6/27/04 by phil

To continue on a rant started in the previous article, I would like to add that my experiences with "bargain shopping" have been somewhat similar to those described.

What I mean to say is, me too!!!111 LOL ROFL

Actually I have something else to mention about outlet stores first: I do not understand why people flock to these places. First of all, let's say that you like to purchase Gap clothes because you believe them to be of higher quality. That is okay. But then you go to the Gap store to purchase clothes that are a) mis-cut b) miscolored c) so ugly no one else in america is buying them. So by the very definition of shopping at an outlet store you are undermining the reason that you pay a little extra for name-brand clothing anyway.

Okay, moving on to "bargain-shopping." Apparently the outlet stores aren't even cheaper than the retail stores anymore (I wouldn't know, but I'll trust mushingirl). However, I think people are driven to shop by the idea of a bargain. Look at eBay. Now I've purchased a few things from eBay over the years, but lately it seems to have devolved into a 3rd rate storefront. I like to buy items from other people on eBay, not some company that is too lame to have their own website, but instead lists their entire inventory on eBay, with the starting bid just $2 cheaper than you could buy the entire thing for in a real store. Oh and then the Buy It Now is set for $5 more than the opening bid. What a bunch of crap.

Even still, let's say you find a nice item that is being sold by an individual. Now if you want it you have to go through the pain of bidding. Of course everyone and their mother's brother's dog has got a sniping program, so if you really want the item you should probably try one too. Of course the price shoots up a lot in the last 5 minutes, probably close to the real price of the item anyway. But even if you win it for less that it would cost in a store, now you're at the mercy of the shipping monster. How does it cost $25 to ship a box of LifeSavers candy? Don't ask me, but A++++++++!!!! seller somehow manages to ripoff the buyer more often than not.

Also you must always add in the (slight) risk of dealing with a scam artist on eBay. I've had 9 or 10 successful transactions, so I'm not complaining from a firsthand experience, but it's always in the back of my mind.

Now how are you going to pay for it? Using a check/money order? That takes time and money. PayPal? That's been a worthless service to me. Last item I won, PayPal refused payment to the seller when I was trying to buy! Can you see how this is getting to be a hassle?

Oh yeah now hopefully the seller ships the item in a timely manner. I've had pretty good luck with mine, but again, sometimes it can take a few days for them to ship it.

Now your package finally arrives. Is the item as you expected? You better hope so, cause if not you're pretty well screwed, unless your seller is really cool and will take it back. Of course, the cool sellers are usually pretty good about describing the item upfront, and you'll know exactly what you're getting.

So, to sum up my rant, eBay is pretty much a waste of time just to save a few bucks on most items. Now for really rare and hard to find items, it can be a great tool! But for everyday purchases and items, the eBayaholic is a real tool.