News: Campus eBay Addicts Purchase the Bizarre at Web Site
October 26th, 2005 by Laurie BarakSource: Central Michigan Life, from Central Michigan University
“Whatever it is, you can get it here,” reads the home page of eBay, the most prominent site for buying and selling on the Internet. eBay, famed for its history of the selling of advertisement space on people’s heads, half-eaten sandwiches and people’s virginity, sells just about anything.
Central Michigan University students use eBay for both needs and wants. When typing in the words “college student” in a search on eBay, nearly 36,000 items come up as a match and usually consist of textbooks and educational tools. Freshman Eric Engel said he sells his books to eBay instead of the school. “It’s better than the bookstore because I don’t get ripped off,” he said.
Some students have strategies to ensure the success of winning their bids, like freshman Heather Nauta, who has been shopping eBay for two years. “I usually go in with a plan and look for deals. I look at everyone’s percentage rating and I don’t buy from someone with less than 98 percent,” she said. “I also look at the ones with the least bids so the price won’t go up as fast.” Students confessed to buying everything from trashy romance novels and comic books to tanning lotion and belly button rings.
According to eBay’s facts page, users worldwide trade more than $1,381 worth of goods on the site every second. The site also hosts a campaign at the end of the summer called the “Back to School Blowout.” The promotion advertises the exclusive selling of college student wants and needs. Many items were categorized under computers, dorm décor, textbooks, football game tickets and college apparel.
