October 1, 2009

Erase your phones, or else.

The University of Missouri sold 25 phones but failed to erase their memories for $190. The buyer planned to scrape them and sell off their parts. (why didn't Missouri do this...must be nice not having to tighten the belts in these financial times)

According to the Columbia Daily Tribune

One cell phone, a Sprint Treo, belonged to MU basketball Coach Mike Anderson, according to Bellman’s online inventory. Photos of the phone’s screen show text messages between Anderson and MU football Coach Gary Pinkel and Athletics Director Mike Alden. The messages appear to be well wishes for upcoming games and congratulations after victories.

Other phones from assistant coaches and Athletics Department staff have hundreds of contact phone numbers, e-mail messages and text messages.
...
Bellman believes the phones are worth plenty to MU sports fans.

“There’s going to be somebody very interested in this stuff as collectible items,” he said. “I’m looking for that crazy collector who wants to take these phones and read about what happened when it happened.”

Bellman is offering the phones to Columbia and Tigers fans first. If they don’t sell by next Wednesday, the collection will be auctioned off on eBay.

The owner is apparently not discussing the status of the phone sale.

Missouri has since repaired the process for retiring phones, to now include verifying they have been erased.

Comments:

Erase your phones, or else.
The University of Missouri sold 25 phones but failed to erase their memories for $190. The buyer planned to scrape them and sell off their parts. (why didn't Missouri do this...must be nice not having to tighten the belts in these financial times) According to the Columbia Daily Tribune
One cell phone, a Sprint Treo, belonged to MU basketball Coach Mike Anderson, according to Bellman’s online inventory. Photos of the phone’s screen show text messages between Anderson and MU football Coach Gary Pinkel and Athletics Director Mike Alden. The messages appear to be well wishes for upcoming games and congratulations after victories. Other phones from assistant coaches and Athletics Department staff have hundreds of contact phone numbers, e-mail messages and text messages. ... Bellman believes the phones are worth plenty to MU sports fans. “There’s going to be somebody very interested in this stuff as collectible items,” he said. “I’m looking for that crazy collector who wants to take these phones and read about what happened when it happened.” Bellman is offering the phones to Columbia and Tigers fans first. If they don’t sell by next Wednesday, the collection will be auctioned off on eBay.
The owner is apparently not discussing the status of the phone sale. Missouri has since repaired the process for retiring phones, to now include verifying they have been erased.