Earthquake boulder makes TradeMe's all-time top three
Giant rock that smashed through a Christchurch roof makes the auction site's all time top 10. That list in full.
A giant rock that smashed through a Christchurch roof has made TradeMe's all-time list of its Top 10 most viewed auctions.
The boulder sold earlier today for $60,000*.
It was presented, in droll Kiwi fashion, under the title "Landscape Rocks for sale".
"It has ended up being a little sliver of black humour in the middle of the sadness of after the earthquake and it’s awesome that $60,000 has been raised," Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford told NBR.
"The seller, Phil, did an incredible job in answering more than 1,200 questions with a sense of humour."
Christchurch man Phil Johnson advertised the 25-tonne rock that smashed into his family's Morgans Valley home as being "suitable for garden feature, or as in our case a magnificent addition to your living area".
All proceeds from the sale of the boulder - dubbed "Rocky" - went to quake relief efforts.
Trade Me Top 10
Auction title/Visits/Closing date
1) Hurricanes Handbag & Cellphone: 1,072,893 (03/06/2006)
2) Scary washing machine: 810,802 (18/06/2009
3) Landscape Rocks for sale: 316,354 (07/03/2011)
4) Jesus Christ Pita Bread 276,094 (08/01/2009)
5) MiG-21 Fighter Jet 257,093 (03/09/2010)
6) Optus B1 Satellite 231,908 (03/04/20060)
7) Two Captured Ghosts 214,291 (08/03/2010)
8) Streaker's bikini 191,023 (16/06/2006)
9) Virgin Mary image on pebble 172,229 (31/10/2007)
10) John's Cast Off 147,728 (08/02/2009)
Confusion followed in the immeidate aftermath of Rocky's auction, as the winning bid of $50,000 was disallowed, and the boulder tripped down to the second highest bid, which was $10,050.
"We initially removed the winning bid for $50,000 as we couldn't get confirmation that it was legitimate. In the end it was, but the contact info on their account was out of date," explained TradeMe's Mr Ford.
"We talked to the seller, the $10,050 bidder and the NZSki.com team and ended up with a great result: $60,000 for the quake relief fund. NZ Ski will donate $50,000 and get the boulder, and Danielle from Franklin [aka the second highest bidder] will donate $10,000 and get the holiday to Norfolk Island. A pretty heart-warming auction in the end."
Chris Keall
Mon, 07 Mar 2011
Mon, 07 Mar 2011
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Earthquake boulder makes TradeMe's all-time top three
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