Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/http://www.switched.com/2009/10/07/sarah-palin-signed-xbox-360-hits-ebay-for-1-1m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You love Xbox. You adore Sarah Palin. You've always wondered how to bring them into euphoric harmony. And now, for a little more than $1 million, your life can finally be complete.

According to the Huffington Post, an Xbox 360 purportedly autographed by the former Republican Vice Presidential candidate and ex-governor of Alaska was recently re-posted for auction on eBay, at a starting price of $1.1 million. As of Wednesday morning, there were no bids on the item, but fear not, gaming millionaires, you still have about eight days before bidding closes. The proud owner of the system reportedly, and understandably, had difficulty parting with it, and faced several problems listing it, as well. There are also some questions about the legitimacy of the signature itself. The description, as posted by the lister, is as follows:

Continue reading Sarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M

SwitchedSarah Palin-Signed Xbox 360 Hits eBay for $1.1M originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayebay auctionsebay wtfEbayAuctionsEbayWtfgovernmentpoliticssarah palinSarahPalintopxbox360Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/30/10-year-old-girl-tries-to-sell-moaning-grandma-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,



A 10-year-old English girl apparently never learned the familiar lesson of respecting one's elders. According to the Daily Mail, the unappreciative Zoe Pemberton, who had grown perturbed because her "rare and annoying" grandmother Marion Goodall, was "moaning a lot," and decided to list her noisy 61-year-old Nana on eBay.

Pemberton wasn't completely disrespectful, though, as she tried to spice up the sale by declaring that Goodall was "very cuddly and loves word searches." Even though 27 people bid, some over $3,000, on the sweet sexagenarian, eBay removed the listing because, according to spokesperson Jenny Thomas, the site "does not allow the listing of any human being."

Continue reading 10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay

Switched10-Year-Old Girl Tries to Sell 'Moaning' Grandma on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eBayeBay grandmotherebay wtfEbayGrandmotherEbayWtfkidstopweirdWed, 30 Sep 2009 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Woman Auctions Off Baby's Name on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/woman-hurting-for-money-auctions-off-babys-name-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/woman-hurting-for-money-auctions-off-babys-name-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/07/woman-hurting-for-money-auctions-off-babys-name-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under:


Providing further evidence that nothing is, in fact, sacred, Lavonne Drummond, a single mother of six in Arkansas, has decided to auction off the right to name her forthcoming baby on eBay.

"You can name him annything [sic] like after a loved one, a departed one, or any great boy name!" reads the auction listing. "I have no job or any source of income so my sister pays for my rent, my phone bill, water bill, gas bill, ALL MY BILLS. And our car is on the last leg of its life." To get a new car, Drummond hopes to get "around 20-25 thousound" dollars. Presumably, that will also help her pay for a spell-checker for her next eBay listing.

Remarkably, at the time of this writing, the auction had 72 bids, with the highest bid standing at $2,700 (still with two days remaining in the auction). And while we're sure she needs the money and do feel sorry that her husband left her, we also have a tip for Ms. Drummond: EASE UP ON MAKING BABIES.

Just a thought. [From: eBay, via Buzzfeed]

SwitchedWoman Auctions Off Baby's Name on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babyebayebay wtfEbayWtfkidsrecessiontopweirdFri, 07 Aug 2009 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Man Sells Father's Remains on eBay for Revenge]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/man-sells-fathers-remains-on-ebay-for-revenge/http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/man-sells-fathers-remains-on-ebay-for-revenge/http://www.switched.com/2009/06/23/man-sells-fathers-remains-on-ebay-for-revenge/#commentsFiled under: ,


Hell hath no fury like a resentful child scorned. Forty-five years ago, Brit-based Kenneth Ireland left his two children and his wife for another woman, leaving the family with nothing but $28 dollars. Son William Ireland, who was six when Dad departed, spent his childhood longing for a father, and in 2006, William tracked his old pops down and tried to reconnect. Not long after, his estranged father passed away.

