Forget drugs, booze or Glee...the latest craze gripping the souls of many a post-recession affected person is eBay. Its unique selling point is that it offers the best of the high street and beyond…for a mere fraction of its original price: tempting items listed daily which are simply too good to refuse. Don’t get me wrong it can be great for snapping up unexpected bargains…when used in moderation.
If I lose out on something and am outbid eBay being the extremely accessible minefield it is means a replacement is never more than a few clicks away. Then the waiting game ensues all over again of watching a particular item and its activity. Even forewarning that you’ve been outbid and encouragement to ‘bid again’ and ‘don’t let it get away’ all coerce naïve people into going higher than their original limits.
It’s an empty victory as most items you bid on you seldom genuinely need. It’s more the thrill of seeing something you want and beating off others in order to win it. Even the terminology of ‘winning’ an item makes people feel they’ve conquered something when in actual fact they’ve simply bought it.
At my lowest point I have declined going out with people and having human interaction outside of my house due to items I know I need to bid on at close range. If I'm out I’ve been plagued by items on my mind and end times looming.
I am aware that this is a quite normal extremely sad obsession but I know I am not alone.
First step to overcoming: look at your monthly bank statement. Only there can one actually SEE the amount of Paypal payments consecutively eating away at their balance. One thing about eBay is that you don’t realise how much you’re buying. Online transactions remove the reality of going into a shop and handing over your money or using a card; it almost becomes a mindless act spending on eBay.
Second step: tell someone. Even doing so in a jokey sort of “Heyyy so you’ll never believe I’ve been doing in my spare time lately…”, at least it’s a form of confession and a problem shared is a problem halved after all! Plus the embarrassment of admitting and speaking about bidding away your earned cash is enough to make you come to your senses.
Thirdly analyse the items you’ve been bidding on or buying. You don’t genuinely need 6 tops, 2 pairs of trainers, games or all that jewellery. Sure it’s at a discounted price but like any maths buff will tell you: it ALL adds up ultimately. Want: yes…NEED: no. That’s what you need to tell yourself before you risk buying excessively.
If this does not sound anything like you well done for staying strong, however anyone can get sucked in by the bargain-hunting bug. Continue to shop responsibly and don’t get carried away. And if this does apply to you: it’s not too late to mend your ways before you get stuck in a rut! I’m living proof…almost ;)
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