The Broken Laser Pointer: The Very First Item Sold on eBay

“We are reproducing this curious article with the kind permission of the website SellerSyncPro.com. There is no need to remind our readers how important a place the eBay platform occupies in our lives today. But it is always useful and informative to recall the first steps of today’s largest companies. And perhaps, it is worth considering—maybe your company, in a few years, will take its rightful place among the world’s wealthiest enterprises:

The Very First Item Ever Sold On eBay Was a Broken Laser Pointer

Today, eBay is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, where everything from cars and electronics to jewelry is bought and sold. But its history begins with a rather unexpected transaction: a malfunctioning laser pointer.

In 1995, Silicon Valley programmer Pierre Omidyar launched the site from his home under the original name “Auction Web.” To test his new platform, he decided to list a low-cost item he already had—a broken laser pointer he had bought for $30 to use during presentations. Eventually, he repurposed it as a toy for his cat. When the pointer stopped working a few weeks later, he posted it on the site with a $1 starting price, clearly stating it was broken. Interest slowly grew, and a bidding war ensued, with the final price reaching $14.83.

eBay quickly gained traction and, within two years, rebranded and celebrated its millionth item sold: a Sesame Street jack-in-the-box. Yet it wasn’t until 2015, during the company’s 20th anniversary, that the story of the broken laser pointer resurfaced. Mark Fraser, a Canadian self-described “electronics geek,” revealed himself as eBay’s first customer. Hoping to fix the faulty pointer himself, he bought it despite its condition. Though the repair didn’t succeed, he kept the item for decades and later considered putting it back on eBay to see what it might be worth now.

What is eBay

eBay is a global e-commerce platform that enables individuals and businesses to buy and sell a wide variety of goods and services online. Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar and originally called “Auction Web,” eBay began as a simple online auction site. Its first-ever sale—a broken laser pointer—highlighted the potential for a global marketplace where virtually anything could find a buyer.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, eBay quickly expanded beyond auctions to include fixed-price listings and a wide range of product categories, including electronics, fashion, collectibles, vehicles, and more. The platform operates in over 190 markets worldwide and has millions of active users, making it one of the largest and most influential players in online retail.

One of eBay’s defining features is its user-driven model, where individuals can act as both buyers and sellers. Through features like buyer feedback, seller ratings, and secure payment processing via PayPal (formerly owned by eBay), the platform has cultivated a trusted environment for peer-to-peer commerce.

Today, eBay continues to evolve, integrating AI tools, mobile functionality, and global shipping services to enhance the user experience. Its original vision—connecting people through commerce—remains central to its success.

Links

• Meet the Buyer of the Broken Laser Pointer – Ebay
• Sell your pre-owned gadget online – iGotOffer

Meet the Buyer Behind eBay Founder Pierre Omidyar’s First Ever Sale [Video]

Video uploaded by eBay Inc. Corporate on September 14, 2015.