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A $168 Million Gigayacht Sold On eBay

eBay sets a single sale benchmark topped $85 million for a 50 percent deposit on a 405-foot megayacht designed by naval architect Frank Mulder.

Thee eventual price was $168 million, with the transaction completed with Florida Fort Lauderdale’s 4Yacht brokerage firm.

Gigayacht’s perks include a 3,000 sq. ft. master suite on the main deck, 10 multilevel VIP suites with panoramic windows, eight guest rooms, a children’s cabin, a gym, office area, movie theater, spa, retractable glass elevator, a jetstream swimming pool, a movie theater and a helicopter pad.

It also includes two large guest tenders and a ski boat stored in the garage. A submarine can be launched via dry dock.

It was sold to a Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Read: Billionaire Mark Cuban Sets A Guinness World Record For Buying A Private Jet Through The Internet

Gigayacht has a cruising speed of 16 knots and maximum speed of 20 knots, possible with two 4300 kW engines. Made from steel and features Caterpillar engine, the yacht itself can be bought from the manufacturers for $196.5 million.

When it was first listed on eBay however, the yacht had yet to be made, and delivery was set for some future date. Only one person made a bid before Abramovich, and it was for a mere $10.

Roman Abramovich made his wealth in the Russian oil industry and in the controversial debt-for-shares scheme that was popular in the country, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Abramovich has also made a name for himself in the UK.

He is also known to be a collector of luxury yachts, and by purchasing Gigayacht, the most expensive item on eBay adds to his list of collections.

Further reading: Three out of the Four Most Powerful German World War I Battleships on Sale on eBay

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The most expensive item ever sold on eBay went for $168,000,000 and was bought by a Russian billionaire

It's not just old pairs of jeans that go on ebay.

Rebekah Jordan

You can buy pretty much anything on the internet these days, whether it's a t-shirt for a dollar on Poshmark or a slightly banged up PS4 on Facebook Marketplace.

One man even bought a house from Amazon for $30,000.

But when it comes to the most expensive item ever purchased on eBay, we're talking way beyond quirky celebrity memorabilia like Britney Spears’ chewed gum which someone bought for $14,000 or rare baseball card collectables that fetch in thousands.

Those are peanuts compared to a Russian billionaire who set the record straight. Who knew that even billionaires love a good deal?

The winner of the most expensive item ever bought on eBay is the Gigayacht, bought by Roman Abramovich.

The auction itself ended at $85,000,000 - but that was just the deposit!

The actual total cost of the 405-foot-long luxury boat was a whopping $168 million.

If Abramovich’s name rings a bell, it might be because he made his fortune in the oil industry and is now the owner of Chelsea Football Club in the UK.

Abramovich also collects luxury yachts as a hobby so it's not surprising that he decided to invest in this asset and add to his remarkable portfolio.

The Frank Mulder-designed yacht is packed full of amenities and is nothing short of luxurious.

The superyacht’s 3,000-square-foot master suite on the main deck is just the start.

It also includes a salon, a cinema room, a gym, an office, a retractable lift for boarding, a swimming pool and even a helicopter garage.

Not to mention, 10 multilevel suites with panoramic windows, eight guest rooms, and a children’s cabin - all designed for a premium stay.

If that still doesn't sound fancy enough, it also has two large guest tenders and a ski boat stored in the garage.

Oh, and a submarine can be launched via a dry dock, too.

The Gigayacht has a cruising speed of 16 knots and topx speed of 20 knots, thanks to its two 4,300 kW Caterpillar engines.

Funnily enough, when the yacht was first listed on eBay, it hadn’t even been built yet. Delivery had been set for a later date.

The transaction was completed with Florida-based 4Yacht brokerage firm.

And as the story goes, Abramovich wasn’t even the first to bid on Gigayacht, another person placed an initial bid of $10.

The Gigayacht’s $168 million price tag blows away the second-most-expensive eBay sale, which was an over 10-seater Gulfstream II luxury jet that went for just over $5 million.

