Why I Love: eBay

Everyone loves a bargain and there are certainly plenty to be had on eBay. As a girl who loves clothes and an all round shoe and boot addict, I am constantly searching for tall clothing in my size and for shoes and boots that are often elusive in a size 9 on the British high street. But whatever it is you’re looking for, you are likely to find it, for eBay is a treasure trove of junk, bargains and items that may no longer be for sale elsewhere.
So just what is the hook that makes eBay so addictive, and not just to buyers? The answer is two fold. People love to shop. And there is an undeniable thrill of purchasing something you love. But here it’s slightly different: eBay is a competition. You compete with other buyers to win the item and then you get the rush from buying it at the checkout. But since eBay is mail order, you then get a second bout of excitement a few days or a week later, when your item is delivered to you in the post. It’s like someone has sent you a gift. And let’s face it, a pair of shoes or the latest book you’ve purchased is always going to be more exciting than a utility bill or credit card statement.
Now as much as I love to bid on an item on eBay, I think that selling things is just as exciting, if not more so. When you’re bidding, there’s always that chance you will be outbid and the price will go above what you’re willing to pay. But when you watch an item you’re selling, several things happen that I think are pretty great. First, you know how many people are watching the item. Second, once the bidding starts the and the price goes up, it’s gratifying to know that all that money is coming straight to your Paypal account, rather than being deducted from your credit card. And thirdly, it’s like an endorsement of your good taste that someone else wants to purchase something that you have previously bought for yourself.
I like to think there’s a bit of a trader in all of us: we like to sell things to make money and we love to grab ourselves a bargain when shopping. And it is the same the world over; hence eBay is so successful worldwide.