Misspelling Costs eBay Seller $500,000
Let this be a lesson to you: spell check, spell check, spell check. We can't say it enough. We're not spelling snobs. We don't even care if other people think you're a doofus. We just want to save you the pain and humiliation of losing $500,000 due to a bonehead-spelling mistake -- something one poor sap recently experienced on the mean streets of eBay through the sale of a priceless bottle of beer.The seller was auctioning off an extraordinarily rare bottle of Allsopp's Arctic Ale. This beverage, brewed in 1852 for an arctic expedition led by Sir Edward Belcher, was crafted with special qualities necessary for the journey, including a freezing point below 12 degrees Fahrenheit and other properties said to stave off scurvy.
The initial seller's mistake was leaving out a vital 'P' in the name 'Allsopp's.' A savvy bidder either stumbled upon the listing for 'Allsop's' accidentally, or used a tool such as Auction Intelligence, which searches auctions for potential deals due to common misspellings. As you might expect, the misspelling made the auction difficult to find, which in turn made competition for the bottle very minimal. The winner of the bottle was only the second bidder on the auction and won it for just $304. That may sound like a lot of money to spend on a 105-year-old bottle of beer that's sure to be skunked. But consider this: The winner then turned right around and re-listed the item using the proper spelling this time. And this time, it sold for a whopping $503,300.
So proofread carefully, friends, and keep an eye out on Switched in the next few days for a follow up story along the lines of "Man Throws Self Off of Bridge After eBay Spelling Error."
From Gizmag
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shannon said 7:35PM on 2-08-2008
Robert at 8:34 posting time: the IRS can't touch internet sales funds. They are legally off limits to the IRS. You can sell all you want and keep all the money for yourself. The IRS hates it but there is nothing they can do about it; they even wrote the law for it when eBay first started saying internet sales couldn't be taxed. As for you returning extra cash and stuff, you're as stupid as they come. Their mistake is your profit. Quit being so stupid and keep what's given to you.
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r russell said 2:49PM on 2-10-2008
I think some people have to much time on their hands and worry to much about other people instead of themselves. So, what if this happened. This kind of behavior happens everyday in our society. What makes anyone think they can change it now? The almighty dollar is what makes this country go around. If people are going to sell things on e-bay and this happens to them, they should except it. It is no ones fault but their own. The old saying " If you can't handle the heat, then get out of the kitchen!"
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Joe said 10:14PM on 6-13-2008
To find items like this you can use http://www.yourtypos.com it will help you search for typos without having to write them in yourself.
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sleepy m.20 said 6:27PM on 9-04-2007
how do I get one of those fancy icons on the left of my comments?
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matt said 6:44PM on 9-04-2007
That is why you set a RESERVE on items to auction.
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mc said 6:54PM on 9-04-2007
Take a look around online. The deal didn't go through, and collectors in the field say the bottle is most certainly not from the 1850s. Actual value: More like the $300 it sold for the first time around. Seller has been quoted that the winning bidder was a prankster, as were a bunch of the underbidders who ran up the price.
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PurpleAngel said 7:31PM on 9-04-2007
This is a really sad story. Maybe the person who was selling the bottle really needed the money like a lot of us selling on Ebay. Maybe this was a typographical error on the seller's part. I believe that was a cheap shot from the buyer, and that he should at least split the money with the seller. The buyer should have been honest with the seller. I am disabled, I sell on Ebay, and I have had many very honest and nice people tell me about a mistake in what I sell, and I am ever so grateful for that. If this buyer has any conscience at all he would do the right thing -- make it a win win situation. Human beings are a lot more important than the almighty dollar any way.
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Gene o said 7:57PM on 9-04-2007
Not much research went into this story. Checked E-Bay past sales - 1 bottle of Allsopp's Artic Ale was listed for 1,999. and sold on 8/26 for 2,550.
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Michael LeMoine said 8:10PM on 9-04-2007
I created a book about how to profit with misspellings on ebay. Although this deal did fall through many many people are using my system to make a ton of money. You can check out the system here:
www.dreammakerbooks.com/recommends/mercenary
Mike
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sleepy m.20 said 8:41PM on 9-04-2007
If this bottle was worth so much, why weren't there several others along with it? The person who put it on e-bay more than likely pilfered it from a respectable establishment and should have been punished anyway and he should give the $$ to the rightful owner(s).
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Lisa said 11:46PM on 9-04-2007
Gene, this was sold on Ebay Canada which is why you couldn't find it. Search there and you will find the auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Museum-Quality-ALLSOPPs-ARCTIC-ALE-1852-SEALED-FULL_W0QQitemZ260145824374QQihZ016QQcategoryZ1351QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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gRANNY said 11:52PM on 9-04-2007
i HAVE BEEN A DEALER FOR 42 YEARS.. i DO NOT BELIVE THE BOTTLE WAS SOLD AND PAID FOR ...500,000 DOLLARS... and if it was...it probably was bought by a business, like a gambling casino and take it off their taxes as a deductions...Real people do not spend half a million dollars on that crap
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Kate said 8:04PM on 9-11-2007
We used eBay for several years to market out products. eBay over charges for their auctions fees, store fees and final value fees. Not to mention if you get a buyer who wants to leave you a negative rating, the customer can do so without any justification to do so. I would NOT recommend anyone selling any products on eBay. Not worth it.
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dude said 7:42PM on 9-12-2007
In the words of Homer Simpson. D'oh!!!
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Robert said 8:34PM on 10-11-2007
Don't worry Uncle SAM will be taking about 48% of it for capital gains.
If you know your getting something other than what is described you're just a plain old fashioned thief. Nothing more.
People give me too much money for change, I found at least five wallets and purses loaded with cash, I've been given three refund cards for one return, and I've had products rung up incorrectly. I return the items because its the right thing to do.
If the person knows it is of high value and wants to give it away cheep thats one thing. If they aren't aware and you purposely take advantage of it you are just a common criminal.
And when your dishonest like that you can bet your friends take notice and have no issue with stealing from you.
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Donna said 10:08AM on 11-13-2007
http://www.kickitback.com/?how=addalink&rid=18138
Check this out! Get cash back on all your ebay purchses!
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sean kumar said 6:51PM on 11-21-2007
I am interested to sell a bottle of 125 + years Gordons Jin in vintage condition, Any ideas how to Price it.........
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vicky said 6:48PM on 11-21-2007
damn i will be mad as hell im like the average person dum and broke i swear some one bought something from me and sold it for like 100xs more money i will call him up and say dude ur efed up!!
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jonny said 12:53PM on 11-23-2007
that would be a 155 year old bottle not 105
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Garth Esnowman said 3:53PM on 12-04-2007
Interesting story, but the last line was uncalled for. Suicide isn't comical.
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