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10 Most Expensive Items Ever Sold On eBay: Top Spot Bought For $168M in 2024

What is the most expensive item ever sold on eBay? It turns out even billionaires drop by eBay for deals. Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich bought a 405-foot yacht worth $168 million after seeing it on the popular online marketplace. We’ve updated our most expensive eBay list for 2024 and the items cannot be as further apart as you can see below:

• Gigayacht – $168 million
• Gulfstream II – $4.9 million
• Lunch with Warren Buffett – $2.6 million
• The Town of Albert, TX – $2.5 millon
• House With a War-Proof Bunker – $2.1 million
• The Town of Bridgeville, CA – $1.77 million
• Honus Wagner Baseball Card – $1.1 million
• Ferrari Enzo – $1 million
• Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Baseball Bat – $577,610
• Ian Usher’s ‘Life’ – $309,292

eBay is one of the pioneers of online commerce and this site empowers lay individuals to buy, sell, and trade items online from anywhere, anytime. The website began operations in September 1995 and has since seen been the venue where many quirky as well as expensive items have been sold.

Let’s take a look first at the  funniest, zaniest, and weirdest items ever sold on eBay as revealed by Independent.co.uk. To start, a grilled cheese sandwich that has the face of Virgin Mary sold for $28k in 2004. People have even put up for sale haunted items like a “ghost in a jar” and a “possessed” rubber duck. If you have a philosophical bent of mind, you might be surprised o know that the “meaning of life” is worth just $3.26 as indicated by a sale in 2000.

People will do anything to possess collectibles of their favorite movie or pop stars. A Britney Spears fan shelled out $14k to buy a chewing gum spat out by the star during a concert in 2000. Justin Timberlake is another popular music figure and one of his fans had no hesitation in coughing up $1,025 to buy the pop sensation’s half-eaten sandwich. If you are enterprising like Andrew Fischer, a web designer from Nebraska, you can make good money by showcasing ads on your body. Fischer received $37,375 to display an ad for the snoring treatment SnoreStop on his forehead.  Finally, a British girl put up her virginity for sale to fund her college studies. A kind buyer gave the money but did not avail the offer to help out the young woman.

Statista.com indicates that eBay’s annual revenue was $9.567 billion in 2017 , up from $8.979 billion in 2016. The bulk of this revenue is generated via marketplace transaction fees. Top selling items on eBay include mobile phone screen protectors and cases, flashlights, bedsheets, and other everyday products. The highest average price for a category is $1,012 which is for industry and construction items.

Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty and begin our countdown of the most expensive items ever sold on eBay as of 2024.

10. Ian Usher’s ‘Life’ – $309,292

Would you sell your life on eBay whatever be the amount? Writer and travel enthusiast Ian Usher did just that and made $309k. He was struck by a mid-life crisis and therefore took the inspired decision to put up his life for sale. The money he got rejuvenated his life and he made a fresh start, traveled to many new places, and even wrote two books on his interesting experiences.

Ian Usher auctioned his entire life including friends, job, and car on eBay, Australia. It was perhaps the best decision of his life as he got a lot of money, traveled to dozens of countries, bought his own Caribbean island, and met a lovely woman who won his heart. Usher also got to meet maverick Richard Branson, owner of the Virgin business group. He made the most of life during his travels learning how to fly a plane, joining the Mile High Club, diving with sharks, and running with bulls. The best part is he also got a small role in a Hollywood film. In fact, life became one big one adventure for him as he met his goal of going through 100 new experiences in 100 weeks.

9. Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Baseball Bat – $577,610

Shoeless Joe Jackson is one of the legends of American baseball and he got his nickname when he once played without shoes which were giving him blisters. In 1919, he courted controversy when he was accused of throwing that year’s World Series to receive a bribe. In 2001, his nephew put up his Black Betsy bat for sale on eBay. The bat fetched $577,610 which puts it in this list of most expensive items ever sold on eBay.

The buyer was businessman Rob Mitchell who owns a marketing company and displays the bat in his offices. He thinks this is a good investment as he estimates the bat’s real worth to be between $1.7 million and $4 million. For the record, Mark McGwire’s 70 th home run ball fetched a record $3.05 million. Black Betsy was authenticated as the real thing by a bat expert. Other bats used by Babe Ruth and Shoeless Joe have gone for more than $100,000.

8. Ferrari Enzo – $1 million

Only 399 Ferrari Enzo supercars have been made which makes them a rare collectible. In 2004, one of these masterpieces went up for sale on eBay and attracted bids from automobile aficionados, car collectors, and other well-endowed adrenaline junkies. A Swiss gentleman won the prize by shelling out $1 million which was just $55 more than the next highest bid.

The price of this car model has since skyrocketed which makes it a great investment for the lucky winner. For instance, another Ferrari Enzo was put up for $3.2 million. Many experts estimate that even this amount is less and that the price of the car will continue to rise in value in the coming years.