When it was revealed that Ireland Sr. left his entire estate to his second wife and the child they had together, William was apparently none too pleased, having hoped his father might try to make amends. He shelled out the money for the funeral and received his father's ashes, which, in a way typical of revenge scenarios, he then posted on eBay. According to TheSun.co.uk, the listing for the auction (which ended Sunday, Father's Day) simply read: 'Here are the ashes of my father, Kenneth Ireland, an adulterer who left a wife, two children and just £17 (about $28) in her pocket. He never paid a penny towards his kids' upbringing.'

Continue reading Man Sells Father's Remains on eBay for Revenge

SwitchedMan Sells Father's Remains on eBay for Revenge originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayfathers dayFathersDaystrangebuttruetopweirdTue, 23 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toddler Accidentally Buys $12K Construction Digger Online]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/toddler-accidentally-buys-12k-construction-digger-in-online-auc/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/toddler-accidentally-buys-12k-construction-digger-in-online-auc/http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/toddler-accidentally-buys-12k-construction-digger-in-online-auc/#commentsFiled under: ,


A New Zealand toddler gave her parents a shock (to say the least) when she purchased a $12,000 Kobelco digger on an auction Web site. According to Australian newspaper The Age, Three-year-old Pipi Quinlan woke up before the rest of her family and made her way to the family computer. After booting up Internet Explorer, Pipi navigated to an online auction site called Trade Me. Since her mother's account was still logged onto the site, Pipi was able to click her way to a winning bid for the massive industrial digger.

The precocious little scamp said nothing about her purchase until her mother received an e-mail notification from the site confirming the sale.

Luckily for the Quinlan family, a quick phone call to the auction site cleared the mess up, and the digger was re-listed for auction. Is their toddler the next super cyber-hacking genius? We doubt it. She would have used Firefox. [From: The Age via Fark]




Continue reading Toddler Accidentally Buys $12K Construction Digger Online

SwitchedToddler Accidentally Buys $12K Construction Digger Online originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 21 May 2009 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbigmoneydiggerfunnykidsmoneyshoppingtoptoyThu, 21 May 2009 19:39:00 EST<![CDATA['New' Verizon Phone From eBay Comes With Porn]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/04/24/new-verizon-phone-from-ebay-comes-with-porn/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/24/new-verizon-phone-from-ebay-comes-with-porn/http://www.switched.com/2009/04/24/new-verizon-phone-from-ebay-comes-with-porn/#commentsFiled under: ,

Consumers buying gadgets and games sometimes discover questionable, and even illegal, items hidden in the packaging or sitting dormant in the device's memory. One eBay shopper, going by the name Lillian, recently noticed illicit material on a supposedly new cell phone, according to The Consumerist.

Lillian purchased her Verizon phone from a reputably reliable eBay source with almost impeccable feedback from previous sales. When the "new" LG Chocolate arrived, Lillian grew wary of its origins, as it came in packaging not associated with a new Verizon phone. The screen also possessed a few light scratches, and the phone came with a non-LG charger that fell apart when Lillian handled it. Lillian also noticed that the indicator in the phone's battery compartment revealed that the phone may have been dropped in water.

Still uncertain if she had been duped (C'mon, Lily!), Lillian scrolled through the device's "MyLinks," and discovered shortcuts to a variety of Spanish language sites, including some that displayed pornography. iQue lastima! At this point, Lillian finally realized something was amiss, and turned to The Consumerist for help. The Consumerist watchdogs wisely recommended she familiarize herself with eBay's security policy, and that she also file a complaint.

Continue reading 'New' Verizon Phone From eBay Comes With Porn

Switched'New' Verizon Phone From eBay Comes With Porn originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adultauctionsebayebay wtfEbayWtfpornsextopverizon lg chocolateverizon wirelessVerizonLgChocolateVerizonWirelessFri, 24 Apr 2009 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists Shoot Down Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes with Frickin' Lasers]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/16/scientists-shoot-down-malaria-carrying-mosquitoes-with-frickin/#commentsFiled under:

