Bidders spend more than QR10 million on fancy number plates
Bidders taking part in an online auction run by the Interior Ministry for fancy car numbers have pledged more than QR10 million ($2.7m) on 24 number plates.
The highest single bid was for QR936,000 for unique licence plate 377773, for which the minimum bidding amount was QR160,000. For other numbers, bidding amounts ranged from QR250,000 ($68,653) to QR750,000 ($206,000).
The traffic department ran the online auction through interior ministry's mobile service Metrash2 for three days that ended at 10pm yesterday.
The highest bidders to pay up the sums they have bid by tomorrow, failing which they would lose their deposits (of QR20,000 each) and their right to buy the fancy number plates to the next highest bidder.
The traffic department had begun the bidding with QR100,000 for 23 unique number plates.
People in Qatar, which has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, are crazy about fancy car number plates and mobile phone numbers.
There is also a thriving local market for these numbers and their sale and purchase go on almost round-the-year as is evidenced from advertisements appearing in local Arabic newspapers. [The Peninsula]
i am starting new charity office all r invited when any one sell their numbers just bring money to my office I will think about it where to spend :D
lol
Its Chicken 65 at the emporium - you bean bag ! :)
Isn't number 69 - Chicken chow Mein on the Emporium Menu card ?
Rizks: you're interested in 69 or the number plate?
britey, is your number plate 6969 ?
I am interested.....:)
I think my number plate must be worth more than my car ....Anyone interested
the money goes into the drain...:(
End of discussion.
lolz....nonsense arguments!
How do you know it's not going to charity? Do you have a source for your assumption? Let us see it.
Why don't you guys go and visit to MOI Head Quarter to update everyone including Doha News blog?
Oh God this Wild Turkey is the dumbest commenter on QL. And what is even qorse is that he keeps arguing. Mr. Dumb, the money is already with the government, but there is no proof it will be handed over to charities. Now Mr Dumb, how do you know this is going to a charity?
How do you know?
Guys..the money goes to Traffic Department..that's it!
yacine, thanks for the suggestion. I did not expect anything substantial from you.
Doha News likes to portray itself as a real paper
Wild Turkey, relax or go hung yourself.
And who is Doha News? Is it a reliable source? You must be kidding.
I mean, for your stupid assumption.
yacine, please stop assuming that the government keeps the money. or do you have a source for your assumption?
So it is okay to buy Justin Timberlake’s half-eaten French toast or Justib Beiber hairs or used tissue of Scarlett Johansson.. But it is not morally correct to buy a fancy number?
its not an issue for who has the right to input his/her opinion or be concerned on every articles posted here in QL. Otherwise, QL must provide a sections here for every nationalities. And whenever QL will post an article, they must add a subtitle "For Qataris Only" or "For expats only".
In the UAE this money goes to charity, but I've never read anything concrete in Qatar to confirm that this money does go to charity. If someone can provide a link, then please do so. Otherwise, I can't see why everyone is so sure that the government just hands over all this money to a charity.
It is said in DohaNews that it is not clear where the money goes, and that there is no mention it goes to charity as other similar auctions in the UAE normally do. So where do you bring your assertion from? Either share with us an article proving so or stop spreading stupid rumors.
If you could, you would also buy a Ferrari. What a nonsense. The speed limit in Qatar is 120 km/h. But, if you had a Ferrari you'd be a big guy in the eyes of some people. Not in the eyes of all, though. What makes you great has to live within yourself. Anything else can be taken away from you in the wink of an eye, and then you're nobody again.
Expats shouldn't be concerned about this in first place ..
I find it strange when people complain about this practice in Qatar. Is it any different from similar charity events around the world, where the rich bid and overpay for items and services.
lol yes a charity from rich to rich :D
The money DOES to charity! It always has...
The money does NOT go to charities.
What kind of money wastage do you see here ?
All the money is going to MOI & that too from extra rich people, who can easily afford it..
Yes, the money goes to charity. The same happens in UAE
^^^It doesn't mentioned in this article. But if its true that the money goes to charities or wherever it can use for the betterment of others, then it is fine. anyway, that's their money.
And if you ask a guy for a million for charity, he will look at you. Give him a fancy number, and he'll pay. The psychology of people can be that simple.
This money usually GOES to charities!
This money could be better sent to charities and needy people around the world, instead of such silly things, and "gulf culture" would mean alot more in peoples' mind.
wowww...such a waste of money.