7. Honus Wagner Baseball Card – $1.1 million

Baseball cards are much sought after by collectors and this rare Honus Wagner card went for $1.1 million in 2000. The American Tobacco Company issued only 200 Honus Wagner cards after the star dissociated himself with the company as he was against smoking and wished to convey this message to his fans. Baseball fan Brian Seigl parted with $1.1 million for this card which however pales before the $3.12 million fetched by a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner sold via Goldin Auctions.

The T206 Honus Wagner is considered the Holy Grail of baseball cards. It has repeatedly set record prices for a baseball card. A PSA 8 copy of the card owned previously by hockey star Wayne Gretzky sold for $2.8 million. So, Brian Seigl is onto a good thing as he can safely expect his investment to grow in value in the coming years.

6. The Town of Bridgeville, CA – $1.77 million

Real estate is a popular category on eBay. Big properties fetch huge amounts on this auction site. However, you may be surprised to learn that someone put up a whole town for sale on eBay. This private town is Bridgeville in California and it is spread over 83 acres and hosts just eight houses, a café, a post office, and 30 residents. This lot was put up for auction for $1.77 million by the owning Lapple family.

The town again went up for sale as the buyer named Krall wished to dispose it. He thinks the property is ideal for ventures such as a retreat center, corporation, college, movie company or religious group. If you are planning to venture into any of these activities, check out eBay to learn if Bridgeville, CA is still up for grabs.

5. House With a War-Proof Bunker – $2.1 million

Given the dire doomsday scenario in this nuclear age, it is good to be prepared for any eventuality. Realtors Bruce Francisco and Gregory Gibbons understood this reality and prepared a property in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains that was a former missile silo base. They built a luxurious house here whose highlight is a well-protected underground bunker that can keep you safe during war or any other emergency. They expected to make $18 million from the property but had to be satisfied with just the $2.1 million it fetched on eBay.

4. The Town of Albert, TX – $2.5 million

Insurance broker Bobby Cave made a handsome $2.5 million in 2003 by selling the small town of Albert, Texas that hosts just five residents. The town has a hoary history and functioned as a stop on the Fredericksburg-Blanco stage route as well as a hub in the President’s Ranch Trail.  Cave had bought the property for just $216k so he made a sizable profit from his smart investment.

Bobby Cave spent a lot of money to spruce up and restore the 13-acre town which is located 50 miles north of San Antonio. For instance, he constructed a tavern that is open on weekends and restored a public restroom, three-bedroom house, tractor shed, dance hall, and pavilion. In addition, Cave announced he will help the buyer to convert the property into a tourist destination by building cabins and a restaurant. His good intentions paid off and he made a decent sum for his efforts.

3. Lunch with Warren Buffett – $2.6 million

Warren Buffet is one of the richest men on the planet and time is precious for him. Plus, he is perhaps the savviest investor in history so anybody keen on making money by making smart investments will be eager to spend some time with him to pick his brain and gain sound advice on where to put their money. Buffet does his bit for charity by auctioning his lunch time once a year. In 2010, an anonymous bidder jumped on the opportunity and spent $2.6 million to have lunch with Buffet.

The proceeds from the annual lunch meetings are donated for a good cause. In fact, Buffet has raised more than $25 million via these lunch auctions. The standard place for this lunch is Smith and Wollensky steak house in New York City which also donates a sizable amount to charity. However, the venue has moved elsewhere depending on the preferences of the anonymous winners.

2. Gulfstream II – $4.9 million

Jets are an expensive investment and in 2001 an Africa-based charter flights firm shelled out a whopping $4.9 million to buy a Gulfstream II plane on eBay. The aircraft was offered by Texas-based Tyler Jet and it includes luxury facilities for 12 passengers. At that time, this was the most expensive online purchase on eBay beating the previous record of $1.65 million.

eBay’s aviation category has listed a number of aircraft for sale including those owned by celebrities such as former US president John F. Kennedy and Hollywood star John Travolta. The aviation category also lists parts, engines, pilot gear, avionics equipment, memorabilia, and clothing.

1. Gigayacht – $168 million

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich shelled out an astronomical $168 million to buy the 405-feet-long Gigayacht designed by naval architect Frank Mulder. The marine craft is the last word in luxury as it hosts a helicopter pad, retractable glass elevator, spa, office area, movie theater, jetstream swimming pool, gym, eight guest cabins, children’s cabin, 10 multilevel VIP suites, and a 3,000 sq. ft. master suite on the deck.

