Do you think it's too easy to spend money on Ebay?

United States
November 4, 2007 5:50pm CST
Nowhere else on the planet is it easier for me to spend my money than Ebay. For some strange reason, I don't feel compelled to shop at any of the other online stores, no matter how good the deals are. But, whenever I see a deal on Ebay, I have to snap it up, before someone else gets to it. Maybe it's because Ebay always has that timer to let you know when the auction is going to end. And, you know that if you don't place a winning bid by that time, you'll miss out. But, Ebay makes it so much easier to spend money there, too. You can pay by Paypal. And, Paypal has one click shopping. Just sign in and they use the credit card info on file to help you complete the purchase in just a few seconds. It's convenient and unfair at the same time. Sure, I get what I want on Ebay, but my budget suffers as well. And, if I resist the urge to purchase an item on Ebay, I end up feeling guilty that I missed out on such a good deal. Most times, I have to avoid going to Ebay, unless I just want to spend money. Maybe, I should seek shoppers therapy. How do you deal with the urge to spend money on Ebay? Do you find that it's more tempting to spend money at auctions than regular online stores? Do you think it's because of the pressure to beat the auction deadline? Or, simply because there are better deals on stuff? What's your opinion?
6 people like this
17 responses
@miryam (6505)
• Italy
5 Nov 07
i hate ebat....... it's easy bur dangerous 2 timr i'm paid and nothingf arrivem i not use bwever e bay myry
1 person likes this
@milott (2646)
• India
5 Nov 07
No, absolutely not, I would think twice or thrice when spending money on ebay these days, as the quality of the electrics and other products have gone down dramatically these days.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
4 Nov 07
oh yes I love Ebay, you can pick up some good deals, I love just looking at what is going, you do have to be careful and read exactly what it is you are buying and I must be honest a few things I have bought I have been a little disappointed as sometimes photos can make something look a little better but over all I love it.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
4 Nov 07
i am so like you! i love ebay and find it can be addictive for sure! I am a freelance writer and get paid via paypal, you can use paypal for your ebay purchases, so really, its like you are not spending any money at all and that can be pretty dangerous!
• United States
5 Nov 07
Ditto! My first three months of My Lot pay got spent that way. Way too easy to spend with Paypal.
• New Zealand
5 Nov 07
Also, you can make money by buying from ebay and then reselling. I'm sure I recognized a username on ebay buying premium watches which he then resold on our popular trademe site in New Zealand. But of course you need a lot of money, and marketing - business skills...
1 person likes this
@lilash2 (52)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Yes I agree, ebay shopping can get out of hand. This is only cause they have so much stuff, they have everything you can imagine! And I think it is so much fun looking at everything, they have so many choices. I think at times it is better then going to the mall!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Nov 07
Yes, it is, but I would not do it if I were anyone here. Spending too much money can lead to debt.
• Canada
5 Nov 07
It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, it's just too easy to spend money. eBay is just one example of a way that a person can spend a lot of money in a tiny amount of time. Shopping on the internet with a credit card is just too darn easy.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
5 Nov 07
Morning dear beauty queen, I have no experience buying things on ebay. I have a question for you and would like to know the answer because later when I have made enough earnings from mylot, I would spend my earnings on ebay as it is said to be the one for paypal to use on this site. I am not sure about it, but I guess so. Well, my question is: Do they sell new as well as old stuff on ebay, please, since you have such online shopping experience on ebay? I would be much appreciated if I could have your response. Thank you very much in advance. Best wishes, Williamjisir
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I shower ebay with money! lol - shower of money
Can I get in on that therapy with you? I'm so bad on ebay that it isn't even funny any more. That's actually how I got started selling there. I was spending so much I decided to try to make more money to spend...lol...and I did! lol...you are right about paypal making it so much easier and the 'thrill of the auction' deadline! I've been doing my Christmas shopping there for years and always get THE best buys. Yes, it's wayyyyy to easy to spend money on ebay!
@jolenegreen (1209)
• United States
5 Nov 07
YES! I am soooo addicted to ebay its pathetic! I also spend alot of money there!
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
6 Nov 07
yes, especially since you bet on the items and before you know it you could be pay twice as much as you planned on.
@clclbby (32)
• China
5 Nov 07
yes, you are right, when you like a Commodity, you also pay for it, there a lot of things had some Function,but we don't use it usual. If we can Sees clearly what's function it's had, and don't buy only one funtion commodity, maybe you well Economical more of your money,Good luck~!
• United States
5 Nov 07
I think it is to easy. People can get very addicted to eBay and lose a lot of money. Trust me. I learned first hanned. Ebay is good for selling. I never buy
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
5 Nov 07
I thought it was just me that got stuff from ebay. I have to watch my spending limit on there that's for sure. They do have some pretty good deals on there that is for sure.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
5 Nov 07
My s/o could definitely use "shoppers therapy"...of course then he may go through e-bay withdrawal and that might not be a good thing either. It doesn't matter if it's something he nows for sure he needs...if it looks close and is a good deal, I can be sure it will be arriving by UPS....it's never a good sign when the UPS guy can see us at a store and know us by name!
• New Zealand
5 Nov 07
Well beautyqueen26 (2727) You are not kidding! i have brought several mobile phone batteries, desktop chargers, premium seiko/casio watches, bracelets for myself, my family and extended family members. The all up prices were about a third to a half than here in NZ. Also the range of these small goods are incredible (particularly the watches) - All the more reason to buy more...Even if i used buy now, items were still relatively cheap and easy to buy with paypal. So, it's the uniqueness of items and cheap pricing, and the fact I could buy items for family/friends that attracted me and of course them. I didn't really bother about bidding...