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Could This Be A Great Way To Raise Funds For Charity On eBay?

by sjkstone
17 replies
I'm always trying to find creative internet marketing strategies. I'm also very humanity centered and wanting to help charities as much as I can give opportunities for others to help.
I was given a mailbox key when I recently moved into this place I'm at now and it didn't work. My roommate is the one who always got the mail. Today I got a copy made and looking at the old "useless" key, I came up with an idea.
I hope you allow me to link this for I'm not getting any money out of it. It's for charity.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/312269662071

It got a few clicks right way but has been still for the last few hours.
What do you think about this technique and how could it be improved or used for other types of internet marketing?

Thanks
Steve
#charity #ebay #funds #great #raise
  • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
    Originally Posted by sjkstone View Post

    I hope you allow me to link this for I'm not getting any money out of it. It's for charity.
    I doubt the charity will get any money, either. One of the single, most ridiculous ideas I have ever seen.

    I suggest deleting this and moving it to the Off-topic section. Not sure it will be approved, there, either.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    I have to agree with OptedIn's post.

    Marketing for a charity is not much different than marketing for a commercial business. You still need things like value and a targeted audience. Here, you're essentially selling something of zero value and hoping someone will buy it because you say the money will go to charity.
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  • Profile picture of the author Obermair
    Second OptedIn's and Gambino's observations. In addition, you are also hoping that the folks looking at the auction believe that you aren't pocketing the money... that is an impossible sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author toydistrict
    Clicked through. Can't believe what I read.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Just go to the charity website -click on the donate button and donate an appropriate amount for the time you've wasted on this idea.



    Were you drinking?
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  • Profile picture of the author Princess Balestra
    Las' place I figure for maxin' out on a charity ticket is EBAY.


    Truth is, nowan gonna buy yr stoopid key -- & Kay shows why.



    Howevah, there's sumthin' DOLLAR LETTER 'bout this could mebbe invite eyeballs an' dollars if'n it were pulled offa EBay an' marketed more creatively as un-USELESS sumplace non-random suckers would mebbe value the concept.
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  • Profile picture of the author sjkstone
    Haaa. I'm laughing at you negativity. But I like the criticism.
    Gives me an idea of where people are at and who reacts to different things.
    Really, though, I was wanting to find a way to create awareness whether they donated or not. And it looks like I did.
    I work with a non for profit that raises funds for bigger charities and Save The Children is one of them. They thought this was an excellent idea and I got a lot of praise for it.
    So I see the difference in groups of people how they react to different things such as this. The ones with compassion for others love the idea.
    The ones who don't leave nasty responses.
    BTW if you didn't see, 100% goes to the charity. eBay makes sure of that.

    Thanks
    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by sjkstone View Post

      Haaa. I'm laughing at you negativity.
      OK. Then we're even. I'm still laughing at how ridiculous this is.
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    • Profile picture of the author toydistrict
      Originally Posted by sjkstone View Post

      ...They thought this was an excellent idea and I got a lot of praise for it...
      Did you show them the description you put up?

      The idea itself may be excellent or not, but adding that kind of description in the listing just takes away the credibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gambino
    Originally Posted by sjkstone View Post

    Haaa. I'm laughing at you negativity. But I like the criticism.
    Gives me an idea of where people are at and who reacts to different things.
    Really, though, I was wanting to find a way to create awareness whether they donated or not. And it looks like I did.
    I work with a non for profit that raises funds for bigger charities and Save The Children is one of them. They thought this was an excellent idea and I got a lot of praise for it.
    So I see the difference in groups of people how they react to different things such as this. The ones with compassion for others love the idea.
    The ones who don't leave nasty responses.
    BTW if you didn't see, 100% goes to the charity. eBay makes sure of that.

    Thanks
    Steve
    That explains why this eBay listing received a ton of bids, went viral, raised a bunch of awareness and probably boosted donations by a ton.

    The results really speak for themselves.
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  • Profile picture of the author sjkstone
    There's no bid because it hasn't reached the type of audience that would appreciate it. The people from the charity already donate so there not going to here. They are the ones who have seen it and you. Duh. Use some common since before you post a smart ass comment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Actually, it's not the worst idea. But I think you need to personalize it.

    For a start, nobody's going to offer a good home to any old anonymous key, so give it a name (Fran-key?).

    Then post pictures of Frankey in various "interesting" situations and locations. Suggest the buyer does the same when it's reposted. Instabook and Pintergram the sucker!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Much bigger fan of philanthropy Sj; sees people as being empowered, and teaches folks freeing principles. Focus there.
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Sorry but the thread you started is not the KEY to Success by any means
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  • Profile picture of the author zeeshan786
    Selling items on eBay is a great way for individuals and organizations to raise funds for charity.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by zeeshan786 View Post

      Selling items on eBay is a great way for individuals and organizations to raise funds for charity.
      I'm putting this gold tidbit in my book.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    I don't know if it is worth your time. At the end of the day it is not a special item. There is nothing more useless key around, I have punch of them in my keychain.

    There are other creative ways to raise money for charity, if you would to invest your time for charity, make sure it would be something that would work.
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