As the Olympics are just around the corner in the UK, people are already coming up with innovative ways to make money. As most people know, the Olympic flame is toured around various countries in the world before arriving in the host country – this year the U.K. Various torch bearer are chosen based on exceptional contributions to their community, or society in general. The torch is then relayed around the whole country:
The UK Olympic Torch Map
The bearers are given the opportunity to purchase the torches after they finish their leg of the relay at a heavily subsidised price: £295 instead of the £495 that they cost to manufacture. The organisers were critised by some that bearers should have to pay at all; bearers should be allowed to keep a momento of what was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It appears however, that a lot of the British public are not the sentimental type at all – as numerous torches have been appearing on eBay as of late. This actually hit the news, with one fetching upwards of £150,000!!!! yes that it over $225,000 !!!
Sarah Milner – the lady who listed this itemv- was nominated to carry the torch for her involvement in a community gardening project. She is planning to invest all procedes from the sale back into the community project that she supports, but is being heavily criticised by the British public.
What do you think readers? Is it OK for people to sell the Torch? Organisers have said that there is nothing they can or will do about it – but is it morally OK if you plan to invest the procedes in the project? What about if you keep the money to reward yourself for the hard work that you put in?
If you are desperate to get you hands on a torch, they are availble on ‘buy it now’ on eBay for £15,000.
Other Ways People are Making a Fast-Buck
- Selling limited edition coca-cola bottles
During the torch relay, limited edition metallic coke bottles were being handed out. There are currently selling on eBay for around £30! - Selling the flame from the olympic-torch
This is no joke – there is a dude on eBay selling a flame which was lit from the torch while it was in London. You can buy anything from a tea-light candle size to a full on bin fire! - Evicting tenants to rent out flats for 10x the price over summer
This may seem a funny concept, but the reality is that unfortunately this is happening. Landlord are choosing a fast buck over doing what is right. I do not agree with this at all.
eBay Listing for the Olympic Flame
The above really makes me laugh! I will be interested to see if anyone buys one 😀
I have no problem with people selling the torch. It is there’s to do what they want with. And if someone is willing to pay such an absurd price for it, they must really want it. The guy selling the actual flame is funny though.
As for landlords kicking tenants out for a quick buck, that definitely happened here in Vancouver a couple years back. With the crazy prices that landlords could get for 1 month’s rent, it would be tough to avoid the temptation. My boss at the time even paid for his tenants to go on vacation during that month and still made a good profit.
Modest Money recently posted..Early June 2012 Blog Update
That is a much nicer idea that your landlord had…. Good thinking too 🙂
The guy that is selling the flame is either a genius or an idiot… we will see if it works before I judge 😉
savvyscot recently posted..Making Fast Cash from the Olympics
Awe that’s sad people are being kicked out of their places so landlords can charge a higher price. If people are willing to buy silly stuff ebay that’s fine, but kicking people out is wrong!
Budget & the Beach recently posted..Week in Review-6/10/12
Not selling anything – but taking the kids out right now to watch the flame go past. We have a picnic, we have a camera and I have been “bigging this up” for two weeks now.
Kids are so excited they are about to pop – and this memory of a “once in a lifetime” event will cost us nothing. BARGAIN!!
Hope it was good! A lot of my friends have posted pictures / videos on facebook! Looked quite an experience! 🙂
hahaha! Flame from the torch. Some people.
Marissa @ Thirty Six Months recently posted..2 $50 Old Navy Gift Card Giveaway!
Unreal huh 😉
You know there Olympic flame on ebay is a spoof right? Read the blog linked from it….
I have no issue with people selling the torch. It is there’s to do what they need to have with. And if somebody is willing to pay such an absurd price for it, they need to really require it. The guy selling the actual flame is funny although.
As for landlords kicking tenants out for a convenient buck, that certainly happened here in Vancouver a couple years back. With the crazy costs that landlords might possibly get for one month’s rent, it could be tricky to steer clear of the temptation. My boss at the time even paid for his tenants to go on vacation in the course of that month and yet created a superb profit.
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