The transaction was completed with Florida-based 4Yacht brokerage firm. Other amenities on the yacht include a ski boat stored in the garage and two large guest tenders. In addition, there is facility for a submarine to be launched via dry dock. The yacht has a cruising speed of 16 knots and can reach a maximum speed of knots. The manufacturers sell the craft for $196.5 million, so Abramovich saved a lot of money by spending just $168 million on it. He is an oil magnate in Russia and is also known for his business ventures in the UK. Abramovich collects luxury yachts as a hobby so it is not surprising that he decided to invest in this expensive item.

What are the most popular categories for high-value sales on eBay?

While eBay is known for everyday items, it also serves as a marketplace for high-value goods across various categories. Here are the most popular categories for high-end transactions:

• Luxury Vehicles : Cars like the Ferrari Enzo and private jets like the Gulfstream II have fetched millions on eBay, making the luxury vehicle category highly popular among affluent buyers.
• Real Estate : Entire towns and properties, such as the town of Albert, TX, and houses with unique features like a war-proof bunker, have been sold for millions, reflecting the appeal of real estate on the platform.
• Collectibles and Memorabilia : Rare collectibles, including baseball cards like the Honus Wagner card and sports memorabilia such as Shoeless Joe Jackson’s bat, continue to attract high bids from collectors.
• Yachts and Boats : Ultra-luxury yachts, like the Gigayacht, are among the most expensive items ever sold, demonstrating eBay’s reach in the luxury boating market.
• Art and Antiques : Fine art, rare antiques, and historical items often command significant prices, appealing to art collectors and enthusiasts searching for unique treasures.

These categories highlight eBay’s ability to facilitate transactions for both everyday products and high-value items.

Key Insights

• High-Value Transactions on eBay: eBay has seen some extraordinary high-value transactions, including yachts, private jets, and entire towns, showcasing its platform as a marketplace for luxury and unique items.
• Most Expensive Item: The most expensive item ever sold on eBay is the Gigayacht, purchased by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for $168 million, which includes luxury features such as a helicopter pad and a retractable glass elevator.
• Collectibles and Memorabilia: Collectibles such as Shoeless Joe Jackson’s baseball bat and Honus Wagner baseball cards have fetched high prices, illustrating the value placed on historical and sports memorabilia.
• Unique Sales: Some of the unique sales on eBay include selling an entire life (Ian Usher’s life), a town (Bridgeville, CA), and lunch with Warren Buffett, highlighting the diverse range of items and experiences available on the platform.
• Philanthropic Auctions: Warren Buffett’s annual lunch auction, which raised $2.6 million in one instance, is an example of high-value transactions contributing to charitable causes.
• Market Performance: eBay’s robust marketplace transaction fees have driven its revenue, which was $9.567 billion in 2017, reflecting its continued growth and market presence.
• Quirky Items: eBay has been a venue for selling quirky items, such as a grilled cheese sandwich with the face of Virgin Mary and Justin Timberlake’s half-eaten sandwich, indicating the platform’s broad appeal and the eclectic nature of its listings.
• What is the most expensive item ever sold on eBay? The most expensive item ever sold on eBay is the Gigayacht, purchased by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for $168 million.
• How much did the lunch with Warren Buffett sell for on eBay? In 2010, an anonymous bidder paid $2.6 million for lunch with Warren Buffett.
• What are some unique items that have been sold on eBay? Unique items sold on eBay include Ian Usher’s life, the town of Bridgeville, CA, and a grilled cheese sandwich with the face of Virgin Mary.
• What makes eBay a popular platform for selling high-value items? eBay’s extensive reach, user-friendly interface, and robust marketplace transaction system make it a popular platform for selling high-value and unique items.
• How does eBay generate most of its revenue? eBay generates most of its revenue through marketplace transaction fees.
• What was the price of Shoeless Joe Jackson’s baseball bat sold on eBay? Shoeless Joe Jackson’s baseball bat sold for $577,610 on eBay.
• Which item on eBay involved the sale of an entire town? The town of Bridgeville, CA, was sold on eBay for $1.77 million.
• How much did the Ferrari Enzo sell for on eBay? The Ferrari Enzo sold for $1 million on eBay.
• What philanthropic event is associated with eBay’s high-value transactions? Warren Buffett’s annual lunch auction is a philanthropic event associated with high-value transactions on eBay, raising millions for charity.
• What are some examples of quirky items sold on eBay? Examples of quirky items sold on eBay include a grilled cheese sandwich with the face of Virgin Mary and Justin Timberlake’s half-eaten sandwich.
• Who bought the Gulfstream II jet on eBay, and for how much? An Africa-based charter flights firm bought the Gulfstream II jet for $4.9 million on eBay.
• Why is the Gigayacht considered a good deal for Roman Abramovich? Roman Abramovich bought the Gigayacht for $168 million, which is less than its manufacturer’s price of $196.5 million, making it a good deal.

