posted on June 23, 2001 07:40:15 AM newSure we've all gotten good deals in our lives, but not to the point where we deliberately ripped someone off. If I saw an item on auction that I knew was misdescribed, I would tell the seller. I would hope most people were honest enough to do the same for me. For sure, I know I've lost money on some things now that this thread has come forth, but that's life.
Well well, this statement might be worth a whole 'nother thread but I sure cannot let it go unremarked.
If I get a steal on an item (and I have) because the seller didn't know what they have or did not properly describe it, I am NOT "ripping them off." That is a ludicrous supposition, and I do NOT support the notion that I am somehow being "dishonest" by not educating or enlightening the seller.
I spend hundreds of dollars and untold amounts of time educating myself in my field, not to mention shopping for items for resale. If the seller of an item chooses not to expend even minimal resources to research their item, and they have established an asking price, I am not obligated to do one thing more than pay their price.
Yes, it is "nice" and it is "generous" to offer information if you wish. But if you are a dealer and in this business to make a living, there is absolutely no ethical or moral obligation to do so.
posted on June 23, 2001 10:33:06 AM new
>>>I do NOT support the notion that I am somehow being "dishonest" by not educating or enlightening the seller.<<<
I don't support that either, but if by chance you do tip off the seller, it's kind of hipocritical to get ticked off and make accusations ( "His reasons for cancellation sure seem shady, and certainly non-justifiable" ) when a seller exercises his or her right to make changes to the auction.
You have the right to not tip off the seller and the seller has the right to make changes once you do. Fair play works both ways....
[ edited by outoftheblue on Jun 23, 2001 10:38 AM ]
posted on June 23, 2001 12:17:01 PM new
Lisa_B whatever floats your boat. I stand by my statement.
Sure we've all gotten good deals in our lives, but not to the point where we deliberately ripped someone off.
I wouldn't deliberately rip anyone off. I'm sure I've been taken and I'm sure I've taken others, but not deliberately. I couldn't live with myself if I did it "your" way.
I'm also not a dealer, but that has nothing at all to do with telling a seller that his description isn't accurate. So many sellers don't know what they have because they aren't dealers. I used to take books out of the library to see what I had, but it wasn't until someone (a kindly seller) told me how to research things, that I did this. Now I own my books and know pretty much what to do.
But if it wasn't for that kindly seller in the beginning, I'd have dealers ripping me off left and right. At least, that's why your final statement says:
[i]But if you are a dealer and in this
business to make a living, there is absolutely no ethical or moral obligation to do so.[/i]
ouch!!!!!!!
That sure is hard to swallow. Makes all dealers look unethical and immoral. Is that what you want to do? Not all dealers can be painted with such a broad brush.
