Using Controversy To Sell Things On eBay

Using controversy to sell things on eBay is a tactic as old as the auction site, itself, – even if sometimes the ethics or morality might be questionable. For instance, about 90 minutes after the 9/11 monstrosity, newspapers and other memorabilia were for sale on eBay.

Even non-sports fans, like me, have heard of the monstrosity in November when Detroit Pistons/Indiana Pacer players waded into the stands, punching spectators and getting involved in a general melee that, IMHO, casts shame on professional sports.

Player Ron Artest received the most severe penalty – a suspension for the rest of the basketball season. In response, eBay sellers have been peddling “Ron t-shirts” and expressing their own opinions:

I have to admit that I find the word “free” a little strange. After all the guy isn’t in jail for assault, where he might arguably belong. As NBA Commissioner David Stern said, “The actions of the players involved wildly exceeded the professionalism and self-control that should fairly be accepted from NBA players.”

Other choice mementos from this disgusting event include cups used in this brawl:

And the worst of all …

Speak about the “barbarians at the gate”. What great advice … if anything or anyone irritates you, just fill a cup with beer and throw it at a TV. This is really the lowest of the low. The only good news is that this tasteless auction, with less than one hour to go, is selling for only 60 cents.

I’ve gotta wonder if the people selling this junk really believe what they’re saying, or if they’re just trying to make a buck selling things on eBay?