By Nestor Gilbert

Nestor Gilbert is a senior B2B and SaaS analyst and a core contributor at FinancesOnline for over 5 years. With his experience in software development and extensive knowledge of SaaS management, he writes mostly about emerging B2B technologies and their impact on the current business landscape. However, he also provides in-depth reviews on a wide range of software solutions to help businesses find suitable options for them. Through his work, he aims to help companies develop a more tech-forward approach to their operations and overcome their SaaS-related challenges.

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Hi I'm an actual entry level home depot employee, do not enter our stores we aint giving all that bubble wrap. good luck though with shipping that yacht, i think fed ex can help with that.

Wasn't there a DC comic #1 Superman that sold in the millions?

ok, he actually bought it, but....how do I bring this over to the USPS office, and where do i get so much bubble wrap!? also where the heck can i grab a 40ftx20ft shipping label !!??

Hi, I have considered your request about the bubble rap and I have come up with this solution. If it isn't too tricky, you can go to each and every one of our 2,200 stores across the US and all you have to do is kindly ask one of our helpful staff members if you could buy our entire stock of XXL bubble rap. Our staff member will then kindly give you what you have requested. Just repeat this another 1,199 times and you should get just the right amount of bubble rap you will need.

From, Home Depot - Employee

*I would recommend that you rent one of our trailers and borrow a friend as the load may not fit in your car.*

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In This Article:

According to BusinessOfApps, 18.3 million sellers on eBay generated $9.7 billion in revenue in 2022.

If you’re hoping to join the online auction gold rush, you have plenty of inspiration to draw from. The biggest auctions in the platform’s history have brought in millions — and if you can imagine it, people have sold it. Sellers have earned six-figure sums by auctioning everything from rare sports memorabilia and helicopters to supercars and motorhomes.

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But the items that have commanded truly royal ransoms prove that you can sell absolutely anything online — as long as you can find a willing buyer. Here’s a look at the weirdest, wildest and most expensive things ever sold on eBay, with some tips on how you can become tomorrow’s next headline-grabbing seller .

A 405-Foot Gigayacht

Price: $168 million

Gargantuan even compared to megayachts and superyachts, gigayachts are custom-built vessels that measure over 220 feet long. Although these floating skyscrapers are the undisputed kings of maritime luxury, you don’t need any special connections to buy one — just an internet connection and, of course, the cash.

In 2006, Forbes reported on speculation that billionaire Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was the buyer who purchased a 405-foot gigayacht on eBay for $165 million.

More than 17 years later, it remains the most expensive thing ever sold on the online auction site.

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A Gulfstream II Business Jet

Price: $4.9 million

Five years before the nine-figure yacht changed hands on eBay, another plaything of the ultra-rich set the record for the most expensive item ever sold on the world’s top auction site: In 2001, a buyer plunked down just shy of $5 million for a Gulfstream II business jet from Tyler Jet.

If you dream of owning a private plane but you’re a little light on cash, you can score a desktop scale model Gulfstream II for $500 plus $30 shipping on eBay.

A Business Meeting With the Oracle of Omaha

Price: $4.57 million

The annual eBay GLIDE charity auction has raised more than $30 million, and its biggest haul came from selling a sit-down with history’s most successful investor. In 2019, the gavel fell on a record-setting $4,567,888 bid for a power lunch with Warren Buffett.

The big winner was Justin Sun, who founded the blockchain platform TRON and was the CEO of the p2p streaming platform BitTorrent at the time. Sun and seven guests enjoyed face time with Buffett at New York City’s Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse.

Take Our Poll: What Kind of Money Advice Would You Most Trust From a Celebrity Expert Such as Warren Buffett, Mark Cuban or Suze Orman?

A Texas Ghost Town

Price: $3.8 million

In 2007, a buyer from Italy placed the winning bid for the 13-acre town of Albert, Texas. Located roughly 60 miles north of San Antonio, the town has no residents, but a tavern converted from a general store is open on weekends.

