Ten years in the past on June 11, 2013, an uncommon merchandise appeared on eBay: a miniature go well with of chain mail armor designed for a guinea pig. The whimsical costume, worn by Fortunate, a beady-eyed guinea pig, quickly gained media consideration, propelling the rodent within the humorous outfit right into a viral sensation.
Sean McCoy, an IT specialist, initially purchased the chain mail armor equipment as a option to bond together with his girlfriend, Natasha, a fan of Renaissance-era cosplay. He shortly realized the method—bending and twisting metallic wire—was gradual, laborious, and painful on his fingers.
One night time, whereas listening to music with Natasha, Sean heard the Daft Punk music “Get Fortunate” and sensed the armor he made may maybe serve a larger objective. “I used to be like, Natasha, they’re going to get Fortunate,” he mentioned. “Now we have to guard him!”
Fortunate posed in his armor driving a toy watercraft. Picture supply: Sean McCoy
Sean put the armor on Fortunate and was amused to find the costume made for enjoyable photos— photos that will finally develop into well-known. Tragically, Fortunate died of pure causes every week after the photograph shoot.
One other thought occurred to Sean: why not honor Fortunate, and assist foster guinea pigs, with an eBay for Charity public sale? And that’s what he did, with proceeds from the sale of the armor going to Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, the non-profit group that had entrusted the guinea pig to him.
Earlier than Sean listed the armor on eBay, the rescue, which supplies sanctuary for uncared for guinea pigs, was surviving on donations that hardly coated medical prices to spay and neuter the animals. However Fortunate’s armor, and the oddity of the merchandise, sparked curiosity on eBay, with bids rising quickly into the hundreds of {dollars}.
Fortunate the guinea pig stoically carrying his armor in 2013. Every week later, he handed away. Picture supply: Sean McCoy
The ultimate bid of $24,300 coincided with a cocktail get together, organized by the rescue’s volunteers and attended by varied supporters, to have fun the public sale’s shut. Anticipation was excessive that the ultimate bid would cowl all future medical prices and safe the non-profit’s future.
David Bradford, an IT employee who stored tabs on the public sale through a Fb group, was an skilled eBay person. He sensed one thing was amiss.
“About 5 days into the public sale, it was on NBC, MSNBC. It was in every single place,” David recalled. “It turned a very huge factor and at that time the public sale was round $18,000. That’s after I turned nervous. I’ve executed sufficient enterprise on eBay to know this bidding wasn’t a pure sample.”
David’s suspicions had been confirmed when the profitable bid of $24,300 turned out to be from somebody with no intention of sending the cash. Subsequent bidders additionally reneged on Sean’s public sale. Undeterred, Sean relisted the armor. This time, David emerged because the winner with a bid of $1,200. He later added $800 to make the entire donation $2,000.
Since that point, eBay enacted a coverage which protects sellers whereas sustaining a good and secure market. When a vendor cancels an order as a result of the customer hasn’t paid, the unpaid cancellation is recorded on the customer’s account. Consumers who’ve extreme unpaid cancellations might have limits imposed by a vendor or by eBay, or lose their shopping for privileges.
The second David Bradford (left) accepted Fortunate’s armor from Sean McCoy (proper) on July 11, 2013 close to their properties in Virginia shortly after David received an eBay for Charity public sale. Picture supply: David Bradford
Any disappointment the volunteers had over lacking out on $24,300 was quickly forgotten after David’s donation. In the long run, the auctions marked a lucky turning level for the rescue.
Due to the publicity the eBay public sale garnered, of us from across the nation despatched cash to the rescue to assist pay for medical therapies. The rescue constructed on the donations over time. Now volunteers are now not compelled to dip into their very own pockets for bills like meals and bedding for his or her foster pets.
Most significantly, mentioned Becky Wilson, a long-time volunteer and the rescue’s director, the group has established connections with different guinea pig non-profits throughout the nation.
“We realized there have been different folks on the market serving to guinea pigs,” she mentioned. “We turned a part of a wider neighborhood of helpers.”
David nonetheless cherishes the armor, seeing it as a memento of a novel time in his life. “Ten years in the past I wasn’t married, and I didn’t have youngsters, so I felt that I had the means to assist the rescue,” he defined.
As we speak, David is 46 and has two younger kids. Each Saturday, he takes his youngsters to the pet retailer to have a look at the guinea pigs. Perhaps, in the future, he mentioned, after they’re older, he’ll present his kids the armor. For now, the piece is saved away in its unique field till it returns to glory.
Sean, now 38, is married to Natasha and sells software program. The expertise of taking part in a viral eBay public sale was life-changing, he mentioned. The transaction revealed a expertise for occasion planning for the larger good, abilities Sean now makes use of to hostparties that elevate cash in assist of youarerad.org, which supplies free psychological well being care to at-risk avid gamers. It additionally gave Sean the boldness to run for metropolis council in Fort Collins, Colorado.
As for the Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, they proceed with their mission, contracting with expert surgeons to spay and neuter every rodent, at a fraction of the same old price, earlier than long-term caretakers undertake the animals. The volunteers nonetheless welcome donations to assist extra guinea pigs discover a secure and loving residence.
As for Fortunate the guinea pig, he’ll stay forevermore a beloved web meme.
Be taught extra concerning the Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue and eBay for Charity to learn how you get entangled.
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