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My name is Kyle MacDonald and I traded one red paperclip for a house. I started with one red paperclip on July 12 2005 and 14 trades later, on July 12, 2006 I traded with the Town of Kipling Saskatchewan for a house located at 503 Main Street. (Click on pictures below to read about each trade!)

one red paperclip fishpen.JPG knobt.JPG  coleman.JPG  generator.JPG one instant party skidoo2 yahk2 Cintas  Cube Truck1995 one recording contract phoenix one afternoon with Alice Cooper one KISS snow globe one movie role one house click here
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about one red paperclip

My name is Kyle MacDonald and I am making a series of up-trades for bigger or better things up to my goal of a house. I started with one red paperclip on July 12th, 2005. You can read stories about each trade by clicking on the pictures to the left. I'd suggest starting here. You can make offers for my current object here:oneredpaperclip@gmail.com I will travel ANYWHERE for the right offer - including Yahk, British Columbia, Canada.

7/12/2005 01:28:00 AM - permalink

56 Comments:

Blogger Christopher Trottier said...

Dear Sir,

Please teach me your ways.

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I bow to your wisdom. this idea of yours is absolutely brilliant. go for a house!

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Adam said...

simply amazing

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Travel anywhere? You'd better stay where you are. It would seem you have the the finest crop of suckers ever seen right there.

December 02, 2005  
Blogger Maggie said...

genius!

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know... if you do ever manage to trade up for a house, Rawnie and Corrinna will be able to sell that paperclip for at least enough to buy that snowmobile. I like your idea! Keep on trading :D

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Amanda said...

You, sir, are brilliant and awesome. :) Dude I wonder if more people could do this...we could all just openly barter up with one another for the things we need. That would be awesome.

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is very interesting. To the educator who explained the basics of commerce, thank you. those who made containers were also called "hoopers" since they put the metal hoop around the barrel. It was a most difficult task to perform.

Red paperclips rock.

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've got a great red paperclip if you want to trade up on that snowmobile...

Cool concept. Keep it up.

December 02, 2005  
Blogger Lady Fedora said...

Cool! I have lots of paperclips I could eventually trade for houses.

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous James said...

Hey, this is really cool! When I was in high school 20 years ago, we had a large party at my house and divided into teams for a "bigger or better" game. Each team started out with a penny and had two hours to return with whatever we could trade for. We ended up with a refrigerator, a washer and dryer, and a set of dining room chairs among other things.

I had almost totally forgotten about this event, good luck in your endeavors!

December 02, 2005  
Anonymous René Kabis said...

I say, if you can do it, go for it.

The value of property is relative. A million gold $1 coins might be something we would all fight over, but to a man dying of thirst in the desert, they are useless. To him, he would probably trade those coins - and gladly, too! - for lifesaving water.

Just because a trade appears to be inequitable, doesn’t mean that someone got ripped off. They just considered what they were getting to be of more value than what they were giving up.

So to all those who object, stuff it up your arses. If you don’t like it, don’t participate and stay away.

I would never have the patience or the guts to do this, but I admire the effort nonetheless. It is being done in the true spirit of Capitalism, and should be lauded, not condemned.

December 03, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My only question is : Why stop at a house?

December 13, 2005  
Anonymous Shannon said...

I'd love to do this too! I fully believe in what you are demonstrating (intentionally or otherwise) and support it 100%... I am going to start my trade up site soon, but I certainly can't afford to travel to each trading spot! Oh well, it may just work anyways :)

December 16, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey man just thought i would check out your website i have played this game befor and am going to be playing it again this summer.

last summer a team almost got a golf cart and i ended up with about 30 size 12 sandles.

anyway this game shows how much you can earn from just asking.

keep going in no time you will have the house. garanteed.

little tip if you get two things maybe separate them and trade two different people at a time there for you have two way of "income"

January 09, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish I could have helped at the lower stages of it. Good luck man, great idea.

January 16, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keep it up, Kyle!

Best of luck, and ignore those who have the impudence to post negative comments. That's the worst trait in humans - jealousy. And it only serves to show how insecure those that display it really are.

x

January 25, 2006  
Anonymous Lori said...

