Within hours of the attacks, profiteers were already logging on to eBay with their ghoulish wares: Debris, pictures of the buildings burning, even the domain name www.worldtradecenterlegalhelp.com were all put on the docket. In response, the site quickly suspended the sale of World Trade Center memorabilia. But it has since lifted the ban (partially; nothing offensive is allowed) for its “Auction for America” fund-raiser, with the stipulation that all proceeds go to charity. Here are some recent sales.
World Trade Center brochure
Face value: free
Sold for: $1,033.88
New York Yankees ticket for September 11 game
Face value: $29
Sold for: $735
New York City snow globe, with Twin Towers
Estimated value: $40
Sold for: $529
6 and 1/2-inch metal World Trade Center
Price at Penn Station gift shop: $39.99
Sold for: $510
Three unused World Trade Center Observatory tickets
Face value: $20.25
Sold for: $599
Unused 4-by-6-inch postcard of Twin Towers
Estimated original price: 50 cents
Sold for: $182.50