eBayers Hoarding LiveStrong Yellow Wristbands
Earlier today The Wall Street Journal reported that eBay is hosting the auction of hundreds of individual LiveStrong yellow wristbands because they do not have a rule against profiting on the resale of them. [ Paid subscription required to access the article. ] I visited eBay today and saw that eBayers are doing a brisk business reselling these wristbands. Here are a few examples of auctions I saw:
- One LiveStrong wristband with a BuyItNow price of $30.00.
- Multiple LiveStrong wristbands in one day auctions, with multiple bids well in excess of $1.00.
- Shipping charges of $4.00 or more for one LiveStrong wristband.
The examples I chose don't say anything about donating profits from the auctions to the The Lance Armstrong Foundation. So, I have to assume that these people are hoarding LiveStrong wristbands and trying to profit on their resale.
Some people would say that these eBayers are performing a useful public service by making LiveStrong wristbands available at prices that reflect their true market value. But, by hoarding the wristbands in the first place, they are contributing to the shortage and increasing the likelyhood of receiving a small windfall.
Nobody has to stop doing business because I say so. But, I have no respect for people that bought extra LiveStrong wristbands with the intention of making a profit.
Update: Here are a couple of other articles about buying a LiveStrong wristband:
Comments
Was just wondering if anyone knew of the manufacturer and geographical location of thest "Livestrong" yellow wristbands. Are they being manufactured overseas?
Posted by: bercue | August 17, 2004 7:10 PM
The "LIVESTRONG" bracelets are made in China.
Posted by: jvickers | August 20, 2004 2:08 PM
I've bought my wristband in the NikeTown Store in London. I think that's also a safe way to get one, there are NikeTowns in most major cities all over the world.They won't steal money from you, they invented the whole idea.... together with Lance, of course.
Posted by: BikeMama | September 4, 2004 8:28 PM
Maybe those crooks hoarding these wristbands will develop CANCER!
A friend whom I got mine from, bought
a lot of them, and just gave them to people who appreciated the cause.
Posted by: Musicpedaler | September 10, 2004 8:33 PM
Online store status:
http://www.laf.org/contact_WWW.cfm
Posted by: Maria | September 15, 2004 1:39 PM
Don't feed the bears! Online store status:
http://www.laf.org/contact_WWW.cfm
Posted by: Maria | September 15, 2004 1:47 PM
i dont know why people are selling these wristbands for their own profit. a friend of mine bought 5 of them from the Discovery Channel store in the mall closest to our area for only $1.00.. those people need to GET a life before their little scam backfires, they get cancer ,and then they LOSE their life!!!
Posted by: Brianna W | October 4, 2004 9:47 AM
I don't see how the dudes selling the bands for a profit are much different than those who 'just gotta have' the latest cool accesory. If the original $1.00 cost to purchase a band originally went to the foundation as it was supposed to, then everything else is just supply and demand.
Are you people such idiots that you believe 'bad' people will get cancer?
Posted by: RonT | October 7, 2004 11:47 AM
I live in the Dominican Republic I think that was a great way to inspire people to help for a cause, I'm trying to get the name of the manufacture company who made the bands, in my country we're trying to start a campaing and we would like to use something similar to get help for women abused.
I wish you can help me. Regards, Ana
Posted by: ANA RODRIGUEZ | October 12, 2004 8:47 AM
I have a brother fighting cancer right now and would like to get a couple dozen for my family but cannot get them for 2 to 3 weeks. He may not have that long. If there are any out there for sale please contact me. I have always seen them as more of a "fashion" statement to be cool and had no interest. As of last week that has changed. Thank you.
Posted by: JD | October 21, 2004 12:18 AM