Is eBay The New "Fire" ???

[Robin Hickman]

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GREETINGS !!!



Is eBay the NEW repository for OLD worn out Flags?


U.S. Flag Code

§8. Respect for flag

k. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.


http://cgi.ebay.com/4-5-x-7-American-Flag-Used-Annin-Co-United-States_W0QQitemZ110521177275QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19bb9354bb

eBayItem-110521177275.jpg


This is the SECOND TIME that I've seen U.S. Flags on up for sale/auction on eBay that are in such a condition that they "should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning".

On March 11th, 2010, I bought 11 American Flags (10, plus one Betsy Ross) on eBay thinking I might be able to save a few. Such was NOT the case. Only the Betsy Ross flag was salvageable, and only then for occassional flying.

Somebody on USA-Flag-Site, NAVA1974 I think, asked in a thread somewhere on here about the pattern of destruction of U.S. Flags. That is, where does the "breaking down" of the Flag's material start most often. I've got some Flags that I could take some pictures of to show at least a few different ways that Flags get worn down and worn out.


SIGH . . . . .


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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[PRGringo]

Hard to believe anyone would buy that.....

[NAVA1974]

Hard to believe anyone would buy that.....

"There's a sucker born every minute."
P.T. Barnum

[PRGringo]

If that sells, I am going to have to rethink about how I dispose of my old flags! ............NOT!

[NAVA1974]

If that sells, I am going to have to rethink about how I dispose of my old flags! ............NOT!

If someone DOES buy that worn flag, I wonder if that establishes a value that you can use to claim a Tax Deduction when you "donate" that flag to the Boy Scouts or VFW for their flag-disposal ceremonies?

Nick "Married to a Lawyer" Artimovich

[coasterville]

The only way I could see that being appropriate on eBay is if there was some verifiable history behind the flag. That is either a remnant of 9/11 type destruction, used in battle, that kind of thing.

It doesn't appear at face to be anything of special significance about it.

[Robin Hickman]

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Greetings !


As I said in my first post at the beginning of this thread :

"This is the SECOND TIME that I've seen U.S. Flags on up for sale/auction on eBay that are in such a condition that they "should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning". "


As the title of this thread suggests, I'm wondering if eBay has become the chosen method of "getting rid" of an old, worn-out Flag. (ie. Is eBay The New "Fire" ???)

PRGringo showed proper skepticism when he wrote, "Hard to believe anyone would buy that....."

Nick offered up a P.T. Barnum quote; "There's a sucker born every minute."

All of which made me SO glad that I include the admission in my thread-starting post :

"On March 11th, 2010, I bought 11 American Flags (10, plus one Betsy Ross) on eBay thinking I might be able to save a few. Such was NOT the case. Only the Betsy Ross flag was salvageable, and only then for occassional flying. "

I paid $14.86 (6.50 + 8.36 S&H) for the 11 Flags. Even though the description said, "You are bidding on a lot of 11 used American Flags. 10 have 50 stars, 1 has 13 stars. Most are made by NY-GLO. They all have freyed ends from hard blowing winds some more than others. Some have faded colors. Nylon Fabric.", I knew I was pressing my luck.

Although I suspected that it was more than likely that some, or even most, of them might be "beyond repair", I had hoped that three or four of them might be able to be "rescued". Such was not the case.


Oh, well . . . . .


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA

[Robin Hickman]

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Hey, Nick !


Didn't you write in a post around here somewhere that you were curious about how Flags "break down" (wear out)?


Robin
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[Robin Hickman]

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Hey, Nick !


Didn't you write in a post around here somewhere that you were curious about how Flags start to "break down" (wear out)? Or a question to that effect?


Robin
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[PRGringo]

There are flags that should be repaired and there are those who enjoy giving new life to salvageable flags. But, this particular listing just seemed to be saying "I just want to see if I can sell this!"

As it stands, no one was willing to pay what the seller was asking. I wonder if the price will drop on the relisting.........