Ads for shuttle debris yanked from eBay

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Sunday, February 2, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

It didn't take long for many Americans to try to cash in on the space shuttle Columbia disaster, with numerous postings of shuttle memorabilia on eBay – with some claiming to be actual debris.

Columbia radio offered on eBay

The online auctioneer yanked a handful of listings purporting to be remnants of the orbiter which disintegrated yesterday morning during its descent into the atmosphere.

EBay's Kevin Pursglove says executives are considering reporting the sellers to federal authorities who are looking to gather Columbia's pieces for their investigation.

It's a federal offense to take pieces of an aircraft involved in an accident, with penalties up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

"Over the years we have learned to keep an eye out for individuals who might want to list items once a tragic event has occurred, the best example being pieces of the World Trade Center and Pentagon," Pursglove told the Associated Press, referring to the targets of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, a large number of legitimate items connected to Columbia or the space program are being offered up to bidders, including photographs, stamps, coins, toys, and jewelry.

"Space Shuttle Columbia radio works great and comes in original box!" wrote one seller, who started the bidding at $1, and saw the price rise to $70 by 11:30 p.m. Eastern time.

A Columbia brass urn, salt-and-pepper shakers and even a Christmas tree ornament were among other specialty items offered.

[JohnHuang2]

Sunday, February 2, 2003

Quote of the Day by monocle

[weegee]

Someone from "Germany" appears to have listed the most prominent "debris?" auction (although the coordinates would put their item in Germany and thus not a piece of the shuttle).

The bidders seem to be placing a lot of false bids on the items (and some opportunists listed items on eBay after the disaster).

The tile pieces have been on the market for a long time. I acquired one at an autograph show last year. I don't believe that the tile material ever flew in space.

[flying Elvis]

The German auction appears to have been an effort to set someone up. The seller put someone else's email address in the ad, apparently in an effort to have angry people flood the email account.

[Caipirabob]

Didn't take long for the ghouls to appear to feast upon our dearest lost.

The Iraqis are openly stating their gloating laughter at this tragedy. The world will not be at a shortage for class once they have passed into history.

One has to wonder if Tom Daschle and Hillary have a fork in their hands as well.