Australian mother-of-five sold her rare Coles Stikeez for more than $20,000

A single mother-of-five who sold her rare Coles Stikeez for $20,100 on eBay says she wants to use the money to pay for her two sons’ school excursion.

The Australian woman – who has been struggling to make ends meet – said she decided to list the ‘Golden Billy Banana’ on eBay at a starting bid of $10. She owns one of just 100 in existence. 

But just seven days later, the listing unexpectedly soared to more than a staggering $20,000 following 65 bids.

Despite the impressive five-figure sum, the mother said she wasn’t convinced the highest bidder was serious about their offer.

‘The auction finished on $20,100 but it would have just been people having a laugh so I don’t expect to receive a cent to be honest,’ she said.

‘I was hoping for $100 to send my sons on their year five excursion.’

A single mother-of-five whose rare Coles Stikeez sold for $20,100 on eBay has revealed how she wanted to make a quick buck just so she could afford to pay for her kids’ school excursion

The Australian woman - who has been struggling to make ends meet - said she decided to list the 'Golden Billy Banana' on eBay at a starting bid of $10 after she was one of 100 people to find the rare collectable item

The Australian woman – who has been struggling to make ends meet – said she decided to list the ‘Golden Billy Banana’ on eBay at a starting bid of $10 after she was one of 100 people to find the rare collectable item

When eBay users retract a bid? 

A bid is a binding contract that’s active until an auction-style listing ends or you’re outbid. 

You can only retract a bid if the seller significantly changed the description of the item or if you accidentally bid the wrong amount. Retracting a bid for any other reason is considered an invalid bid retraction.

But when the bidding went beyond her expectations, the excited family started thinking about what they could get with the money after recently moving interstate.

‘When it started getting higher and higher, the kids and I got excited about a car,’ the mother said.

‘But then it just got too high, I knew I was a joke. If I did dare dream about $20,000, I would get a car and bedroom furniture for the kids.  

‘I’m a single mum-of-five so the money would be awesome to buy us a reliable car.’

The listing ended on Wednesday evening – but the mother is yet to hear from the highest bidder.

‘No word from the winner yet. I’ll message them in a day or two,’ she said.

The mother said she initially didn’t know the Golden Billy Banana was rare until she saw what people were earning on eBay.

‘I had no idea what it was when we got it my kids opened it then I searched a bit and found out people were paying for it,’ she said.

According to eBay’s policy, a bid is a binding contract that’s active until an auction-style listing ends or you’re outbid. 

‘You can only retract a bid if the seller significantly changed the description of the item or if you accidentally bid the wrong amount. Retracting a bid for any other reason is considered an invalid bid retraction,’ eBay states on its website.

Her story comes as Coles shoppers continue to cash in on their rare collectable on eBay, with some going for as much as $7,500.

Coles shoppers are making a sweet profit by cashing in on their rare collectable on eBay for as much as a staggering $7,500

Coles shoppers are making a sweet profit by cashing in on their rare collectable on eBay for as much as a staggering $7,500

The Australian supermarket giant launched 'Stikeez' last month, with 24 mini fruits and vegetables to collect, including the luxurious 'Golden Billy Banana'

The Australian supermarket giant launched ‘Stikeez’ last month, with 24 mini fruits and vegetables to collect, including the luxurious ‘Golden Billy Banana’

The Australian supermarket giant launched ‘Stikeez’ last month, with 24 mini fruits and vegetables to collect, including the luxurious ‘Golden Billy Banana’.

Anyone who finds one of just 100 gold Stikeez gets a $100 Coles Voucher.

But instead of claiming their prize, several savvy investors are making a lucrative business by selling an individual merchandise for a ridiculous four-figure sum.

One customer has listed their shiny metallic item for sale online, with more than 80 people already bidding on the now-$7,499 collectable.

The seller, from Kendall of New South Wales, admitted they had already claimed the gift voucher – but would supply the ‘certificate of authenticity’ to the winning bidder. 

But instead of claiming their prize, several savvy investors are making a lucrative business by selling an individual merchandise for a ridiculous four-figure sum

But instead of claiming their prize, several savvy investors are making a lucrative business by selling an individual merchandise for a ridiculous four-figure sum

Another seller is trying to make a 'quick' buck after their Billy Banana fetched $7,000 as 48 bidders go head-to-head to get their hands on the collectable

Another seller is trying to make a ‘quick’ buck after their Billy Banana fetched $7,000 as 48 bidders go head-to-head to get their hands on the collectable

There are more than 5,500 listings for Stikeez on eBay, including the entire set of the collectables for as much as $500

There are more than 5,500 listings for Stikeez on eBay, including the entire set of the collectables for as much as $500

And they are not the only one making some extra cash. 

Another seller is trying to make a ‘quick’ buck after their Billy Banana fetched $7,000 as 48 bidders go head-to-head to get their hands on the collectable.

Prices range between $300 to $7,500 for an individual Billy Banana.

And there are more than 5,500 listings for Stikeez on eBay, including the entire set of the collectables for as much as $500.

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