Buying and Selling
Last Minute Bidder - (Almost) Always Win the eBay Auction
A couple of months ago, I wrote about how eBay changed my life as a seller. However, much more often, people proclaim how eBay turned their lives around as consumers. They not longer get excited when they see a sale in the Sunday circular, look in the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart, browse a garage estate sale, or shop at the local Salvation Army. I mean, these low prices are a normalcy on eBay. The other day, my dad excitedly informed me that the Computer Show was coming to town. But I told him, “What’s the use? I can get even better prices on eBay. It’s not worth the gas money and admission fees.”
eBay is great and all, but who has time to keep up with an auction? Auction-style retail seems like such a waste of time if you’re considering petty items like Beanie Babies or computer memory. They only appear relevant for big-ticket purchases like computer systems, cars, and famous works of art. Because of this, I love eBay’s Buy it Now, Express, and Make an Offer formats. They allow bidders to just cut to the chase and flat out purchase the item without the mess of a long, drawn out auction. Unfortunately, the majority of eBay listings are still in the auction format.
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June 25th, 2007 | 1 Comment | Buying and Selling, Internet, Money, eBay
Save on Your Wireless Phone Bill to Free (or Nearly-free) with Dropped Call Credits
Guy: Hey baby.
Girl: Hey, what’s up?
Guy: Nothin much. Just wanted to talk to the most beautiful girl in the world, that’s all.
Girl: That’s sweet.
Guy: Its true!
Girl: Yeah, yeah.
Guy: Its just nice to know that I’m the only man in your world.
Girl (Mouthing): Of course your are!
Guy (who does not hear her): I am the only man in you world … right?
Baby?
Is it Earl?
Cat got your tongue? Earl got your tongue?
Have you ever seen the above commercial from Cingular? Hopefully, you’ve never experienced major breech of miscommunication as depicted in the commercial. Cingular (at&t) boasts the most reliable wireless phone network nationwide with the fewest number of dropped calls. From anecdotes of people I know, there seems to be some truth to that claim. One colleague of mine, who lives in the outskirts of the city, even claims that he has never experienced a dropped call with Cingular … ever.
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May 4th, 2007 | 1 Comment | Buying and Selling, Money
Guide to Buying Cheap Rimless Glasses Online
Eyeglasses are one of the only “accessories” that society allows a guy to wear. I’ve always admired how they showed my intellect. Every time I see a friend with a pair of nifty glasses, I want to try them on to see how they would look on me. In the past, I’ve often wanted a fake pair. Maybe they would come in handy at a job interview to make me look smarter, more skilled, and more mature in the eyes of my potential future employer. Little did I know that I would actually need these medical devices!
Aging Eyes
It all started out when I had trouble seeing the signs on the road. At first, I thought, “DPS should make bigger signs!” Then, my sister pointed out that it was not hard at all for her to see the letters. We compared what signs we could and could not see and I realized that my years of long computer use finally caught up to me. I tried on a pair of my friend’s glasses (who had the same vision as me) and I exclaimed, “I was blind but now I see!” It was an epiphany-like experience like I was living in a whole new world.
Rim-less Eyewear
Right then and there, I decided that I needed eyeglasses. But not just any glasses! No, no! Fashionable glasses! I bought framed glasses at Eyemasters … and returned them in two weeks. I wanted the rimless variety, not that cheap semi-rimless knockoff. Rimless glasses are one of the hottest styles in the market. Too bad that they are also one of the most expensive types to make. To obtain a decent pair, the optician must drill very precise holes into the lens. The lens also has to be made of polycarbonate plastic or it will very likely shatter and/or scratch. These two requirements coupled with their popularity of rimless eye wear set prices back at least $300 retail price!
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April 18th, 2007 | 5 Comments | Buying and Selling, Internet, Rants and Raves, Reviews