings:

"I, as emperor of West Virginia, have been appointed as steward of this sale," he wrote. "You are bidding on the ENTIRE STATE of West Virginia. Please note that this auction does not come with governing rites, nor the inhabitants of said property. You also may not change the state flag, bird, or so on. This is merely for bragging rights, or to hang a sign in your garage that says, 'I own West Virginia.' Also please note, you will have every right to succeed from the union, but that has been tried in the past without much success. I am also willing to relinquish the seat of 'Emperor' FOR FREE!"

The_herd · 01-15-2004, 05:08 PM

As a former resident of WV, I'm sadly surprised that the bidding got that high.

Vince · 01-15-2004, 05:52 PM

"Also please note, you will have every right to succeed from the union, but that has been tried in the past without much success"

Succeeding has been tried without much success, huh? I love typos

BigJohn&TheLions · 01-15-2004, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

"Also please note, you will have every right to succeed from the union, but that has been tried in the past without much success"

Succeeding has been tried without much success, huh? I love typos

Maybe it was not a typo. It was about West Virginia...

tucker342 · 01-15-2004, 06:37 PM

JeeberD · 01-15-2004, 11:22 PM

Well, you might not be able to bid on West Virginia anymore, but at least you can bid on 129 Fast Food Condiments...

Linky

VPI97 · 01-15-2004, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_herd

As a former resident of WV, I'm sadly surprised that the bidding got that high.

Hey, there's still a lot of coal left in the ground in West Virginia!! (VPI97 = from small WV coal mining town).

Too bad coal only goes for about $10 a ton, though.

GoldenEagle · 01-15-2004, 11:27 PM

Someone paid #531 bucks for that? What a lucky guy.

Ksyrup · 01-15-2004, 11:28 PM

Unbelievable. Virtual panhandling. I guess that beats sitting out in the cold by the nearest expressway exit.

For $531, I hope the winner gets the title of Emperor of Hot Sauce.

01-15-2004, 05:08 PM	#2
The_herd College Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Fort Lackland, Texas (San Antonio)	As a former resident of WV, I'm sadly surprised that the bidding got that high. __________________ Oakland Raiders: HFL's 1970 AC West Champs

01-15-2004, 05:52 PM	#3
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	"Also please note, you will have every right to succeed from the union, but that has been tried in the past without much success" Succeeding has been tried without much success, huh? I love typos __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com. Last edited by Vince : 01-15-2004 at 05:52 PM.

01-15-2004, 11:22 PM	#6
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Well, you might not be able to bid on West Virginia anymore, but at least you can bid on 129 Fast Food Condiments... Linky __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

01-15-2004, 11:28 PM	#9
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	Unbelievable. Virtual panhandling. I guess that beats sitting out in the cold by the nearest expressway exit. For $531, I hope the winner gets the title of Emperor of Hot Sauce. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete." Last edited by Ksyrup : 01-15-2004 at 11:29 PM.

01-15-2004, 06:37 PM	#5
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	LOL

01-15-2004, 11:27 PM	#8
GoldenEagle Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Little Rock, AR	Someone paid #531 bucks for that? What a lucky guy.

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