Bidding wars for memorabilia
COMMONWEALTH Games volunteers have wasted no time in putting their memorabilia, uniforms, pins, lanyards, hats and thank-you gifts up for sale.
Eight ads have popped up on Gumtree in the past 24 hours, while there are 160 on eBay under the search “2018 Commonwealth Games Shaper”.
A handful of ads have a set price attached to them, while others have attracted a bidding war.
Set prices range from $30 to $50 plus postage for a new packaged jacket or shirt.
Surfboard Games Shapers keyrings are on for $10 plus postage, with some ticketed for up to $50.
But the most expensive piece of memorabilia seen is a Games Shaper Surfboard Trophy, on the site for $100.
On Gumtree, some volunteers are simply looking to trade double-up items for some rare pins or other pieces of memorabilia.
“I did not get a chance to get any pins except for the few I received for going to the shifts,” one ad said. “I cannot afford to pay the ridiculous prices on eBay as I am a pensioner and wanted to hand what I can to my grandchildren.
“I would be beyond grateful if you wanted to do a swap or wanted to sell any pins to a worthy home for a reasonable price please.
“I have a full 2018 Commonwealth Games Shapers uniform I am willing to swap for a few 2018 Games pins.”
A GOLDOC spokesman said it was not surprising to see so many ads on these sites.
“The Games Shapers receive many pieces of uniform and it is common at a Games for them to offer select pieces for online sale,” they said.
“Their future use of the uniform is entirely at their own discretion.”