Jet plane, back again

February 3, 2007

This post was written in February 2007; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

The Alaskan state jet is on eBay for a fourth time. With the third round of bidding ending at just US$1.7m (the second round ended at US$2m), we think the governor’s office is going to be lucky ever to make their reserve of $2.5m.

It’s a lesson all eBay sellers have to learn at some point or other: sometimes, your stock just won’t sell for the price you want. If you’ve really done all you can do (and international press coverage probably *is* all you can do) to sell the item, reduce the price, clear your stockroom, free up some cash and move on to the next thing. Profit is made when you *buy*, not when you sell, and spending US$2.7m on a jet in the first place was probably not a very good idea.

Written by Sue Bailey · Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

Third time lucky for Alaskan jet?

January 18, 2007

This post was written in January 2007; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

eBay’s most infamous unsold item, the state jet of the Governor of Alaska, is back up for sale on eBay. This will be the third time of asking for the poor, unloved plane: both listings previously failed to make their reserve.

Written by Sue Bailey · Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

Reserve not met on Alaskan state jet

January 9, 2007

This post was written in January 2007; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

A second round of bidding has still failed to find a bidder for Alaska’s state jet. Officials are now saying that they may turn to a broker to sell the plane instead.

It’s interesting that now, the Governor’s office are revealing that they need “about two and a half million dollars to break even” on the aircraft. When the plane was first relisted, a spokesperson resolutely refused to reveal the reserve, though did state that the plane had cost US$2.6m. Frankly, I think they’re being optimistic to think they can break even on a second-hand jet, and should take their highest bidder’s offer.

But the real moral of the story is that hidden reserves don’t help anyone. eBay buyers like transparency, so if you want US$2.5m for your old jet, it’s probably best to say so.

Written by Sue Bailey · Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off