Seriously, is there anything a laser can't do? A team of mad scientists in Washington have concocted a system that could essentially eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes with lasers, and the whole thing can be built from parts sourced on eBay. The so-called mosquito laser is credited to an idea from Lowell Wood, an astrophysicist who worked with Edward Teller, the "architect of the original plan to use lasers to shield America from the rain of Soviet nuclear arms." In theory, at least, the technology could one day be used to draw a laser barrier of sorts around a village. Of course, the trick is to make the lasers powerful enough to smoke the bugs without harming humans -- any of you Earthlings up for a clinical trial or two? [Via eHow]

SwitchedScientists Shoot Down Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes with Frickin' Lasers originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diseasehealthlaserlasersmalariaMosquitoesrocket scienceRocketSciencescienceweaponMon, 16 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geothermal Cave Home Up for Sale on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/geothermal-cave-home-up-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/geothermal-cave-home-up-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/25/geothermal-cave-home-up-for-sale-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,


Have you ever wanted to live in a tricked-out cave? Was the tricked-out cave in your fantasy located in Festus, Missouri? If you answered yes to one of these questions, and have $300,000 lying around, you may want to check out eBay.

The Sleeper family of Festus, Missouri is selling their unique, 17,000 square-foot home on eBay. The eco-friendly abode, complete with kitchen, laundry room, party room and its own water source, is built into a cave and is naturally climate-controlled by passive solar and geothermal energy.

The house looks awesome, but we have some real concerns about the property and the family selling it: one, the house is located in Festus, Missouri; two, the family calls itself the Sleepers and lives in a cave. Sounds like a grizzly bear trap to us. Buyer beware! [From: Wavy.com]

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SwitchedGeothermal Cave Home Up for Sale on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayeco friendlyEcoFriendlygeothermalgeothermal energyGeothermalEnergygreengreen housegreen technologyGreenHouseGreenTechnologyhousesolarsolar powerSolarPowerWed, 25 Feb 2009 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[French eBay Removes 'Yellow Star' Ranking After Anti-Nazi Complaints]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/23/french-ebay-removes-yellow-star-ranking-after-anti-nazi-compla/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/23/french-ebay-removes-yellow-star-ranking-after-anti-nazi-compla/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/23/french-ebay-removes-yellow-star-ranking-after-anti-nazi-compla/#commentsFiled under: ,






The French Web site of online auctioneer eBay has temporarily changed its policy due to a user complaint linking the site's ranking system to a symbol of Nazi Germany, according to an AFP report in Yahoo! News.

Earlier this month, Dominique Bellamy wrote to the site, complaining of eBay's 'yellow star' user rank and comparing it to the yellow Star of David that European Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust. Recalling the Nazi invasion of France, Bellamy's wife Francoise told AFP, "It brought back bad memories of the occupation."

As frequent eBay users know, the site employs color-coded stars as a user rating system. The 'yellow star' is the lowest rating that one user can give another. While the French site has not made any public announcement of the policy change, a spokesperson for the eBay corporation did acknowledge the change, telling AFP in an e-mail that "no definitive change has been decided yet." According to the e-mail, no other eBay sites have received similar complaints. [From: AFP]

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SwitchedFrench eBay Removes 'Yellow Star' Ranking After Anti-Nazi Complaints originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti semitismanti-semiticAntiSemitismcontroversyebayjewishMon, 23 Feb 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Jude Law, Natalie Portman Contact Info Found on eBay BlackBerry]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/blackberry-loaded-with-celebrity-contact-info-sold-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/blackberry-loaded-with-celebrity-contact-info-sold-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/blackberry-loaded-with-celebrity-contact-info-sold-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blackberry Loaded With Celebrity Contact Info Sold on eBay
We've told you before to make sure you wipe out your cell phone before selling it or giving it away, but apparently some of you still aren't listening. What's worse, is that some of you who don't listen auction off your BlackBerrys on eBay loaded with contact info for people who we're pretty sure would rather the general public not be able to reach them.

Kent Devey picked up a used BlackBerry on eBay for £16 (about $23) loaded with the personal contact information of about 50 celebrities, including Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Kevin Spacey. Devey didn't believe what he found on his new BlackBerry until he gave Julie Walters a ring. Sure enough, she answered the phone.

