Mike Carson discovered eBay in the Autumn of 1998. The online auction site seemed a perfect fit for the types of items he had an interest in himself: fishing lures and NASCAR memorabilia. Selling under the User ID MJCarson9, Mike transacted business successfully on eBay over 8,000 times, eventually moving from selling fishing lures to diecast cars and sports cards.
When Mike Carson passed away on November 14th of this year at the age of 37, he still had auctions running on eBay. His widow, Judy, was left to figure out how to contact over 140 customers who had purchased items from her late husband and were wondering what had happened to them.
"eBay was really Mike's domain," explained Judy Carson, "and he took a lot of pride in his auctions."
Trying to untangle the mess that was left was no easy task. Customers who had sent money via mail and electronic payment services began complaining to eBay and PayPal, who ultimately froze the Carson's account. "I can't do anything with PayPal because the account was frozen," explained Mrs. Carson. "The checks and money orders will be returned to the customers with a note explaining the situation."
Enter the Online Traders Web Alliance (OTWA), a group of online merchants who meet regularly on the OTWA chatboards. After hearing of Mike's passing, there was an almost immediate outpouring of emotion. "We knew Mike had gone through treatments before for Hodgkin's Disease, which resulted in a remission," said Blanche Hearsch, an online seller and OTWA member. "His final post on the OTWA boards was one great big thank you to everyone. After discovering he had died, I cried like a baby."
What ultimately resulted from the OTWA board posts was a decision by many members to begin a series of tribute auctions, with all money collected from the auctions going to Mike Carson's widow and their three young sons. "All of Mike Carson's Tribute auctions will have mjcarson9 in the title and can be searched using that term," explained Ms. Hearsch. "The auctions are up on eBay now, and will be finished on Friday, December 13."
According to eBay spokesperson, Kevin Pursglove, eBay has a history of fundraising events such as this. Many are community-initiated grassroots efforts with donation of proceeds from specific listings going to the recipient.
"eBay does not, as a rule, actively participate in these types of user-initiated promotions," explained Jim Griffith, eBay ambassador. "However, our Customer Support team has always offered the survivors of deceased eBay sellers whatever support and assistance they may need for contacting and completing eBay sales."
Judy Carson was only vaguely acquainted with OTWA and was surprised to get a phone call from a member who explained the idea of the tribute auctions. "I had seen Mike at the computer, chatting with these people, and once or twice looked over his shoulder," she said. "I never expected anything like this. I'm speechless."
All Mike Carson tribute auctions will end on eBay on December 13.
