$215,000 for lucky phone number

Link : http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/06/pricy.number.ap/index.html

BEIJING, China (AP) -- A Beijing man has paid $215,000 for the ultimate in lucky cell phone numbers -- 1, followed by a string of 3s.

The phone number was sold this week at an auction in the Chinese capital, newspapers reported Saturday.

Chinese tradition considers 3 a lucky number and groups of 3s even luckier. Though the number 8 is the luckiest, all Chinese cell phone numbers begin with "13," making it impossible to make a number with all 8s.

The reports by the Beijing Times and Beijing Morning Post didn't identify the buyer. Phone calls to the number on Saturday weren't answered.

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses in China regularly try to obtain phone numbers with groups of 8s. Those that can't wind up settling for groups of other numbers.