Devey, being at least somewhat reasonable, is returning the BlackBerry to Working Titles Films, whom the seller is believed to work for. The company is grateful and sending him a new handset along with tickets to 'Billy Elliot.' [From: Telegraph]

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SwitchedJude Law, Natalie Portman Contact Info Found on eBay BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryebayprivacyFri, 13 Feb 2009 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Phelps' Bong Pops Up On eBay, Leads to Arrests]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/michael-phelps-bong-pops-up-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/michael-phelps-bong-pops-up-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/13/michael-phelps-bong-pops-up-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under:


In what can only be described as an example of extreme stupidity, the owner of the bong Michael Phelps was photographed enjoying actually attempted to sell the infamous paraphernalia on eBay.

The bong's asking price was as high as $100,000. One can only imagine the wondrous things the owner would have purchased if he had only been able to cash in on his most prized asset. All those dreams, however, went out the window when police confiscated the bong in relation to their ongoing witch hunt (oops, we mean investigation). The owner of the bong did get something in return for his bold move: He got arrested, along with all the other people who were at the party. Police tracked down the owner and other party attendees after seeing the eBay listing.

Smooth move buddy! Better luck next time. [From: CBS]




Continue reading Phelps' Bong Pops Up On eBay, Leads to Arrests

SwitchedPhelps' Bong Pops Up On eBay, Leads to Arrests originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expire-images:2010-2-13michael phelpsMichaelPhelpsstupidityweirdFri, 13 Feb 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[What You Can and Can't Sell on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/recession-guide-what-you-can-and-cant-sell-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/recession-guide-what-you-can-and-cant-sell-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/12/recession-guide-what-you-can-and-cant-sell-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Recession Guide: What You Can and Can't Sell on eBay
We haven't seen any numbers confirming this yet, but we're pretty sure people are flocking to eBay to sell whatever they have laying around in order to supplement their income during the recession. However it is important to realize that while that 1st gen iPhone may be a good way to line your pockets with a little extra dough you can't auction off just anything on eBay.

eBay has some pretty stringent terms of service (TOS) that prohibit you from selling intangible items, drug paraphernalia, and other "inappropriate" things. So what's out?

  • Your virginity. Natalie Dylan attempted to auction off her cherry on eBay to pay for school. eBay politely told her to take it elsewhere, which she did. Nevada's Moonlite Bunny Ranch is now organizing the auction.
  • Yourself, or your soul. Falling under the category of a "non-item" you can't auction off your being or your eternal spirit. Sorry guys.
  • Your wife. There's a problem if your item can resist the idea of being auctioned off.
  • Your bong. Drug paraphernalia is a big no-no. Even if it's touched the lips of an Olympic record holder.
  • A Senate Seat. As a bunch of jokesters found out in the aftermath of the Rod Blagojevich scandal.

Continue reading What You Can and Can't Sell on eBay

SwitchedWhat You Can and Can't Sell on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionebayrecessionterms of serviceTermsOfServicetosThu, 12 Feb 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA["867-5309" Phone Number Now Selling on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/02/867-5309-phone-number-now-selling-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/02/867-5309-phone-number-now-selling-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/02/867-5309-phone-number-now-selling-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under:



Have you ever wanted to own an intangible piece of rock memorabilia? Well, you have until February 9th to bid on the area code 201 version of the famous Tommy Tutone phone number. And it'll only cost you a few thousand bucks!

Yes, you can have the privilege of getting random phone calls from random pranksters who listen to the '80s song about a guy who finds a girl's number on a bathroom wall. Spencer Potter, a 28-year-old DJ, is selling off his business with the well-known number after having it for the past five years. He says he gets about 40 calls a day and once dated a woman who gave it out as a fake number to guys at bars. (It's unclear whether or not her name is Jenny).

