A minty-fresh way to make money on eBay
November 19th, 2006 | by mbhunter |This is pretty dang cool.
Ran across this MINT IN BOX auction on eBay. It’s for … well … a mint. In a box.
And this mint in box currently has 39 bids and is going for $5,100. I’m not kidding! The auction ends Thanksgiving, and it already has over 12,000 hits.
“What, did Madonna suck on it?” my wife asked. 
Well, I can’t say for sure on this auction, but I suspect it might be that there’s the possibility that the winning bidder will get more back in cash than the final bid. That’s how it’s worked out before. As in the winner (with a high bid of $5,100, say) might get not only the mint but $5,200 through PayPal, plus some extra goodies like an eBay gift certificate, and other highly spendable bonuses. I imagine that’s why there’s the following and the five-digit hit number.
EZas123’s About Me page has a link to some past auctions and what the winning bidder actually received. Now, I suppose there’s always the possibility that the guy could “close up shop” and send the winning bidder nothing but what was listed in the auction — and be perfectly covered because he sent was was advertised — but that would be really, really dumb. This is too good a gig to pull a bonehead like that.
It’s incredible buzz for Sweet Breath, the sponsor for the auction. If they paid $1,000 plus eBay fees for the auction (I don’t know this) it’s a great brand boost over a very short period of time. Plus he responds to comments, so the commenters, as well as the bidders, can get some press as well. Maybe he’ll post mine. 
Congrats EZas123, and I hope you make a MINT on these auctions!
4 Responses to “A minty-fresh way to make money on eBay”
By ricemutt on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
This is just bizarre. Took me a while to understand what was going on, but it’s a novel spin on advertising, I guess, and I suppose it’s worth something to companies! Thanks for the interesting post.
By SDMC on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
oh boy!
By Yan on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
Great find, John! Looks like a new strategy to advertize your business. Will make a note of it.
By The Sarcasticynic on Nov 20, 2006 | Reply
A mint. Go figure. An M&M I can see, but a MINT??