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NIU graduate student tries to sell his name on eBay

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(U-WIRE) DEKALB, Ill. - Christopher Schneider had a $1 million plan. The Northern Illinois University graduate student put his name for sale on the popular Internet auction site eBay for $1 million.

What Schneider thought could be his million-dollar break turned out to be against eBay regulations.

According to eBay, the item was not consistent with eBay guidelines. It was inappropriate because there was not a specific item listed for auction. Schneider said eBay removed his auction Monday.

ÅgI come from a working-class background and most certainly reside within the latter class position,Åh Schneider said. ÅgI own nothing, except for myself, and in accordance to the aforementioned, have decided to literally turn my name into a commodity. My primary goal here is to accumulate a sufficient amount of capital to live comfortably, in addition to covering the expense of my graduate school education.Åh

Schneider decided to auction his name on eBay after Comiskey Park sold its name to U.S. Cellular.

ÅgI have received a couple dozen e-mails of people cheering me on,Åh Schneider said. ÅgI also have had a couple of nasty ones calling me an idiot. I definitely have had response.Åh

In an attempt to ridicule corporate America, Schneider auctioned his name for one year and decided if sold, for an additional price, he would tattoo the name of the company or even name his firstborn child after the company.

ÅgThese days it seems as though economic and social policies have been entirely based on decisions made by mega-corporations,Åh Schneider said. ÅgI am very disgusted with all the corporate name changing that has been occurring lately. It seems as though nothing is sacred anymore, and that you really can affix a specified dollar amount to anything, even a name.Åh

The idea to mock corporate America is something Schneider takes seriously, but if someone is willing to pay the rights to change his name, Schneider is more than willing to take the money and agree to the terms.

Schneider doesnÅft think changing his name is a big issue because he believes Americans endorse corporations on a daily basis.

ÅgI really donÅft see what the big deal is because to some extent, we all endorse companies in the clothes we wear, the food we eat and the music we listen to.Åh