Watch before buying, a new way to shop?

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At the beginning of this year I made a decision to start selling off my wardrobe on eBay. I had never sold anything before on the site although I'd often bought clothes, but once I figured it out, I was away.

As the Total Sales amount from Pay Pal climbed, I decided to start reinvesting some of my earnings. So I started 'watching' stuff on eBay, where you find something you like and press Add To Watch List, which means you haven't committed to anything, you're just going to watch it while it sits there, collecting bidders and maybe going up in price. Since I am now on the site most days, I have become something of an expert in the eBay movement of a couple of my favourite designers (Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Marithe + Francious Girbaud) and know exactly when something new is loaded up. 

Pressing the Add to Watch List button at the beginning of the seven day selling period costs you nothing and teaches you a lot. At first I would find stuff and get VERY excited, wanting to purchase immediately because I loved the look of it so much. Going back regularly to my Watch List I would check out the photos and read the description over and over, desperate for the final flourish of bidding to happen so I could own whatever piece of clothing it was (I never did the Buy Now thing, preferring to hold out for the best price).

Then a funny thing happened. After maybe two or three days watching something, I'd find myself slightly losing interest. By this stage it is likely another item had caught my eye. After five days watching, I'd start to change my mind about loving the thing and by day seven, more often than not I had decided I wasn't interested at all. This has happened so many times since January (I have only purchased ONE thing from eBay so far, my cash count is now a cash-stash) that I can only think that it is changing the way I shop.

This seven day cooling off period makes me REALLY think about what I'm buying. It's completely the opposite from the 'just buy it' mentality I happily adopt while in a shop (I can't get in and out of a COS store without purchasing).

It links in with what Grayson Perry was talking about when he claimed that we are all 'addicted to the petty thrill of newness'. I think he might be right and I also reckon if you build in in a period of delay, wether it's seven days on eBay or a walk around the block in the fresh air before handing over your credit card,we wouldn't buy half as much. 

What if this Add To Watch List principle was applied to all shopping for non essential items? Would it be like a ' cure all' diet for 'mistake' purchases? Would we have better chosen wardrobes? Would shops selling nothing but scented candles and porcelain chop stick holders all go out of business? Has anyone else changed the way they shop recently?

Comments

[steffi]

Funny you should mention this... we've recently become total ebay-junkies after investing in a number of design classic bits and bobs via the day job and placing them on the site for sale. What we've also done though is clear out some of our own personal objects that we've been carting round the globe in a gypsy fashion. We are self-confessed hoarders and to finally lose some of that excess weight feels surprisingly, incredibly good - not to mention the growing stash of cash on the paypal account!!!! Hubby has a bike fetish so he watches about 15 bikes at any one time, like you it rarely materialises into a purchase but he seems to still get a kick out of it....
x

[amanda]

Hmmm, interesting new consumer behaviour trend emerging! We too have a garage full of stuff we want to sell Steffi and that's my next move after I've cleared my wardrobe out....perhaps 'getting rid of stuff' as well as 'watching and not buying' is a middle age thing? Ax

[Ann]

I agree - it's the thrill of the transaction, the new piece in the bag and the promise that it brings - the aspiration of it. As you take the time to see, to think, you have the chance to ruminate, and really think through what that piece/item could bring to your life, and, often, although it will be beautiful, it's hardly essential. It's being taken out of that moment. Which, in turn means that, when you do purchase an item, you know that it's a thoughtful purchase, and is more likely to make a difference to your wardrobe/home, rather that yet another item that you may not be able to afford.

[Cathy]

This year I am trying to be more aware of any non essential purchase I make. In the past I've tended to buy on impulse and it's meant a wardrobe full of mismatched items and regular jaunts to the shops to return things. So if I see something I like I try it on and then walk away and think about it for a week or two. If I'm still interested I go back and try it on again, often I find it looks different or I feel different about it. So far I've only bought a breton top and a belt with this method - both of which I'm really please with. However, it is only March so I'm not cracking open the champagne just yet.

[amanda]

Isn't this interesting? Is it because we are wiser now? Is this experience talking? Ax

[jill]

Ebay..Love it! After my daughter's love-rat boyfriend dumped her I sold every one of his presents and presented her with a cheque to blow as she desired. An empty perfume bottle from Christmas had 10 people bidding for it!

[materfamilias]

Interesting. . . I don't do Ebay at all, but I've noticed this phenomenon with regular shopping myself in the last two months. I decided not to make any big declarations about shopping, but simply to give myself time for another look-in later. And just as you describe, by the time that second look comes around, the "buy"impulse is gone. I haven't bought anything this year so far. I'm heading to London/Paris today for six weeks, and wondering how I'll manage this more mindful shopping while I'm in those scrumptious retails cities. My carry-on-sized luggage should help!

[Belstaff Jackets]

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