Online boo-boo costs eastern Pa. school district thousands in sale of used classroom trailer

Associated Press

Last update: March 5, 2009 - 5:43 AM

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - Officials in one eastern Pennsylvania school district are red-faced after making a costly mistake on eBay.

The East Stroudsburg School District was attempting to sell seven used classroom trailers, but an error in its ad on the online auction site allowed someone to bid and buy one trailer for only a dollar.

The district had purchased the trailers three years ago for about $46,000 each. With transportation and setup costs, the total came to around $60,000.

Officials were expecting to get around $5,000 to $10,000 per trailer on eBay.

District superintendent Rachel Heath says officials tried to back out of the eBay sale but couldn't.

Asked if the remaining trailers will be sold on eBay, Heath says, "No I don't think we will go that route again."

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