Well, they could have been a gift. I'm a sock fanatic, and my friends know it. I often get unusual socks as gifts.
On the other hand, if I see a pair of socks I love, I don't care how much they cost - within reason, of course.
And BTW, I won't be bidding on these. I'm only fanatic about socks I can wear myself ... don't want anyone else's crispy socks !