DEAL OF THE CENTURY

I know ragging on spam e-mail is just about as old as the Internet itself, but once in a blue moon I get something that surprises even jaded old me.

Consider this message that found its way to my work e-mail address (natch, since it's a Serious Business Opportunity for Serious Businesspeople):

> From: Lisa --------
> To: -----------
> Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2001 1:14 PM
> Subject: www.AirbrushingEquipment
>
> airbrushingequipment.com is for sale.
>
> The price for this domain name is $499.
>
> This is a limited time offer. Available on a first
> come first served basis.
>
> Sam ------
> 708-XXX-XXXX

>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
> http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/?.refer=text
>

Lucrative, yes. And to clinch the deal, nothing says "professional business opportunity" like that plug for free e-mail at the bottom of the message.

Fortunately, even though the message is more than a month old, I checked and the URL is still available. But be warned -- if you want the domain name, brace yourself for a bidding war. I'm prepared to go as high as $499.01 for it.