Since then, a number of experts have weighed in on the relative benefits and potential pitfalls of a society in which people no longer have to hold up a smartphone to take photos, record events, and search for information while interacting with others. Some of that skepticism has gained traction, but the enthusiasm around the device hasn't waned, as the hysteria over an eBay listing for a pair of Google glasses might suggest. The seller, listed under the moniker "bla7kcat," claims to be one of those selected to purchase Glass under the new "If I Had Glass" program. Black7kcat listed the device on eBay last week. After just one week, the price has jumped from $1,500 at the start to $15,500 as of this writing. Accompanying the auction is a message that indicates that the seller is indeed willing and able to deliver on the promise: "I've been selected as an early adapter for Google's upcoming release. You are buying a brand new unopened pair of Google's Project Glass glasses. I will be personally attending and picking up my pair in either Los Angeles, or New York at Google's Project Glass launch event, which will take place some time after Feburary 27th. As for what colors will actually be available, will vary, if I am offered a choice, I will choose the color of your choice…"
As for Google's part in all this, the contest guidelines don't appear to prohibit reselling of the device. However, there is one line in the contest's guidelines that could prove to trip up the final transaction if Google attempts to figure out the identity of the seller. Google's contest rules state: "Google reserves the right to disqualify you from #ifihadglass if, in Google's sole discretion, it reasonably believes that you have attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of #ifihadglass by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices…"
Whether auctioning off one's Glass device constitutes cheating is open to interpretation. But, based on the exclusive nature of the program, reselling the device seems like something the company would attempt to shut down.
So far, the Glass offer has received 34 bids from interested parties, indicating that, despite the high price, this will likely result in a successful auction. And while the seller has good ratings and reviews on eBay dating as far back as 2009, that data point doesn't necessarily guarantee that the auction will put Glass in the winner bidder's hands. The seller doesn't reveal their identity or what they wrote to be accepted into the program, but whatever the seller actually wrote to win the right to buy the Glass device, it probably wasn't the truth, which would have read: If I had Glass, I'd sell it on eBay.