Since people don't own phone numbers, you can't actually sell them, but Potter's getting away with it with the inclusion of his New York area business, A Blast Entertainment. Vonage, which Potter used to register the digits, agreed to the sale. Potter hopes it gets him over $40,000 but, as of now, he's stuck at $7,500. [From: CNN]

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Switched"867-5309" Phone Number Now Selling on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80sauctionsebayfunnymusicshoppingtommy tutoneTommyTutonetopwebweirdMon, 02 Feb 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy Obama's Senate Seat on eBay?]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/12/11/buy-obamas-senate-seat-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/12/11/buy-obamas-senate-seat-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/12/11/buy-obamas-senate-seat-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,


What do you do when your anger at the corruption of government officials boils over? Post satirical auctions on eBay of course!

In reaction to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's mind-boggling betrayal of public trust and human decency, a bunch of Internet jokesters flocked to eBay to post offers to sell president-elect Barack Obama's senate seat. Several offers were on eBay within hours of the breaking scandal. One offer for a "used Illinois Senate seat, all wood and leather," even received a bid for $99,999,999.00.

Of course, almost as quickly as the mock auctions were put up, they were pulled down, thus proving that eBay has no sense of humor. Perhaps Blagojevich should have beat everyone to the punch and taken a card from the Sarah Palin playbook and just listed the seat on eBay himself. [From: CBS News]

SwitchedBuy Obama's Senate Seat on eBay? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamacorruptionelectionexpire-images2009-12-11humorobamapoliticsRob BlagojevichRobBlagojevichThu, 11 Dec 2008 15:54:00 EST<![CDATA[With Wii, Nintendo Sees Bumper Christmas Crop]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/with-wii-nintendo-sees-bumper-christmas-crop/http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/with-wii-nintendo-sees-bumper-christmas-crop/http://www.switched.com/2008/12/10/with-wii-nintendo-sees-bumper-christmas-crop/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo, as per usual, is having great success this Holiday season, largely thanks to the Wii.

Yesterday, USA Today reported that eBay has facilitated the sale of over two million Wii systems and accessories this year, making the game system eBay's most popular tech item of 2008. While that report was coming in, our friends at Engadget reported that Wal-Mart was 'boasting' about their abundant supply of Wiis. Mere hours later, they posted an update on the story -- Wal-Mart had sold out of the systems in that brief period. Also yesterday (a big day for Wii news), Joystiq told us that Nintendo executives reported having sold 800,000 Wiis during the week of Thanksgiving, in the US alone.

Economy be damned, folks want their Nintendo. [From: USA Today, Engadget, Joystiq]

SwitchedWith Wii, Nintendo Sees Bumper Christmas Crop originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economynintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiishoppingWed, 10 Dec 2008 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Senator Asks eBay to Block Sales of Obama Inauguration Tickets]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/senator-asks-ebay-to-block-sales-of-obama-inauguration-tickets/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/senator-asks-ebay-to-block-sales-of-obama-inauguration-tickets/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/11/senator-asks-ebay-to-block-sales-of-obama-inauguration-tickets/#commentsFiled under: ,

Even if you have to sell your soul to get them, there's always a way to find tickets to overhyped events online. But with the expected popularity of Barack Obama's inauguration, the senator in charge of the shindig is asking eBay and other private sale sites to ban the re-sale of the tickets so nobody has to pay.

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California predicts there will be a tremendous demand for the 240,000 free tickets available to the public, saying she's heard that people could pay up to $40,000 for admission. Since there are always ways to sell stuff around the big online sites, Feinstein is also creating a bill that would make flipping the tickets a federal crime. She's also trying to discourage more attendees to the events, reminding them that Washington in January is cold and travel will be difficult.

Continue reading Senator Asks eBay to Block Sales of Obama Inauguration Tickets

SwitchedSenator Asks eBay to Block Sales of Obama Inauguration Tickets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barack obamaBarackObamainaugurationpoliticsstubhubwebTue, 11 Nov 2008 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Election Day Newspapers Going for $1,000 on eBay ]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/11/06/election-day-newspapers-going-for-800-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/06/election-day-newspapers-going-for-800-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/06/election-day-newspapers-going-for-800-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yesterday a Rare Sellout Day for Newspapers
As newspapers continue to struggle with the tough realities of the Internet age and the media economy, things aren't exactly looking good for the printed news industry. But, yesterday there was an unexpected ray of sunshine left for those still in print: Newspapers nationwide saw a surge in sales as voters sought out something to commemorate this historic election.

