Ghost sale heads for place in record book

DAVID HALLETT/The Press

BUSTED: Avie Woodbury's two ghosts, contained in glass vials, were auctioned for $2830.

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An online auction for two "captured ghosts" has tangible spinoffs for Christchurch animals, and will possibly merit a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Christchurch woman Avie Woodbury last week auctioned two vials containing the "ghosts" exorcised from her New Brighton home last year.

The Trade Me sale made headlines around the world and received more than 200,000 views, making it one of the top 10 most popular auctions in the site's history.

The publishers of the 2011 Guinness Book of World Records are also considering entering it as the world record for "most expensive ghosts".

The vials were bought for $2830 by electronic cigarette maker Safer Smoke, which is now conducting an online forum asking what should be done with the ghosts.

Woodbury has donated the money to the SPCA in Christchurch, minus the $120 fee for the exorcist.

She said the national and international attention was "overwhelming and unexpected".

She replied to more than 1000 comments posted on the site, whether they were supportive, sceptical or negative.

"It was so fascinating how many views New Zealanders had. In life you get positive and negative in everything. You've got to take it as it comes, as best you can."

Woodbury said she was not tempted to keep the money as she watched the bids creep up.

"I felt [the money] should go to the SPCA. They need an awning for across the top of the rabbits and guinea pigs. I'm so happy this money will pay for it," she said.

SPCA Canterbury manager Geoff Sutton said staff at the shelter were "very grateful" for the donation.

"We're always trying to upgrade the facilities here, the cats and dogs have had their turns and we needed something for the small animals," Sutton said.

Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said the auction was successful for many reasons.

"For a start, it was just the sheer novelty value or quirkiness. Ghosts are a pretty unusual item," he said.

Ford said it was a "genuine" auction offering two tangible vials, rather than there being nothing physical to sell.

"This was not a PR stunt or a seller taking the mickey," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News