When Digital Life received an invitation for one of its reporters to visit MTV veejays May and Choy's apartment, I felt an inexplicable rush of excitement: My well-honed journalist's nose for news was at work, of course.
The apartment of the twin sisters, both 26, had had a mini-makeover as part of the eBay Show House challenge.
BEFORE: May and Choy's apartment before they went on a shopping spree. -- PHOTO: VINCENT LEONG
The event, which has been held in cities such as Mumbai and Manhattan, aims to showcase how eBay offers online shoppers variety, value and convenience.
In Manhattan, eight interior designers were given US$100,000 (S$153,000) each and seven weeks to furnish a house with items bought from eBay.
The twins, who are eBay style ambassadors, had a harder time.
They too had to furnish their home with items bought at the online auction site, but were given only $7,000 and two weeks to do so.
Stepping into their two-bedroom private apartment at Telok Blangah, the first thing that caught my eye was a chandelier which cast a soft glow in the living room (See Some Of The Things They Bought for their shopping list).
As the photographer clicked away, it occured to me that I should pose with the twins on their eBay bed - just for a keepsake photo, of course.
I decided against it in the end. It would have been unethical to steal the limelight away from them.
Some of the things they bought
The twins bought crisp white, satin-like cotton sheets for their bed.-- PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
Apart from the chandelier ($300) and LCD TV ($1,700), one other notable acquisition was a $939 queen-size bed.
Draping it were crisp white, satin-like cotton sheets that themselves cost $457 for a set of two.
Other buys included a wool rug ($236) and a quaint Japanese-style coffee table ($1,342), making the total of $7,000.
As online bargaining has little to do with how you look (the twins would definitely have an advantage if it did), their list of bargain purchases - 16 in total - is a testament to their bargaining ability.
May and Choy said that the items they had bought would have cost more than double the amount had they paid the full retail price for them.
May and Choy's best e-buy tips
AFTER: After the spree, a new Philips LCD TV, rug and Japanese-style coffee table. -- PHOTO: VINCENT LEONG
1. Do your homework
Bid for the product you want only after you have done your research at a retail store selling it. Check out the price and specs and compare these with the online claims before making your bid.
2. Check the seller's credibility
eBay sellers are usually rated by their customers after every online transaction.
May and Choy purchased the goods only from eBay sellers with a feedback score of 98 per cent and above from their buyers.
3. Count on some luck
Recalled May: 'We couldn't find the TV we wanted even after a week into the challenge. Then the Philips LCD TV - the exact model we were looking for - popped up the next day!'
