Family sells it all on eBay... with a surprise ending

Staring down a mountain of bills, mortgage payments, and medical expenses for two chronically ill children, Gregg and Brittiny Peters did what many households have probably threatened to do time and time again: Put everything they own up for bid on eBay in an attempt to raise some much-needed cash.

The Peters sold it all online, everything but their house (they pegged the value of the stuff at about $40,000, including a 2000 Chevy Tahoe), in a bid to get out of debt. The final bid came in at $20,000 when the auction closed on January 29, which is enough money to help cover immediate needs but certainly not enough to let the family retire.

And that's where the twist comes in: The bidders, Donnia and Keith Blair, told the Peters to take the cash... but keep their stuff. As the linked SFGate story notes, "The Peters are perfectly willing to stick by the bargain. But the Blairs — who wouldn't give details on how they can afford to give away $20,000 — won't budge. 'We've really been blessed the last few years and we saw an opportunity to help,' Donnia Blair said."

After begging the Blairs to take their stuff -- the Peters family says they don't want a handout, although their web page is studded with "donate" opportunities -- it appears they're stuck with it all, plus the $20,000 auction payment. The Blairs say they are now exploring donating the for-sale items to various charities... and everybody feels pretty good about it all.

I love a heartwarming story like this, but I also worry about the precedent it sets for other people trying to do the same thing. Last year, Ian Usher attempted to sell his "entire life" on eBay, but even after a crush of hype he failed to earn enough money to cover the value of his home alone, much less the rest of his possessions. Now I feel a little bad for whoever tries this stunt next, which is unlikely to get much press; ridding yourself of everything at half its value is a bad way to pay off the bills... and the next buyer probably isn't going to be as magnanimous as the Blairs.