Charitybuzz's offer of a coffee date with Apple CEO Tim Cook may only have entered its third day of bidding, but it has already broken the record for the biggest ever charity auction on the website. With bids totalling more than $295,000, Cook's auction has surpassed the previous record bid of $255,000 — for a chance to spend a day with former US President Bill Clinton — and there are still 18 days left to bid.
It's an extraordinary show of support; Cook's Charitybuzz auction has an estimated value of $50,000, with proceeds benefitting the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. The winning bidder will be allowed to bring one guest, spending between 30 minutes and an hour with Cook at Apple's Cupertino HQ, pending a security screening. Some bidders appear to be using the auction as an opportunity to get some face time with the Apple CEO in order to pitch their businesses (with Clearcrate.com and DealAm.com amongst the bids). With the bidding closing on May 14th, we're left wondering if there's enough demand to push the auction total past the $1 million mark.
Update: As of 10:18AM ET, bidding has risen to $505,000.
Comments
It better be some damn good coffee.
By ken27238 on 04.26.13 7:42am
its just for charity really…
By Arnold Leonardo on 04.26.13 7:44am
Or what? Take back the charity money?
By Dr. Insano on 04.26.13 7:45am
Apple has really great espresso bars at its campus buildings, with espresso brewed in-house. All of the actual coffee on campus, though, comes from one of several Starbucks machines.
By bispymusic on 04.26.13 8:29am
I hate to break it to you, but usually coffee comes from one of several coffee trees or shrubs…
ba-dum tssh!
By the-ed on 04.26.13 8:56am
By wickywills on 04.26.13 9:20am
Sometimes only after being “harvested” by the civet cat. I hear it tastes earthy.
By azulum on 04.26.13 10:09am
:“one of several Starbucks machines.”
They’re not just some Keurig or something of the like, they’re Clovers…
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/16-08/mf_clover?currentPage=all
By Chris Sewell on 04.26.13 9:15am
The T1000 of coffee making machines…
By odaiwai on 04.26.13 11:30am
i’m sure there is a joke about baristas hidden here somewhere..
By Clutterfish on 04.26.13 3:38pm
seriously, there’s another auction for a chance to meet Piers Morgan at a taping of his hit CNN show, Piers Morgan Live in NYC. It’s been up as long as the one for Cook and the highest bid is $0.
By waltbeech on 04.26.13 12:38pm
Now that’s funny!
By ken27238 on 04.26.13 7:54pm
good for charity but in the end it’s just a marketing stunt for both parties. if you want to give to charity then do it without telling the world…
By dlovely1 on 04.26.13 7:51am
Ah well, why not make three parties benefit from it in stead of one? I don’t see the problem in that at all.
By endon on 04.26.13 7:56am
They might not necessarily want to give their money to charity—they just want to meet with Tim
By Wapsi13 on 04.26.13 7:56am
perfect then! This is a stunt that’s channeling funds for charity from entities that wouldn’t have donated otherwise. Regardless of whether Apple or the auction winner gain anything from this stunt is besides the point – fine charity wins for sure.
By alejandrojavier on 04.26.13 8:07am
It is sometimes important to announce a charitable gift. Gates encourages the various billionaires in the giving pledge to make their pledge public, I think to set an example and publicize the goal. Of course one can give anonymously and still get recognition – see ‘The anonymous donor’ episode in Curb your Enthusiasm.
By ydidIdo on 04.26.13 8:23am
thats just a stunt to make yourself feel better.
By Killing_TIme on 04.26.13 8:58am
Oh. So people can say Bill Gates is a saint and Steve Jobs was an asshole?
No way. Dumb internet commenters need to see the charity happen.
By KittenAppreciatorUSA on 04.26.13 10:08am
Then you get criticized for “not donating to charity”.
By parad0x on 04.26.13 10:36am
Maybe you should apply the same kind of restraint that you’re advocating when it comes to posting your usual immature garbage.
By Wizerud on 04.26.13 11:26am
If they didn’t tell the world, how would anyone bid? I’m sorry but I think you misunderstand what an auction is
By hunkpapa on 04.26.13 11:55am
Like Steve Jobs did?
By Ironworker808 on 04.26.13 4:02pm
Good stuff! I wish I had that much to give to charity :)
By anycoloryoulike on 04.26.13 7:52am
The benefits a company will get with Tim Cook’s attention business-wise far outweights the $ 295000. If a your business can afford it, why not.
By Jewell on 04.26.13 8:08am