This isn't the first time I have seen this (mostly in the local online classifieds, where most such nutcases live), but I had no idea they had appreciated so much in value (and that despite the damage/missing parts).
If I had some of those boxes I'd watch the auction too - if it actually sells for any significant amount of money I'd be "sell one like this" so dang fast. I have seen stranger things on ebay. Takes all kinds.
... could also be a money laundering/embezzling/tax cheat scheme - same guy buys and sells himself these boxes using different ebay accounts.