My mother - The Ebay Queen

I couldn't help but write a little post dedicated to my mother's love of Ebay. In 1995, computer programmer, Pierre Omidyar, started what is now the largest online bid platform on the internet. I Wikipedia'ed Ebay and this little so perfectly explains why so many people love ebay, including my mother.

One of the first items sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer for $14.83. Astonished, Omidyar contacted the winning bidder to ask if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I'm a collector of broken laser pointers."

I love it. No other place, save Etsy and a few other consignment websites, can you hock your worthless crap and even make a profit on it. I know it's not a new concept, but have you ever taken the time to actually look at what you can buy? I would even go as far to say I've bought some interesting things on Ebay including party dresses and Intuition razor heads (in their SEALED, original packaging, thank you very much), but there is absolutely nothing better than getting a phone call from my mother and hearing her say, "You'll never guess what I sold on Ebay today."

Would you believe that she has sold a vintage jock strap? She's even convinced some sucker to buy a coyote skull she salvaged on one of her daily adventure hikes. I searched for my mother's profile this evening and stalked her many listings for something worthy to talk about. Thank goodness for the "View Completed Listings Button".

Weasel Pelt

I'd say this is a deal. I think I read somewhere once that pelt traders used a stack of beaver pelts to barter for a gun. This pelt is way prettier than a mangy beaver, so I'd say this is a pretty rockin' steal. Similar listings are going for about $17.99. What one does with a weasel pelt, I don't even want to know.

Vintage Button Barrette

Ha! So, I think I got this for Christmas one year. (I'm really sorry if whoever gave this to me is reading this). There are a few of me and my sister's gift rejects.

Umbero Shorts (Used)

 The umberos! Remember when these soccer shorts were as cool as the original Adidas logo shirts? If you're having trouble placing that time period, think Ace of Base, circa 1995. I think my dad has a matching black pair that he actually wore golfing with us last summer...

These are just the beginning of the strange listing history my mother has sold to somebody, somewhere in the world. Just as the first buyer on Ebay purchased a broken laser pointer that may have otherwise been discarded, one man's trash is another's treasure.