markgalloway.com

If you happen to be a customer of by Columbia Gas or Dominion East Ohio - divisions of MX Energy in Ohio, you may be interested in knowing that it’s now possible to bid on your gas bill on eBay. Basically the way their eBay auctions  (CG listing) or (DEO listing) work is that bidders are given a chance to bid to lock in their rate for 12 months.

If the final bid amount exceeds the existing rates, they will donate the rest to charity.

I think my favorite part of their information page is this section:

Why is MXenergy using eBay to auction natural gas?
Deregulation allowed consumers the opportunity to purchase their natural gas supply in a whole new way. MXenergy is a leader in providing innovative plans that help consumers control their energy bills. This auction highlights our “out-of-the-box” approach to natural gas. We offer the price protection of fixed rate plans, competitive market based variable rate plans and other programs that empower consumers to make their best energy decisions.

Here’s one more great example of how a free market economy works.  As an auctioneer, I love the way auctions set the value of goods by allowing the market to work naturally.  Today, as we watch politicians figure out how to control our free market, without destroying it with excessive regulation, I’m happy to see this eBay listing because it reminds me that you really can sell anything on eBay.

Maybe instead of a $700 billion dollar bailout, the government ought to just force the culprits to put it all on eBay!  What’s the final value fee on $700 billion anyway?

via AuctionBytes