It was an idea good enough to spend $5 million of the city's cash on, but Seattle's self-cleaning public toilets have been ousted.

And now you'll be able to buy them on eBay.

Neighbours and analysts for the city say the public facilities attracted drug users and prostitutes, and were less than cost-effective since they were installed in 2004. City council voted on May 19th to ditch the johns.

Five of them have gone up for auction at a starting bid of $89,000 each.

But they may be worth it. The graffiti and impact-resistant stalls have automated doors, faucets, dryers and soap dispensers, and have an emergency 9-1-1 button.

Word is, before the plug was pulled, they were well-used.