Ummmm, I'm pretty sure that I freaking LOVE you :D

You make me even more proud to be Canadian!

Hope you get the house.

-muah-

January 26, 2006  
Anonymous pantsmachine said...

Good man, Surreal to say the least, you are in PCFormat mag in the UK this month. I'd offer to trade you a complete snap-on toolkit but we'd have to wait for the landbridge to reform or an iceage. Good luck from Scotland.

January 27, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You rock!!!

January 27, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey y'all, just wanted to pipe up (as an American from Metairie, Louisiana) and say how much I love this site and think the idea's wonderful.

This red paper clib fellow shows pluck, as my grandmother would say. Can't wait for the housewarming party. I make a mean spinach dip.

February 05, 2006  
Anonymous Statix said...

Genius. Well done & Good luck

February 05, 2006  
Anonymous T Stanford Memphis, TN said...

"You can spend all your time making money; you can spend all your money making time"
The Eagles - Take it to the Limit

Great Job on a fun idea. Please tell us you are filiming all this for D'Channel or someone.

February 08, 2006  
Anonymous Joey said...

Haha great idea, hope you get the house. And then get drunk and trade it back for the paperclip.

February 14, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hahahaha, that's incredible!! How can you do that?? So brilliant!!!

February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can you swap people?

February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Bunny said...

You may just be the cleverest person ever to grace the internet sir.

GOOD LUCK GETTING YOUR HOUSE!!
I am cheering for you =]

February 15, 2006  
Blogger Oshadi said...

This could work; it's worked before.

February 15, 2006  
Anonymous Seamus3000 said...

The very best of luck! This reminds me of the original "million-dollar-homepage" idea by that student in England only a few months ago!

All the best!

:-)

February 19, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude, I've been following this site since you began with it. And I must say : ''I'm impressed!,,
I've started this project too, only I began with a signed honkball from 1 of Korea's players. My end goal is to get a motorbike!
I wish you all the luck in the world to get that house! or an island. Or an island with a house!
Good LUCK!

PS : I bet the red paperclip itself will get worth a LOT more than the prize you paid for it at the store. Just because theres a great storyline attached !

March 03, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this idea is so incredibly awsome you probably deserve a house just for coming up with the idea in the first place. unfortunatley, i do not have a house to give you so i cannot help you fulfill your dream.

March 08, 2006  
Anonymous Kitono said...

Go you! ^_^

April 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cool, very cool. Does it matter where the house is?

April 17, 2006  
Blogger Nickel$55 said...

Hey man,
I respect what you doin and I'd also like to trade with you if at all possible

April 17, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW!! I CAN TRULY SAY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Not only for what yourr doing but for who you are!! I can't wait till you end up getting an island insted of a house or a house or just an island with a house! Well i <33 u so much & <33 seeing u on tv

April 18, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just saw you on the news in Australia!
Mark Hallam

April 18, 2006  
Blogger Sylvia S said...

Good for you for having the balls to just go for it. More power to you!

April 18, 2006  
Anonymous Shannon,ATX said...

You Sir, are inspiring.
I woke up this morning and was all to awrare of the eviction notice looming that I just received.
I'm about to lose everything and live under a bridge because I can't get my hands around $1,000.
Your idea gives me a little hope, Thanks

April 18, 2006  
Anonymous Adrian said...

hey man this is by far the best idea ive seen for a long while. ur story just made the prime time news here in Australia its huge....

April 19, 2006  
Anonymous Phoenicoperus said...

http://www.lun.com/modulos/catalogo/paginas/2006/04/19/LUCPRIN14LU1904.htm

You just appeared in a very popular newspaper here in Chile, Southamerika, "Las Ultimas Noticias".

Congratulations!!!

April 19, 2006  
Anonymous melodi said...

dude that is TOTALLY awesome
who knows,you might even end up with more than a house
and all for one paperclip
WOW
keep it up, thats awesome!!!

April 23, 2006  
Anonymous Nikolas said...

Cool info! :)

May 23, 2006  
Anonymous Rodrigo Policarpo said...