Among the town’s peach and pecan orchards is a three-bedroom house no one lives in, a tractor shed, a pavilion and an 85-year-old dance hall.

Albert remains a ghost town, but the dance hall is open for business with music acts booked through the summer.

A Chalet With an Indestructible Bunker

Price: $2.1 million

In 2022, real estate developers Gregory Gibbons and Bruce Francisco listed a very special home in the Adirondack Mountains in New York for sale on eBay. It was built on the site of a decommissioned Atlas-F missile silo designed by the U.S. government in 1959 to withstand a direct hit from a nuclear blast.

Above ground is a sprawling chalet that sits above a self-contained two-story luxury home remodeled from the former Launch Control Center, which contains 20,000 square feet of usable space that descends 14 stories below ground.

The pair had hoped to walk away with $25 million but had to settle for the $2.1 million minimum asking price.

How To Get Top Dollar on eBay

Do you have an old missile silo or gigayacht that you’re looking to offload on eBay? If so, your selling strategy will have a lot to do with how much you make at auction.

According to GoDaddy, success starts with comparison pricing — what are other people asking for their ghost towns and Gulfstreams? You also have to optimize your listing for search by filling out your descriptions thoroughly and accurately.

But photos are arguably the most important ingredient.

Don’t take stock photos. Always upload in the appropriate dimensions, capture multiple angles and use Instagram-style photos to personalize the product.

Set a listing schedule and establish trust by providing information about yourself and your store, displaying customer testimonials and reviews and by being honest about any blemishes or defects. Finally, always offer free shipping and free 30-day returns.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 5 Insane Things That Have Sold on eBay: How You Can Make Money, Too

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Brandi glanville left with $70,000 bill after treating rare parasite, what dwayne johnson's real estate portfolio says about his success, quick links, 10) ian usher's 'life' - $309,292, 9) shoeless joe jackson's baseball bat - $577,610, 8) ferrari enzo - $1 million, 7) honus wagner baseball card - $1.1 million, 6) the town of bridgeville, ca - $1.77 million, 5) house with a war-proof bunker - $2.1 million, 4) the town of albert, tx - $2.5 millon, 3) lunch with warren buffett - $2.6 million, 2) gulfstream ii - $4.9 million, 1) gigayacht - $168 million.

When someone wants to get money for their old iPhone or a used textbook, eBay is the place to go. The multinational auction-style website lets users put their possessions up for auction or make bids on other sellers' items, all with the simple click of a button. Founded in 1995, and based out of San Jose, California, eBay has grown into a multi billion dollar business that functions in over 30 countries worldwide.

Although most bids are pretty modest and go towards everyday items, there's some that have taken eBay to a whole new level, selling for up to several million dollars. Check out which items earned the highest 10 bids in the history of eBay.

via mirror.co.uk

Forty-four-year-old, Ian Usher posted his life for sale on eBay in 2008, and sold it for a final bid of $309,292. Usher took this unconventional way to start over fresh, getting rid of his house, car, jetski and even his job, along with all his other possessions. The Australian hit the breaking point after going through a divorce with his wife and wanted to get rid of his life as he knew it. After handing his life over to an unknown buyer, Usher walked off with the clothes on his back, his passport and wallet. He wrote on his website for the project, alife4sale.com, "I am still not sure whether this is inspired madness, complete foolishness, or just some sort of mid-life crisis." Regardless of what it was, Usher's decision put his life at the tenth highest sale on eBay of all time.

via notinhalloffame.com

A baseball player in the early 20th century, Shoeless Joe earned his nickname at a game in South Carolina, when his new shoes were giving him such bad blisters, he took them off and ran the bases in his stocking feet. He's most well known, however, for the Black Sox scandal, in which he and the other White Sox players were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series for a bribe. Shoeless Joe made the news again in 2001, when his baseball bat, named 'Black Betsy,' was sold on eBay for $577,610. The 36 inch bat, which was made out of hickory and stained black with tobacco, was posted for sale by his nephew who must have needed the extra cash. The eBay sale of Black Betsy was not only one of the highest sales on eBay, but also the highest sold baseball bat in history.

