False bids hit lovelorn Australian's auction of life

Sydney - A man's life - complete with house, friends and job - had garnered a top bid of 386,100 Australian dollars (368,258 US) as of Wednesday after he put all the trappings of his previous existence up for sale on the auction website eBay.

Trying to make a fresh start in life after a failed marriage, Ian Usher, 44, from the southern Perth suburb of Wellard, decided to auction his entire life in one package called "ALife4Sale" on eBay, wanting to retain only his passport, wallet and the clothes on his back.

However, within 24 hours of the bidding opening Sunday, it appeared he had gone from rags to riches after receiving bids of up to 2 million Australian dollars, but many turned out to be bogus.

"It was quite exciting to think, 'Hey, I might be a millionaire,' ... but I'm a fairly realistic person," Usher told Australia's AAP news agency. "I know there are a lot of idiots out there."

A spokeswoman for eBay confirmed that Usher had made arrangements with the auction website for registered-only bidding but added that it appeared not to have worked.

"It's a bit disappointing, but I'm now apologising to the pre-registered bidders and saying sorry it got out of hand," Usher told AAP. "It doesn't matter really. All I'm keen on doing really is moving on. ... It's never been about making a million dollars."

While his former lover didn't go under the hammer, Usher put his three-bedroom house and its contents on the site along with his car, motorcycle, jet ski and skydiving gear.

For good measure, Usher, who arrived from England six years ago, threw in a circle of friends and his old job in a carpet warehouse.

The auction is running until Sunday, when he hopes to leave Perth with a wad of cash.

Usher, who split from wife, Laura, last year after five years of marriage, has the support of his employer and his circle of friends. They promise to help settle in the successful bidder.

Carpet shop owner Jenny Jones has agreed to give the winner a two-week trial with a view to a permanent job. (dpa)

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