eBay
eBay is a global e-commerce platform that connects 183 million active users worldwide, facilitating both consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales. Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, eBay has grown into one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, offering a wide range of items from new and used goods to rare collectibles. Users come to eBay to find unique, one-of-a-kind items across categories like Trading Cards, Art, and Collectibles. With its auction-style listings, fixed-price options, and buyer protection features, eBay has become a pioneer in online commerce, fostering a diverse and passionate global community of collectors, creators, and enthusiasts.
To kick off the project and provide history and context to Buff Monster’s Garbage Pail Kids (GPK) collection ahead of two exclusive product releases on eBay, the company created a video as part of their "Uncommon" series. This video offers valuable background on Buff Monster, setting the stage for the releases that followed. The film focuses on his extensive and nuanced GPK collection, exploring how eBay has been a crucial platform for him to source rare and highly coveted cards, including the elusive "Bukimi Kun" Japanese versions. Buff credits eBay with helping him acquire most of his collection, making it a vital tool for fueling his unrelenting passion for collecting.
Buff’s passion for GPK began in childhood and has evolved over the years, becoming a major inspiration for his artwork. The video emphasizes the ongoing and ever-changing nature of both Buff's collection and his creative process, drawing parallels to the eBay collector community. By focusing on his collection and how it fuels his art, eBay showcases how personal passions can drive creativity. This deep dive into Buff's world helped to connect viewers to the artist and his work on a more personal level, while also setting the stage for the exclusive product releases that followed.
Nicole Colombo, General Manager at eBay, said, "Our collaboration with Buff provides a glimpse into the world of collecting, the dedication behind the hunt for that one special item, and how that passion can permeate other facets of life; in his case, in the form of a vibrant, rich world of ice cream characters." This release celebrates Buff’s artistry while connecting with the collector community that eBay has long fostered.
The first exclusive product release from Buff Monster on eBay featured two key items: a special "Golden Melties" Series 3 trading card pack and a selection of rare archival items from his "Melty Misfits" collection. The "Golden Melties" pack, limited to just 350 editions, included three never-before-seen cards created from the artwork associated with the Golden Tickets found in Series 3. The packs were hot-foil stamped with eBay’s logo and came with a promo card teasing the next exclusive drop. Only 350 packs were made available, making them highly sought-after collector’s items which sold out almost instantly.
In addition to the special packs, Buff Monster released a range of items from his personal archive. The drop included essentials from Series 1, 2, and 3, as well as super-rare items available through auctions. Whether new to collecting or a long-time fan, this eBay release offered both new and die-hard collectors the chance to expand their Melty Misfits collections.
The second exclusive product release from Buff Monster on eBay introduced the Jumbo Melty Misfits, which featured 20 brand-new characters in a larger-than-ever format. The oversized cards, measuring 5x7 inches, are four times the size of traditional trading cards and come packaged in a vintage-style wax pack with newly redrawn artwork and updated lettering.
The Jumbo Series Full Boxes were limited to 200 numbered editions and each contained six wax packs inside of which you’d find a complete base set of 20 sticker cards, four signed and numbered silkscreen prints, variant cards, error cards, a vinyl sticker sheet, and a folded poster. Additionally, some boxes included rare sketch cards or one of three Golden Tickets, which entitled the winner to receive a custom piece from Buff Monster. In addition to the full boxes, a limited amount of loose packs were available, as well as a vintage-style puffy binder designed to store the larger cards.
Nicole Colombo, General Manager at eBay, commented, “Buff is an innovator and master of his craft, and we know our eBay community of collectors will appreciate the attention to detail, new characters, and updated artwork in this release.” As with the first drop, these sold out within a couple minutes.
Through a multi-phase campaign, the collaboration successfully spotlighted Buff Monster’s unique artistry and eBay’s diverse shopping options. The project culminated in two exclusive branded product releases, both of which sold out almost instantly, demonstrating the strong demand from collectors and fans. The campaign not only elevated Buff Monster’s artistic achievements but also successfully met eBay’s objectives by generating significant awareness for its trading card category and highlighting eBay as a leading passion-driven marketplace.