Jobless Brit man tries to sell skills on eBay without setting minimum bid

A British graphic designer, who has been unsuccessful in finding work to support his family, has tried to sell his skills for one year on eBay without setting minimum bid.

Graphic designer Tristam Rossin, 36 of Cheshire, made the decision to auction his skills after he was not able to find work after two months, and after his savings began to run out.

"I've a wife and three children to support, so this is a very serious venture for me - it is not a hoax," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

Rossin, who had been earning an annual salary of £27,000 pounds, was trying to sell his skills for 40 hours a week, for one year. But he did not expect to make as much through the eBay venture.

ebay has now removed the advert saying that the listing is "in breach of their policies".

Rossin said he would have worked for the full year whatever the outcome of the bids - which, before being removed, reached just £3,100.

"I have 12 years of experience, but I have only been working part-time as a graphic design in recent years as the family bought a campsite in France," he said.

"We wanted to drink wine and have a good time, but we soon realized that this wasn't going to be the case and I ended up working in design for six months of the year.

"The campsite business didn't work out and we returned to Britain.

"I've applied for jobs nationwide, but I'm up against hundreds of applicants for each role. It is a cut-throat market and I knew that I had to do something drastic.

"Because of the business in France and moving back to Britain, it is likely to be four or five months before all the paperwork is sorted out and I can get access to any benefits.

"My money is running out and so I need to work," he added.

Rossin has a full knowledge of all leading design, illustration and flash animation software.