No takers on eBay for flashy Dubai trainers


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A pair of exclusive, custom-made Nike trainers illustrated with images of Dubai went on sale on the eBay auction website but proved too costly, with no buyers prepared to foot the bill. The shoes were given to a small group of European Nike employees and have not been offered for sale to the public. But one member of staff who received the gift saw a chance for a fast buck and posted them on eBay for a staggering US$1,299 plus postage.

Sadly, the price tag was too high and the auction ended at around 6pm on Friday with nobody prepared to pay the asking price. The employees were awarded the trainers as part of an internal contest held in Dubai last month, according to Sahar el Guindy, Nike's Middle East marketing manager. Dubbed the Nike Dunk Hi Dubai, the shoes feature the Palm Jumeirah, camels and other symbols printed in gold graphics on the trainers' black leather panels. The shoes are black, white and blue, with a glossy gold Nike swoosh along the side.

It is not unusual for Nike to distribute a small number of exclusive edition trainers as corporate gifts to its employees, affiliates and celebrities, said Bradley Carbone, lifestyle editor for Complex magazine, a men's shopping guide in New York.

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Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

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Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)