function hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); bubble.style.display = "none"; } function hide_user_promo_bubble() { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 0 } }, 1, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); setTimeout("hide_user_promo_bubble_second_stage()", 1100); } function handle_promo_username(params) { var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); var img = $("user_promo_bubble_image"); var anchor = $("user_promo_bubble_link"); if (params.has_photo == "true") { img.src = "http://images.huffingtonpost.com/profiles/" + params.user_id + "-tiny.png"; } else { img.style.display = "none"; Dom.addClass(anchor, "wide"); } anchor.innerHTML = "Shared by " + params.user_name; anchor.href = "http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/" + params.user_name; bubble.style.display = "block"; var myAnim = new YAHOO.util.Anim(bubble, { opacity: { to: 1 } }, 2, YAHOO.util.Easing.easeOut); myAnim.animate(); } if (HuffPoUtil.getUrlVar("user_promo")) { YAHOO.util.Event.onDOMReady(function() { var parts = document.location.hash.split(","), shared_by = "", badge = "", i; if (parts.length < 2) return; for (i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) { if (parts[i].indexOf("sb=") !== -1) { shared_by = parts[i]; } if (parts[i].indexOf("b=") !== -1) { badge = parts[i]; } } if (shared_by == "" || badge == "") return; var bubble = $("user_promo_bubble"); if (!bubble) return; var entry_id = HuffPoUtil.GetEntryID(); if (!entry_id) return; var user_id = parseInt(shared_by.substr(shared_by.indexOf("sb=") + 3)); if (!user_id) return; var badge_type = badge.substr(badge.indexOf("b=") + 2); if (!badge_type) return; script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); bubble.appendChild(script); script.setAttribute("src", "/include/share_track.php?a=view&eid=" + entry_id + "&uid=" + user_id + "&b=" + badge_type + "&cb=handle_promo_username"); }); } Local Teen Uses Craigslist To Trade Cell Phone For Porsche

Via KTLA

GLENDORA, Calif. -- A 17-year-old Glendora boy has turned an old cell phone into a Porsche through online trading.

Steven Ortiz made a series of 14 swaps over a period of two years, using the Craigslist website, to get his 2000 Porsche Boxster S, the Pasadena Star-News first reported.

It all started when a friend gave him an old cell phone and he had his eyes on a dirt bike.

 

Ortiz told KTLA, "I got to the dirt bike and I told myself, 'If I can get here, where else can I get?'"

He kept trading up, acquiring a MacBook Pro, a 1987 Toyota 4Runner, and eventually a 1975 Ford Bronco.

The Bronco, considered a collectible, scored him the Porsche.

Story continues below

Advertisement

Ortiz says he does his research first, searching the web for good deals. He also says you should never pay any extra cash for anything when bartering.

"I get so many people who say, `Can you trade my phone for a car?' I just say, `Yeah. It's not that easy,"' he told the Pasadena Star-News.

As far as successful bartering goes, Ortiz says anyone can do it.

"Anybody can do this as long as they put their mind to it. That's all it is -- your mind and your patience. You can't give up."

Ortiz's father says in this economy, many people don't have the money and are more willing to trade belongings for something they need but can't necessarily afford.

Ortiz hopes to go to college and study law or business.

He also says he is already looking for a new car since routine maintenance on a Porsche is pretty expensive.

"At 17, paying $1,200 for a tune up on a Porsche. I can do a lot with $1,200."

Ortiz hopes to trade the Porsche for an Escalade.

Know something we don't? E-mail us at [e-mail]

Comments

[Phil Smith]

I'm doing the same thing with a twist. I'm starting with an iPhone and trying to pay off my debts.

I started a blog and twitter to document it all. I'll be letting readers help evaluate my trade offers and interact along the way.

Check it out:
www.craigstrade.com
www.twitter.com/craigstrade

[Bret Douglas]

Reminds me of the story of the Tennessee mountain man who showed up one morning at a local flea market with just an old hunting dog and an old shotgun for trade. By the end of the day he left the flea market with the dog, the shotgun and $2000.

[ClaudiaL]

Is he related to Sue Lowden aka the chicken lady from Nevada who was running for Senator? Sue thought we should all barter for healthcare. Sharron Angle aka "run, Sharron, run" makes me miss the chicken lady.

[DrPaulProteus]

Can he trade the Porsche for a job?

[rikilii]

If a '75 Bronco is a collectible that is even-tradable for a Porsche, it just sounds to me like he got lucky by finding a dupe who didn't know the value of what he had.

[Paralogos]

Then again, we don't know much about the history and condition of the Porsche...

[Johnny2Bad]

If Ortiz keeps at it he can trade his Porsche for a university diploma, although the car is worth more.

[olddognewtrick]

Some day we'll hear the rest of the story...

[Caleb Owens]

Exactly, there seem to be a lot of holes.

[Dan909]

If he was truly smart he would've kept his mouth shut . After this worldwide alert to the IRS, the next news about him could easily be of him selling the Porsche to pay taxes and penalties.

[cambridge02140]

IF this kid was as smart as he thinks he is, he would trade the Poor-shah for a Yaris and pocket the difference.

Hint: Maintenence on your wannabee fake 4 x 4 Escalade is more than a Toyota, pal.

[drfalafel]

A ten year old Porsche boxster is worth much less than a new Yaris.

[jjkmack]

Keep an eye on him, he'll take your last dollar.

[Manwhatthe]

You could sell the car and buy two escalades.

[Bike Commuter]

Is there an echo in here?

[earto44]

You could sell the car and buy two esclades.

[earto44]

You could sell the car and buy to escalades.

[daisies peonies]

Smart Kid!!!

[RodgerLodger]

Hope the Dems in Congress get wind of this...they can enact a tax on his capital gains (profits from bartering his stuff). Let no profit go untaxed!

[Hoosierbrad]

Sorry, but any income, including that from bartering, has been taxed for decades. I hope you report your bartering income, you good patriotic con.