Request Media Kit

eBay Gives $1000 to Dad Whose Toddler Accidentally Bought a Car, Wins Today’s PR Trophy

We all know it’s dangerous to give your toddler your smartphone. Beyond the chance that they may just hurl it against a wall or something, you have to assume that all of that random button pushi...
eBay Gives $1000 to Dad Whose Toddler Accidentally Bought a Car, Wins Today’s PR Trophy
Written by Josh Wolford
  • We all know it’s dangerous to give your toddler your smartphone. Beyond the chance that they may just hurl it against a wall or something, you have to assume that all of that random button pushing is going to result in something unwanted.

    Like an old car, maybe? That’s exactly what happened to Paul Stoute. His 14-month-old daughter, Sorella, accidentally purchased a 1962 Austin Healey Sprite with his eBay app. Total cost: $202.50.

    According to KOIN-TV, the Portland, Oregon family is planning on keeping the car. It’s in pretty rough shape ($202.50, so of course) and will take a lot of work to get road-ready. Mr. Stoute says that maybe he’ll fix it up and give it to Sorella for her 16th birthday.

    Cool dad, right?

    “She decided to open the eBay app, and started clicking around and one thing led to another and we own a car,” said Stoute.“I’ve done a lot of body work in the past, like bondo and stuff like that. But this is another realm altogether.”

    Well, it looks like he’s getting a little bit of help – from eBay themselves. The company has pledged to give the family $1000 in gift cards, along with a restoration guide and a toy car for Sorella.

    “We sell more than 11,000 vehicles each week around the world via eBay mobile, but some of those purchases have more unique stories behind them than others,” says eBay. “We plan to stay in touch with Paul and lend our expertise whenever possible.”

    Get the WebProNews newsletter
    delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit