The Stabcast

Get Herpes From Me

Problem:  Will people place bids in an auction, in hopes to get herpes?

Hypothesis:  I think that people will bid in an auction, where the winner gets herpes.  

Deductive Reasoning:  The easiest way to test this would be to start an auction on eBay.  To ensure that people think this is real, a back story will be created and pictures will be posted.  In order for many people to see this auction, it will last for 5 days, be a featured item in two categories and have a bold listing.  

If the hypothesis is true, there will be bids placed on this item.  

Data Collection and Analysis:  

Here is a copy of the auction as posted on eBay:

(click image for larger version)

Here is a copy of the listing confirmation:

Listing fees

Here are the stats for the auction after 12 hours of being listed:
Current bid: $5.50
Number of bids: 6
Number of visits: 238

Here is an email sent by a bidder:
Question from: frazeecomm
Question: could you send more pictures?

Here are the stats for the auction after 24 hours of being listed:
Current bid: $12.50
Number of bids: 8
Number of visits: 441

Here is an email sent by a bidder:
Question from: hoe666
Question: Hello dear fellow Ebay community member.I’m looking for Gonereea not herpes.Please let me know if anything comes up thanks.

Here is the message displayed after trying to view the auction after 72 hours:
The item you requested (2982174970) is invalid, still pending, or no longer in our database. Please check the number and try again. If this message persists, the item has either not started and is not yet available for viewing, or has expired and is no longer available.

Here is the email from eBay ending the auction:
We regret to inform you that your eBay auction:
2982174970 Get herpes from me
has been ended. All fees associated with this auction have been credited to your account.
The item you have listed does not appear to be consistent with eBay guidelines.
We have determined that your item is inappropriate for listing on eBay.
For information on infringing, prohibited or questionable items, please view:

Future auctions listed that fail to meet our listing guidelines will be ended early and repeated violations may jeopardize your account status. We value you as a member of our community and wish to continue our relationship, so we respectfully ask you to refrain from any violations of the Listing Policies or User Agreement in the future.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Regards,
Customer Support (Trust and Safety Department)
eBay

Derive a Conclusion:  The hypothesis has been confirmed.  While the auction was listed, people did place bids , for a chance to get herpes.