Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

I have been following with interest recently the story of the Australian man who tried to offer a hand drawing of a spider as payment for his utility bill.

Adelaide graphics designer David Thorne apparently owed the (unnamed) company the sum of $233.95. However rather than paying the bill, he tried emailing the company a hand-drawn black and white picture of a spider instead, as full and final payment...

Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards, David.

Unfortunately grumpy Jane from the utility didn't share David's appreciation for original art, and continued to request he submit payment for the overdue bill.

The email exchanges continued over several days, with David admitting along the way that he had made a serious mistake with his original drawing, with the spider having only 7 legs. He apologised to Jane, and sent the company a new drawing with the correct 8 legs...

"I realise with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb omission... but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings.

As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion."

The utility company still wouldn't play ball, but by this time the email exchange had become the subject of a widespread viral email,which led to the 7-legged spider drawing being offered for sale on auction site eBay by a Swedish man.

The drawing attracted 18 bids, reportedly selling for an impressive US$10,000. However, now the winning bidder - one Patrick Munoz of the United States - is refusing to pay up, saying he was "just having a laugh about this".

A spokesman for eBay says the buyer is "obliged to pay because they have entered a legal contract", and the seller could take Munoz to the police for breaking the "contract he made when he won the item"...

"What people decide what they want to pay for items is up to them … it’s a binding contract, even if it’s a picture of a seven-legged spider."

Quite.

* Read the whole email exchange here...
* ninemsn News: 'Spider man' refuses to pay for drawing