I purchased this book before going on a long trip, thinking that it would be a great, light book to have on the plane and in the hotel room when I had nothing better to do.

I'm not going to bash this book over and over, but I must say that it did not live up to the hype that other, similar books have.

The writing, while somewhat creative, is just simply BORING for me. Yeah, it was interesting to see some of the eBay sellers reactions to the questions, but after a while it was just like "meh, whatever...not funny." One other book, similar to this but what I recommend MUCH, MUCH more is Consumer Joe, but Paul Davidson.

If you get this book for under $5.00, I would say that's not a bad deal. But don't shell out $12.00 like I did for this book, thinking that it would provide pages and pages of comedy and entertainment, because it won't.

Hilarious Book! Had us all laughing hysterically. Stories are skillfuly created in author's mind and it's fascinating to see how one bluff skillfully is intertwined with the next. Great bathroom reading for those who love some fun! Absolutely comical.

I have been a buyer and seller on Ebay for years, so when Letters to Ebay came out I knew it would be a fun read. And like most of my purchases, I was not disappointed. This is a very funny book!

In my opinion, this book is best enjoyed when browsed through. I don't recommend reading cover to cover, although it can be tough to put down; some of the entries are hilarious.

Letters to Ebay reminded me of the old-school radio station pranks that kept me glued to my radio when I was a kid. The stunts that Art Farkas pulls off with his letters to unsuspecting sellers are as funny as some of the best pranks from years ago.

The real question for Mr. Farkas is can he do it again? As a satisfied reader of his first effort, I sure hope so!

If you're looking for something weird, twisted, and hilarious to pass some down time, then pick up a copy of Art Farkas' (pen name of Central Valley eBay enthusiast and author Paul Meadors) Letters to Ebay.

Amazon lists the book's key phrases as "happy bidding," "lint rollers," "deer jerky," and "depression glass" - fitting for this farcical, oftentimes obsessive, exploration of the virtual world of online consumerism.

Letters to Ebay is one of those books that's just plain good to have around when there's a possibility of a few moments down time. The letters/answers are quick reads and can be taken in small doses. Farkas knows how to shape an incredibly ridiculous question with just enough detail and earnest tone to make it believable. And the unsuspecting vendors bite, responding here with good natured sincerity, there with exasperation. The questions - funny; the real-life responses - even funnier!

Keep this book around - it's worth a big laugh a day.

Letters to Ebay: Hilarious Auctions, Crazy Emails, and Bongos for Grandma

This is a very funny book, that is sure to entertain the people who receive it for Christmas.

I have loved this book from the first time I picked it up. Whether I've got two minutes between meetings or a half an hour relaxing on the couch, Letters from Ebay doesn't disappoint. My wife and I can't control our ourbursts of laughter as we read these ridiculous and unbelievable interactions. A "Must Have" for anyone who wants to laugh.

In the vein of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries and John Stewart's joke interviews with all-too-earnest people, Art Farkas reveals just how funny it is when people try really, really, really hard to be taken seriously. Here he dupes greedy online hucksters into voraciously defending the quality of their cheesy offerings. The result? Well, I've got a copy in my bathroom, a copy on my bedside table, and a copy floating somewhere near my "A Mighty Wind" DVD.

The measured responses by the sellers are terrific (you can imagine them proofreading their letters seven times). Even better is Farkas' knack for coming off as being certifiably nuts but preciously innocent; certainly not so threatening that he scares sellers into calling off the sale. However, the crown jewels of this witty collection are the moments in which the sellers end up revealing information about THEMSELVES in response to what they must perceive as a mentally challenged inquirer. It is as if Farkas' letters stimulate the exhibitionism and (truth be told) neediness of many online shoppers. The letter about the heart-shaped locket and Sprinkles the rodeo clown is worth the cost of the book alone and reminds us that greatest comedy emerges from extraordinary coincidence, hints of true pathos, and stuff so real you couldn't make it up.

Mr. Farkas is a comedic genius. His questions to ebay sellers are hilarious...then you read their responses...even funnier! I highly recommend this book for yourself, your spouse, your family, your friends. Heck, I'd even give it out as Christmas gifts at your office party. Thank you, Mr. Farkas, for your wit and charm!

If you like "Letters From a Nut," you will appreciate this book. The author's mischievous wit shines through in each e-mail, and one senses that he received great pleasure when one of the sellers "got it," and joined in the fun. Like David Letterman Top Ten Lists, this book is great fun to read to a loved one, or to pass around at a party.