Many papers in New York, San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago all sold out yesterday, with some newspapers (The New York Times, The Washington Post) printing special editions and running thousands more copies than usual. Some Nov. 5th editions started showing up on eBay, with copies of the New York Times listing on eBay for upwards of $1,000! That's a bit excessive, but it's easy to understand the desire to have a physical memento to remember this day by, something that the future's electronic newspapers won't so readily provide. [From: Reuters]

SwitchedElection Day Newspapers Going for $1,000 on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 election2008Electionauctionsbreaking newsBreakingNewselectionsnew york timesnews papernewspaperNewYorkTimesobamaold mediaOldMediaprintThu, 06 Nov 2008 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[McCain Remark Annoys eBay Founder]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/09/mccain-remark-annoys-ebay-founder/#commentsFiled under: ,

eBay Founder Fact Checks McCain

John McCain may have just made himself a powerful enemy. During Tuesday night's debate, when asked about whom he would choose for treasury secretary, McCain made mention of Meg Whitman, the former CEO of eBay. "Meg Whitman was CEO of a company which started with 12 people," McCain said, which caused Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay, to balk via Twitter.

"Ahem. Started with 12 people?," Omidyar wrote, a clear reference to the fact that he started eBay by himself in 1995. Whitman joined in 1998 when eBay already had 30 employees.

We won't hold it against the presidential candidate -- the man is 72. Our grandma is 72, and she can't even remember our name. [From: ValleyWag]

SwitchedMcCain Remark Annoys eBay Founder originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electionsjohn mccainJohnMccainmccainpoliticstwitterThu, 09 Oct 2008 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Flying Car for Sale on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/10/03/flying-car-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/03/flying-car-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/03/flying-car-for-sale-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under: ,




Moller International will end an eBay auction for its '80s flying car prototype -- dubbed the M200X -- on Tuesday, according to BoingBoing.net.

While there have been any number of flying cars introduced over the years (like this one and this one, for instance), the M200X should really garner the most praise from sci-fi fans, as its UFO-like aesthetics are very much in line with that genre's most memorable images.

That being said, although it's billed as a "flying car," don't expect this thing to usher in 'The Jetsons' age quite yet; judging from the video (after the break), the machine hovers more than it flies, and runs at pretty unremarkable speeds. What is remarkable, though, is that the reserve price for the airborne vehicle is set at $19,000, a price far lower than those of other flying machines.

Plus, we're willing to bet that it gets better mileage than your SUV.

You'll find video of the airborne auto in action after the break. [From: BoingBoing.net]

Continue reading Flying Car for Sale on eBay

SwitchedFlying Car for Sale on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flightufovintageFri, 03 Oct 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MI6 Agent Forgets to Delete Work Records from Camera Before Selling on eBay]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/10/01/mi6-agent-forgets-to-delete-work-records-from-camera-before-sell/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/01/mi6-agent-forgets-to-delete-work-records-from-camera-before-sell/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/01/mi6-agent-forgets-to-delete-work-records-from-camera-before-sell/#commentsFiled under: ,

We'd swear this had to be some sort of spoof on the impeccable James Bond, but sadly enough, the whole thing is true. A secondhand Nikon Coolpix camera which sold on eBay for a mere £17 ($30) turned out to be a real bargain once its new 28-year old owner completed his first image dump. Along with decidedly decent snaps from his US vacation, he also found a number of "top secret" images, diagrams and sketches that have since been confirmed as MI6 material. We're talking photos of rocket launchers, hand-drawn graphics of terrorist links and all sorts of other information not at all intended for civilian eyes. 'Course, the whole thing could just be the act of one talented Photoshopper, but we highly doubt the agency would be so fortunate.

[Via Digg, image courtesy of WWII Airplane Model]

SwitchedMI6 Agent Forgets to Delete Work Records from Camera Before Selling on eBay originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britishcameraebayenglandfunnyintelligencelawLONDONMI6policesecretterrorukweirdWed, 01 Oct 2008 15:26:00 EST