Here is the link:

slave for sale - eBay (item 280216615452 end time Apr-16-08 09:12:14 PDT)

Sad if it's for real, maybe sadder if it isn't.

Interesting...It says you can "return" him in 7 days.

I wonder if he could be used as a handyman. He should have at least listed qualifications. Poor EBay etiquette.

I could always use a good gardner/cook/maid.

I couldn't help myself I just sent a "Question to the Seller" hiding my e-mail ofcourse. I asked if he was for real or what. Told im if he was was just some fool playing a prank using someone else's photo that I hoped his wobbly bits would dry up and fall off.

Awesome!

And, Awesome again...because one is too short. Damn it.

ORIGINAL QUESTION I POSTED:

Dear dirtfan864,

Is this for real? Or is this someone's idea of a bad joke being played at some poor co-worker's expense? If it is real you should check out Lapbandtalk.com we might not be able to help with financing but would love to support you any other way we could. If you are not even the person in the photo but just playing a prank on him then may your wobbly bits dry up and fall off.

- d****ty

THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED:

- d****ty

yes i am for real,last year i had open heart surgery for a defective heart valve,lost my job and insurence,i was 150 pounds over weight then,now im 200 pounds,im getting desperate,seems like the harder i try to loose weight the more i gain,seen people ask to pay for surgery,im not asking for a free handout,willing to work for the surgery and sign a contract,slave for sale is something i thought up to catch peoples eye

- dirtfan864

Shoot, now I feel even more tempted to donate a buck, or at least respond with some encouragement. I know this could still be bogus. But I can remember being nearly as desperate for cash in the past myself. I just never had the guts to follow through and try something like he has.

I'm sure most of you would say reaching out to a stranger like this is completely wrong, especially when we have no way of verifying its accuracy. But then how many of us have caved and given a little spare change to a panhandler or put a little change in one of those collection boxes with the picture of some sick child at the gas station? Part of me would much rather be a fool and not turn my back to someone in real need all becaus of some fear of being burned by a scam artist.

Though I'd like to think I'm not a complete fool. for one I only communicated to him through e-bay with the option to hide my e-mail address. He doesn't know my real e-mail or have any idea where I live and I have no intention of sending him any of that info.

Gh0st, what a great idea you had, and kudos to you for following through. I was so blown away just finding the listing, that I was mentally paralyzed from reading it. The way I found it was that I was looking on eBay for medical alert bracelets/dogtags, ones that specifically come already engraved with "lap band" on them. And then I found his ad.

I had to laugh (and it hurt, because I'm six days out of surgery) when I read the part about "may your wobbly bits..."! But my heart breaks at the same time for this poor man.

It was pulled, anyone care to summarize the listing? I missed it!

his response to ghost's questions make it all the more sad! and i agree with ghost, now i really want to donate a buck or two!

The ad has been pulled. . .Just checked it out

It was a pretty basic listing. It had his photo. (Again assuming it wasn't a joke) and he said he was willing to work or "be someone's slave" in return for money to help pay for weight loss surgery. Bypass or the band.

I just sent this last e-bay message to him:

I'm sorry for my earlier question. I was afraid the auction was someone's cruel idea of a joke on you.

I don't have the $$ to help pay for surgery but wanted to show my support. I was banded in 05 and would love to help someoneelse afford the surgery, however, as it is I am saving coupons & selling items on e-bay just to afford milk and gas these days.

But seriously, check out Lapbandtalk.com its a great place for info. There are threads discussing ins. issues & other ways of paying for it. Check it out, start your own thread. If you title it "I was desperate enough to try to sell myself on E-Bay" I'm sure you would get many responses. (There is already a thread over there about your auction, you could also find it & post you were the person who listed it)

- Also I heard after I had my surgery that part time Starbuck employees have a health ins. I paid f/mine with 0% intro rate CC. I'm paying it off w/savings from lower grocery bills.

- Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Will be interesting to see if he actually comes over here to LBT.

I hope he does.

The gentleman has indeed joined LBT. Lets give him as much support and advice as we can.

I saw his thread, but just ran across this to even know what everyone was talking about e-bay on the other. I really do feel for the guy. If it weren't for DH's insurance, I know I couldn't afford surgery.

I'm very skeptical about the whole deal. I've known a few truck drivers who had quadruple bypasses and didn't have trouble getting a job.

If you can pass the DOT physical, you can get a job.

Bob, truck driver of 14 years.