Country up for sale in eBAY due to credit crunch

Reprinted from Business Times

11 Oct 2008 , Want to buy Iceland? eBay bidding soars to £10 million (London).

GREAT scenery and wildlife but financial situation in need of repair - collect in person.

Iceland, which is going cap in hand to Russia for a four billion euro (S$8 billion) loan to bail out its failed banks, was offered for sale as a wholesale lot on eBay yesterday.

Bidding started at 99 pence but had reached £10 million (S$25.4 million) by mid-morning yesterday.

Globally renowned singer Bjork was 'not included' in the sale, according to the notice, but there were nonetheless 26 anonymous bidders and 84 bids.

'Located in the mid-Atlantic ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland will provide the winning bidder with a habitable environment, Icelandic horses and admittedly a somewhat sketchy financial situation,' the notice read.

Bidders' questions included: 'Do you offer volcano, earthquake insurance?', 'Is it possible that my payment will be frozen?', and 'Will you accept COD as a form of payment?'

.