Shop Talk
Retailers, consumers and prices
The legal way to buy stolen goods
Don’t let the headline fool you. It is still illegal to buy stolen goods … unless you’re buying them from the police.
In the same way that eBay is the world’s virtual garage sale, a website called Property Room is trying to become the world’s virtual police auction.
Founded in 1999, the website has partnered with 1,600 law enforcement agencies around the country to sell unwanted or unclaimed recovered property.
Although the latest statistics from the U. S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show crime decreasing across the country, property crimes here, in Chicago, apparently rose 4 percent between 2007 and 2008–the latest numbers available. From a wider view, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics found that property crimes account for about 75 percent of all personal and property crimes committed in 2006.
While much of that merchandise finds its way back to the owner, a lot of it never does.
On Property Room, users can bid on items ranging from electronics and power tools to jewelry and designer clothes. There are even cars up for bid, although don’t hold out hope to get a shot at the Big Bopper’s car.
Bids can start as low as $1, and proceeds are said to be split between the website and participating police department.
It’s open-mike day at eBay!
Wall Street technology investors spent much of Wednesday at eBay‘s San Jose campus listening to the online giant defend its company, especially its slowing marketplaces unit.
And for anyone doubting the relevance of eBay’s site in today’s crowded e-commerce field, Mark Carges, the chief technology officer of marketplaces, set them straight.
Walking the crowd through eBay’s enhanced search functions, Carges showed a slide encapsulating what may very well be the best of eBay — “A Hello Kitty wedding cake topper,” he announced, to giggles throughout the auditorium.
He paused for emphasis before adding: “Available only on eBay.”
The budding techie comedian made the crowd guffaw with a special mention of the item’s “satin floral accents.”
Other twitters, and not the virtual kind, came when Donahoe told the crowd to turn off their cell phones — “Unless they’re buy orders and then stay on as long as you like.”
And finally, regarding that perennial crowd pleaser, valuations, Donahoe asked Chief Financial Officer Bob Swan to explain to the gathered investors how they should value the company.
Gotta get them where it hurts-
Encourage anyone you know who has Ebay stock to SELL it.
Our last ebay strike made the national news, now with a much more volatile financial climate, a REAL impact might be possible.
Gouging the little guy isn’t as in style as it it was under the Bush regime.
And since they’ve taken to screwing us penny by penny – it might be time to take to the streets. Getting the word out, just may have some impact!
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Resident Shop Talk Expert
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