Difference between Sims 3 Points and In-Game Spending money?

[HLdan]

Hi, I'm almost to twist my head off searching for help with this. I've been playing the Sims 3 for a while but I recently started expanding my Sims' home. I have...now had 1000 Sims 3 points. I purchased and downloaded a TV and kitchen sink. I installed them into the game but when I go to use them it requires me to "buy" these items with the in-game money my Sims earned from working. I feel like I've wasted my Sims 3 points on purchasing stuff that I can't use unless I pay again for them. I've asked EA about this and they don't seem to understand my question. All I want to know is does the Sims 3 points only unlock items so you can buy them with the money my Sim has earned from working or should the Sims 3 points actually buy the item for immediate use?  Thanks so much.

[Addict]

Hi there,

Buying items from The Sims 3 Store with Sims 3 points only unlocks the items in your game. Your sim would then have to buy them with Simoleons (what they earn for working, playing guitar etc etc). They are not "free" items for your sim.

Hope this has cleared it up for you,

Addict 

[Sportsfan]

There are two separate stores, each use different currency. The online sims store uses sim points to unlock items which you sims can then buy in buy mode using simoleans

[HLdan]

Hi there,

Buying items from The Sims 3 Store with Sims 3 points only unlocks the items in your game. Your sim would then have to buy them with Simoleons (what they earn for working, playing guitar etc etc). They are not "free" items for your sim.

Hope this has cleared it up for you,

Addict

Thank you so much @ Sportsfan and @ Addict. That really helped. I don't understand why EA has a game help chat but didn't understand what I was talking about. You guys ROCK!!!