Feb 3: The ad said, “Sale is final, no returns or exchanges.”
The listing on the Sale Site attracted 12 bids and the bidding rose to NZD100 (roughly Rs 5,000) in a few hours. Would-be buyers were curious to know more about their could-be husband. Some offered to trade the one they had for John.
An Irish woman listed her husband for sale on an auction site after he left her at home with their two children during the summer holidays to go on a fishing trip.
John McAlister was described as 6’1, 37 years old and a beef farmer on the Trade Me website.
Wife Linda McAlister said that John has had a number of previous owners, but he should remain loyal if he was kept fed and hydrated.
“Still needs some house training, I have neither the time nor the patience at the moment,” the description read.
“As he is a shootin’, and fishin’ sort of fellow it’s not unusual behaviour, but with kids on school holidays and bed times slipping later and later, they are all driving me wild,” Linda, who lives in Rangitīkei, New Zealand, told stuff.co.nz.
John found about the listing from his friends. “I’m just laughing at the whole thing,” he said.
“He was sure he would fetch a pretty penny… he is avidly watching the ad to prove said theory,” Linda added.
The couple got married in 2019 in Ireland, Linda’s homeland. John is Irish on his father’s side.
When someone asked “Any vices?”, Linda replied, “Extremely fond of lengthy pasture and or weather conversations; generally of a Friday evening, involving a sturdy focus on hydration. Also suffers from socks-on-the-floor-its, which I have found to be contagious to younger models and unfortunately reoccurring.”
The bid was removed by Trade Me for breaching terms and conditions.
Trade Me policy and compliance manager, James Ryan, said that it was the first time in recent memory that he had seen someone list their spouse for sale.
“While we love seeing Kiwis having fun, ultimately our priority is ensuring all of our members have a great experience onsite,” he said.
