As eBay celebrates 18 years in the Australian market, here are 18 facts about the local eCommerce platform.
1. The first item sold on eBay.com.au was a Harman Kardon amplifier.
2. There are 2923 Australian businesses that have made more than $1 million in sales on ebay.com.au.
3. Australian coins have been the most popular collectable item over the past 18 years.
4. In 2006, someone tried to sell New Zealand for 1 cent.
5. One of the most expensive items ever sold on eBay.com.au was a successful Fish and Chip store based in Gladstone which sold for $110,000.
6. Over the past 18 years, 2 billion hours have been spent on ebay.com.au, which would equate to 228,000 years for one Aussie shopper.
7. In 2014 the last Ford GTF to roll off the production line was sold for $394,000 to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
8. Nearly 90% per cent of Australian SMBs on eBay export globally (compared to 5 per cent of all Australian registered businesses).
9. In 2012, The Wiggles sold their Big Red Car on eBay.com.au for $35,700 raising money for SIDS for kids.
10. A few years ago a Perth man sold his whole life (worldly possessions) including his car, his motorbike and his house.
11. In 2016, bidders fought it out for the Kings Cross Coca-Cola sign. The lowercase ‘C’ in the word ‘Coca,’ sold for $18,700. The total money donated to Wayside Chapel by Coke and eBay was $100,700.
12. The people of Toowoomba have consistently been some of the most active eBay users in Australia over the past 18 years.
13. One lucky fella was paid $17,000 for a patch of dirt from which Jon Aloissi kicked the world cup qualifying goal.
14. In 2010 Powderfinger gave a mid-air performance after their sunset farewell tour sold out immediately raising over $100,000 for charity.
15. NSW is the most patriotic state, with 30% of buyers in the state purchasing local Australian products, followed by Victoria (25 per cent) and Queensland (21 per cent).
16. In 2016, Click and Collect grew dramatically with 800,000 sellers offering more than 4 million items.
17. Victoria and ACT are the biggest night owls staying up even later to shop than the rest of the nation and doing the majority of their shopping between 8pm – 10pm.
18. Between midnight and 1am, ‘Magic: The Gathering’ cards are the highest selling item.