On this page we catch up with and diagnose the search trends on eBay from the previous week. We get our information by matching the top 20 items spiking daily in search trends from eBay itself with other topics currently being searched on outside the eBay walls.
Top Search Trends: Week ending Friday November 30, 2012
Do you remember the TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation”? The show premiered in 1987, and lasted for seven seasons, longer than any other Star Trek TV show, including the original. The science fiction series followed the adventures of the “next generation” of space explorers to “boldly go where no one has gone before.” Among the cast of characters was a young boy named Wesley, played by actor Wil Wheaton. Reception by fans to this child actor on the iconic Star Trek Enterprise ship was mixed, to say the least. But that didn’t stop the term Wil Wheaton from climbing toward the top of our most-searched list. It turns out people were looking for this Wesley Crusher Trading Card Ruined and Autographed by Wil Wheaton:
It seems hard to understand why this card, which sold yesterday for over $1,000, was so popular, until your read the description, by seller wilwheaton. It is hilarious! We recommend you read the entire listing description yourself, but we particularly love this self-deprecating passage, dedicated to folks who have stumbled across this item:
“Okay, Person On The Internet, here’s what you’re bidding on: a Star Trek trading card of everyone’s favorite ensign (SHUT UP HE WAS THE MOST POPULAR CHARACTER EVER I REJECT YOUR REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN), signed by Wil Wheaton, who is a pretty neat guy. It is ruined and restored exactly as described above and in the accompanying picture. If you want, he’ll even write the name of your choice on it (probably on the back or maybe in small print on the bottom) or draw a bird on it. It won’t be a good bird, because he can’t draw at all, but it will be in a nest and have a beak that really says, “I am such a bird! Look at this beak! It’s two triangles!” The bird may have wings, depending on things, but wings are NOT GUARANTEED.”
We wish Wil well with this auction and those for any other items he chooses to sell on eBay. In the description for this item, he mentions that he has just cleaned out his garage and sifted through its contents (boldly going where no one has gone before), so we’ll be saving him as a favorite seller and see what else surfaces on eBay!
Other top searches this week are more down to earth. We have seen numerous searches for hot tech items for Christmas, including the iPad Mini, the Galaxy Note II, the Microsoft Surface, and the Samsung Galaxy SIII. Read more about the top 25 most popular gadgets of 2012 available over on Mashable.com. Christmas decorations also ranked pretty high on our popular search terms, including nativity sets, LED Christmas lights, and Advent calendars. One mystery search term is for elf costumes, and we suspect that all the shopping mall Santas are getting their little helpers geared up for the holiday photo op season.
Finally, we saw a search for a Ford 1932 Roadster climb to the top of our searches, and head our “most watched auctions” list. A little bit of investigating surfaced this beautiful so-called 1932 Ford Roadster:
The car was built in 2008 by the seller, and is said to have a nice blend of old and new parts in its construction. The seller delves into the details of the car’s construction in the listing, which you will find here. Needless to say, this car would turn heads anywhere. With 25 bids and a current high bid of $44,060, it has definitely garnered the attention of our amazing eBay Motors community.
Selected high-value items listed or sold on eBay this week:
Please note this a sample of high-value items on eBay. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a representative list.
2006 Ford GT 40 gt40 – $214,980
2002 Newmar M-4371 MA Essex – $119,500
2008 Kubota LA1601S M125X w/ Bucket Mint 431 Hrs. Barely Used Farm Tractor – $40,100
1984 International Water Well Drilling Rig – $35,000
Ulyssee Nardin Freak Tourbillon Limited Edition 18K Rose Gold Blue Exotic Strap – $32,000
Six Majestic Viper Bumper Cars Amusement Battery Powered Excellent Condition! – $23,000
Wood Chipper 2005 Morbark – $22,000
PR CHINA 1962 “MEI LAN FANG” – Souvenir Sheet , MNH, TOP QUALITET – $19,200
What a very intresting story! Yes I still watch Star Treck and I love that show! It’s very glueing once you get into it!
I actually like Wesley specially the nice relation he had with his mother Dr Crusher.
Nice to see the actor sems to have become a mature adult.