In the vein of the Darwin Awards, Bad Cat, and the Book of Bunny Suicides, Letters to eBay is not a deep and contemplative book that offers reason and thought on the meaning of life. It is a book about unusual and strange auctions that have been posted on eBay and one man's alter ego responding to them. The result is the perfect book to have lying around one's home, on a coffee table next to the New Yorker, or to take on a trip with you, as I did: a hilarious and entertaining read that you can just pick up and turn to any page.

Art Farkas is not a real person, as you have possibly guessed. The real author behind this book created the pseudonym and fake character one night in August of 2005, when he decided to check out some auctions on eBay. As he looked through friends' auctions, as well as just generally searching others, an alter ego began to develop who would question and challenge and befuddle the claims made by people on their auctions. The result was Art Farkas, "America's top cyber-prankster." Here are some examples:

An auction was listed for a large decorative bird cage, and at the bottom it made the promise to be "worry free." Farkas seizes on this, contacting the auctioneer with a question about whether this will cure his constant worrying of everything: "I worry about simple and great things of the world including whether sippy cups are really safe, the GNP of Hungary, and the number 72." The result is the amusing response from the auctioneer who explains in sincerity that the bird cage will not cure Farkas' problem.

An unusual collector of vintage traps lists a "Large Lucien Legeard trap." The auctioneer explains that while these traps were made illegal in 1904, they are still excellent collector's pieces. Farkas contacts the auctioneer, setting up a story that he and a group of older men engage in a live-action game like the Fugitive, where they are all chasing one man. His question is whether the trap would work well to catch a man and how good of a job it will do. Farkas receives this amusing response that the trap would not work well and that any person could easily break free of it. "The British did have a man trap with double springs and plain jaws. But when these come up for auction they are terrible expensive because of their rarity." As is the problem with all written Internet communication, one is never sure of the meaning and emotion behind a comment, e-mail, or letter. In this case, the auctioneer may well think this story is true, which is just bizarre; or they may see the prank that Farkas is playing on them, choosing to play along.

The result is a collection of responses from people who had pranks played on them and the question is whether they fall for it or not. As the more one reads of the book, the more one feels like after they read the Book of Bunny Suicides; it is an unsettled feeling in their gut, as they know that this just feels wrong. Nevertheless, it really depends on the type of person reading the book. Some who read Letters to eBay will, like me, feel that a lot of innocent people are being conned and tricked; while others will just be LOL (laughing out loud). Ultimately, this book has a little something for everyone.

For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com

Read this book when you have a bad day. Instantly less than one minute, you forget what has happened that makes you so upset.

This book is funny!!!! The author has an amazingly hilarious imagination that he uses masterfully to question eBay sellers about their items up for bid. The unsuspecting sellers deliver various degrees of responses adding to the hilarity of the ploy! This book is a great book to pick up and have some laughs with friends by reading 'out loud' some of the auction items, the author's questions, and the responses from the sellers. I highly recommend this book!

From duct tape to straw hats and Hello Kitty merchandize, Art Farkas has questions about them all. Inspired by his ebay-selling older brother, Art (or Paul Meadors as he's know in real life) took upon himself to write the weirdest and most far-out questions to ebayers about their auctions. This book contains all these auctions, Art's letters to the sellers and their replies.

Art wants to know if a set of bongo drums can be carried by his grandma, or if they'd be too heavy. He wants to know if `Satin Organza' can be used by strict Presbyterians who are of course against `Satin and all his powers', and if a bird feeder can hold liquids so that he can fill it with alcohol and watch the birds get tipsy. The letters vary from the crazy to the simply insane. The amusing thing however, is not his questions as much as the sellers' replies. Very few catch on to him and calls his bluff. The majority tries to answer his questions sensibly, while adhering to the age-old saying "The customer is always right."

While the letters and replies provide great entertainment, they do get a bit repetitious after awhile, as there are only so many questions to ask about similar auctions. I'd therefore recommend readers to just read a couple at a time rather than all at once, to be able to fully savour the wonderful weirdness of them.

Armchair Interviews says: Ah ha, wonderful weirdness. We need more of that.

OK, I admit that I have a touch of ADD. So reading a full length novel can be a little trying. So naturally one of the reasons I love "Letters to eBay" is that you can pick it up and put it down with ease and still be fully engaged and entertained. Art Farkas has a refreshing, unique and intelligent sense of humor that reminds me of my favorite author David Sedaris. If you are a born prankster, a "Crank-Yankers" fan or like humor that falls into the category of Schadenfreude, then this is the book for you!!!