I'm going to be honest, I've never done it before, but can't say I haven't been tempted to buy gold/ectos from an online vendor. Guess I'm just getting sick of seeing people with stacks and stacks of ectos+armbraces who did nothing but get a couple lucky chests, duplicate armbraces, or win a contest. Nothing against the rich people, most of the them are dedicated, friendly players, but I myself always kinda felt out of the loop because I've known the feeling of maxing out your Xunlai Chest's gold storage or having a stack of ectos. I know I'm not entitled to that kind of wealth just from playing 4 and a half years, just sucks a little bit XD.

Have any of you been tempted to buy in game gold/ectos/zkeys? How did you fight that temptation? Have you ever bitten the apple?

I've honestly never thought about it, one because I'm poor, two because... it's just a game. I already give money to anet, why give it to some random guy somewhere farming for money irl. Get a real job, I had to. I also have never felt the need to worry about how much others have had in comparison to me because... well, I'm having fun anyway, that's all that really matters. If I make a quick buck off of an end chest drop, then whoo! If not, I still have fun and a thrill of seeing if something good drops for me or not, and I'll do it again!

Hmmmm I should go do some SoO... talking about this makes me want to... lol.

Do HA and get a mini ghostly hero from HoH chest.
That prevents buying gold :p

No. Personally I think buying game items from another source than anet is a horrible idea and leads to rip-offs, banned and other such non-sense that can be avoided by simply not doing so. I barely have any ectos or much gold for that matter after the weekend newyear celebration. Sure I got 3tigers but I am not one for the ingame market and offered up my extras to my dad and brother as they didnt get one to drop.

Long answer short. no, just no. the sense of earning the gold and items is much more enjoyable than getting it handed over, even if its the random contest win. eventually one of us poor folks might win.

rich vs poor just hopefully means the richer guild might be willing to help you out if ya need it, it shouldn't make the game less enjoyable. I'd gladly start going on UW runs to help add to the ecto slot in my storage & help you get some in yours.