via ridelust.com

The Enzo Ferrari supercar is not only one of the coolest sport cars on the market, but also the rarest. With only 399 of them in existence, this hot red car is a coveted novelty for high speed adrenaline junkies with a thick wallet. So, when this Enzo Ferrari went up for sale on eBay in 2004, the bids got higher and higher. The winning bidder from Switzerland, won with just a $55 edge, for a total bid of $1 million. The eBay sale made this particular Enzo Ferrari the highest sale ever in Europe from an online auction site.

via nydailynews.com

Baseball must be popular with eBay users, because this baseball card of Pittsburgh Pirates', Honus Wagner from the early 20th century, sold for a whooping $1.1 million. Shortstop Honus Wagner was inducted into the Hall of Fame, alongside Babe Ruth , after taking the Pirates to the World Series, twice. The American Tobacco Company began printing Wagner on the baseball cards they sold in cigarette packets, but Wagner himself protested the cards and forced them to stop production. Consequently, only 200 Wagner cards were distributed to the public, making it one of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards ever. So, when a Wagner card popped up on eBay in 2000, baseball enthusiast, Brian Seigel took the opportunity and snatched it up for $1.1 million.

via omicrono.com

A car might seem like a rather large item to be sold online, but it's nothing compared to this. The 83-acre town may be small with just 8 houses, a post office, a cafe and only 30 residents, but that didn't stop the privately-owned town of Bridgeville, CA to be auctioned off on eBay. The Lapple family had purchased the town in 1973, but decided in 2002, it was time to move on. They advertised Bridgeville on eBay as a "private retreat, basking in the glory of the redwoods... with the potential for generating a large cash flow.” The final bid for the town was $1.77 million, and the eBay auction winner was planning on making over the town. However, he decided it was too much work and sold the town again, just a few years later.

Realtors Gregory Gibbons and Bruce Francisco bought up an old missile base solo, with the idea of converting it into an underground safe space, with an overground home on top. Located in the Adirondack Mountains in the upstate of New York, the project was started by Gibbons and Francisco in the wake of 9/11, so they thought a safe home would be in demand for a lot of wealthy families. Although they valued the finished house and bunker at $18 million, they sold it on eBay for just $2.1 million. With mountain views from every window in the upstairs home and an entire upscale living space in the bunker, the apocalypse-proof home fortunately has yet to prove its functionality.

via blogspot.com

In the shadow of Bridgeville's sale, Albert, TX was put up for auction on eBay, in 2003. An insurance broker named Bobby Cave scooped up the town for only $216,000 and then resold it on eBay a few years later, for $2.5 million. Talk about flipping a town! With a population of five, Albert is known for its history, having been a stop on the Fredericksburg -Blanco stage route and later the President's Ranch Trail. Cave worked to preserve that history and generate visitors by building a tavern where the general store had once been, along with other renovations.

via:www.nydailynews.com

Every year, business magnate Warren Buffett hosts a lunch that raises money for a San Francisco church whose mission is to feed the hungry. It's usually one of the most expensive items on eBay but in 2010, it sold for even more than usual, when an anonymous bidder paid $2.6 million. Although the bid was also an extremely generous donation to charity, we hope that Buffett gave the winner some top-tier investment advice, so he or she could really get their money's worth from the luncheon.

via c74.net

In 2001, Tyler Jet, a business plane vendor, put one of its Gulfstream II airplanes up for auction on eBay. The luxurious private jet seats 12 and was featured on eBay's 'then-new aviation' section. When a charter-based African company won the jet with a $4.9 million bid, the Gulfstream II became not only the most expensive sale on eBay, but also the highest sale to ever be made over the internet.

via wikimedia.org

The most expensive item sold on eBay to date is a Frank Mulder designed Gigayacht, which auctioned off for an incredible $168 million, in 2006. The yacht was purchased by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich who rose to fame and riches by owning the investment company, Millhouse LLC and the Chelsea Football Club. At 405 feet long, his new ginormous yacht includes two VIP suites, a children's cabin, guest cabins, a gym, movie theater, spa, elevator and helicopter pad. We're not sure why the yacht's manufactures chose to sell it on eBay, but because of their decision and Abramovich's bid, history was made.

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The 25 Most Expensive Things Ever Sold on eBay

by twistedsifter

To celebrate their 25th anniversary, eBay has published a four-part series that takes a look at shopping over the last quarter century on their marketplace. In the inforgraphic below, eBay shares the 25 most expensive things ever sold on their marketplace.

From a $168 million Gigayacht to a Magic The Gathering ‘Black Lotus’ Card for $250,000, these are the most expensive sales ever on the site.