Hi Kyle. As I told u in an e-mail some weeks ago, I found ur idea to barter a paper clip for a house great. Then I deceided to do the same in Brazil. Check out my site:

www.clipeazul.com

clipe azul = blue paper clip :)

Good luck

June 04, 2006  
Blogger jacnbox said...

I think you should know that my former AP Econ class tried this experiment. We got pretty far. I ended up with a bag of brand-new clothes (that fit!) and a fossil watch. Heres our page:http://kmacapecon.blogspot.com/

leave us a comment if you want to know the complete story. We all just graduated this past sunday. June 11. so, you can still post, our teacher, mrs. kristen mcdaniel will let us know.

Great Work so far!

June 12, 2006  
Anonymous Susan Manis said...

What a story !! I have followed you since day one and am totally happy for you that you accomplished what you set out to do !! I have throughly enjoyed following the story and most of all "it made me smile". The people of Kypling "Thank You" we need more people like you in this world !! Kind, loving, caring, and most of all believing and having faith in what Kyle can and has done !! Wish I could be there for the party, but Texas is a LONG way away. And by the way SIGN THAT PETITION FOR ALICE !! As a long time rocker fan bith my husband and I we believe and have faith you will get-her-done !!

Susan Manis
sdmanis@yahoo.com

July 11, 2006  
Blogger Braden B said...

kool im tryin dat
Visit My Website

July 12, 2006  
Blogger Melanie said...

Hello, I find your story very interesting. I heard it in an austrian radio.

July 13, 2006  
Blogger Melanie said...

Hello! I find your story very interesting. I heard in on the greatest austrian radio.

July 13, 2006  
Blogger Mommies Tees said...

What a great story. Good luck to you in your future endeavors, but with a creative mind like this, you won't need much luck!

July 15, 2006  
Anonymous Rodrigo Policarpo said...

Hey Kyle. I would like to say that my site (based on your idea) has an English version now :)

Now everybody can understand it :)

www.clipeazul.com

Thank you man!

July 16, 2006  
Anonymous Rodrigo Policarpo said...

Hi. You can visit the English version of my site here:

http://clipeazul.info/indexen.php

July 16, 2006  
Anonymous David said...

I would like to say your story is amazing. And the fact that by your trades you not only helped yourelf to your dream you helped others along the way and made them feel good about themselves. I saw your story and admire your pluck and courage for what you have done. You are a insperation to others. Keep Dreaming and Good Luck from Australia.

July 23, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

dude ive been reading the things ppl have said and ppl all over the world no u!!!

australia england chile man ur 1 popular dude dude

cya later from australia

July 25, 2006  
Blogger MarketingFirst Group said...

I think you have done a great marketing strategy. This is an example of marketing without money. You surely have attracted the media attention. I salute you. Could you please advise me in creating link between our blog.

David Herlambang
MarketingFirst
http://www.marketingfirst.blogspot.com

March 09, 2007  
Blogger kirstie said...

wow. i read your book and was amazed. so amazed i am actually doing a speech on you for my english GCSE. it's worth 7%! you are 7% of my English GCSE! wow. thank you for showing the nicer side of the human race.

November 13, 2007  
Blogger mikayla said...

hey kyle
you inspired me so much im going to do trade aswell. im strating with buttons..but dont be fooled they are not ordinary buttons! check them out at my site
http://houseyhouse-4-mikymouse.blogspot.com

February 19, 2008  

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This is my story:

On July 12th, 2005 I posted a picture of
one red paperclip
on this website. I traded my one red paperclip with Rawnie and Corinna for
fishpen.JPG
which was exchanged with Annie for
knobt.JPG
that Shawn saw and bartered his
coleman.JPG
that was then swapped with Sgt. David J. for
generator.JPG
that Marcin eyed and switched it for
one instant party
that I traded Michel for his
skidoo2
that Jeff upped to
yahk2
and then swapped with Bruno for
Cintas  Cube Truck1995
that Brendan upped the ante with
one recording contract
that Jody traded for
phoenix
and was swapped with Leslie for
one afternoon with Alice Cooper
that Mark switched for
100_0119.JPG
that Corbin turned into
one movie role
and was finally traded for
one house
by the town of Kipling Saskatchewan Canada.


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