Since the infographic was light on any actual information about the item or listing, I’ve added a few tidbits below for your enjoyment.

You can also take a look at the other 3 parts in the 25th anniversary series: 25 Most Iconic Moments , 25 Years of Collecting , and 25 Years of Passions and Interests .

The Gigayacht Sold for $168 Million USD

The most expensive item ever sold on eBay was a 405-ft megayacht designed by Frank Mulder. It was purchased for a staggering $168 million USD by Russian billionaire and oligarch, Roman Abramovich.

Features include: 3,000 sq. ft. master suite on the main deck, 10 multilevel VIP suites with panoramic windows, eight guest rooms, a children’s cabin, a gym, office area, movie theater, spa, retractable glass elevator, a jetstream swimming pool, a movie theater and a helicopter pad.

Lunch with Warren Buffett Sold for $4,567,888 USD

For $4,567,888, a lunch with the Oracle of Omaha was auctioned off on eBay to benefit GLIDE, a nonprofit that provides programs and services to those in need in San Francisco, California. This was the most expensive purchase in 2019 according to eBay, and also served as the most expensive charity purchase ever on the site.

Justin Sun, founder of blockchain platform TRON, purchased the lunch with Buffett.

The Town of Albert, Texas Sold for $2.5 Million USD

Located roughly 100 km (62 miles) outside of San Antonio, Albert is a 13-acre ghost town that once had a population of 50 in 1925. The town was sold on eBay in 2007 and features an icehouse created from the frame of the old general store, a pavilion, an 85-year-old dance hall, a tractor shed and a three-bedroom house, together with peach and pecan orchards.

Albert dates to the late 1800s and originally qualified as a town because it used to have a post office.

All Star Comics #8 Sold for $936,223 USD

Originally sold for $0.10 in 1941, All Star Comics #8 was sold in 2017 for a staggering $936,223 USD. The comic is notable because it contains the first appearance of Wonder Woman, as well as her origin story.

With a 9.4 CGC grade, it’s the highest Certified Guaranty Company-graded copy of this issue known, with the closest competition rated at 9.0, which was good enough to earn $411,001 at auction in 2016.

Elvis Presley’s Baby Grand Piano Sold for $375,190 USD

Elvis Presley’s 1912 Wm. Knab & Co. white baby grand piano was sold in 2017 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of his death. The historic piano has been played and recorded on by musical legends for almost a century, starting with Duke Ellington in the 1930’s. Upon purchasing it in 1957, Elvis had it refinished to his personal specifications, then kept it in his home where it was used frequently for personal practice, performances and jam sessions for years to come.

A portion of the proceeds from the piano were donated to benefit the Starkey Hearing Foundation, providing hearing aids to children and people in need around the world.

Black Lotus Magic Card Sold for $250,000 USD

Earlier this year, the most expensive Magic: The Gathering card ever was sold on eBay. It was a mint condition Black Lotus from the limited-edition Alpha set, was was the very first printing of Magic cards ever made.

The card itself also received the highest possible grading from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA 10). The last similar sale on eBay was for a PSA 9.5 Black Lotus that fetched $200,000 USD.

Categories: BEST OF , HISTORY , LISTS , STORIES Tags: · auto , boats , cards , collectibles , comics , ebay , helicopter , infographic , most , opulence , top , vehicles , visualizations , world record

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Did the sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich actually buy a $170 million superyacht from eBay? The 405 feet long vessel was to have a master suite bigger than an NYC penthouse, a retractable glass elevator, a children’s cabin, and a swimming pool.

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Gigayacht by Frank Mulder

Published June 18, 2008 · Updated January 11, 2014

The Frank Mulder Gigayacht is claimed by many to be the most expensive item ever sold on eBay for an eye-popping, purchase price of $168,000,000.

The Gigayacht was designed by Naval architect Frank Mulder of Mulder Design.

Now, a Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich owns this beauty. The ultra-luxury yacht boasts of luxurious master suite on deck that features luxury office area, salon, cinema room, fitness room, two person cabin for children, body guards.

The stunning yacht also features helicopter garage in the bow with retractable elevator, two fabulous multi-level VIP Suites with panoramic windows, sixteen luxurious oversized guest cabins.

Tags: Gigayacht Gigayacht Frank Mulder highest eBay auction luxury yacht Mulder Design Naval architect Frank Mulder Roman Abramovich Roman Abramovich Gigayacht Russian billionaire

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