Community Chat

[Vivian]

There's something a bit disturbing about someone who is so well off feeling the need to make even more money in what some might consider unethical selling practices. Though it may not be illegal, there is something of the I-got-ya attitude involved in knowingly ripping people off. Legal...yes. Unethical...probably. 

[jeanlake]

Hubs is marketing major, so I'm familiar with creatives and capitalism. Retail can stop this by implementing stricter return policies. What bothers me is women (primarily) who purchase outfits for events then return the next day. That's not ethical, IMO. But we all have our personal measuring sticks when it comes to ethics. 

Sounds like your friend needs to fill her days and this is her creative outlet, making her feel productive and successful. Not my idea of a fun activity.  

[on the bay]

@Abrowneyegirl -

My first thought was that she sounds a tad obssesed what with the volunteering and the time and energy it takes to do her buying and returning-yikes!

That and a cross between obssesed and an A type personality.

I know people who constantly have to be busy busy busy!!

I think it is also a sign of depression, not wanting to let their minds go into what they want and need to be happy, or why they are unhappy.

Anyone can be always searching for that rush, that another poster pointed out, that can become an addiction or obssesion.

But maybe she is happy in what she is doing so I hope she is.

The only thing I can think of re immoral is that the clothes at stores like TJ Maxx, even Goodwill are designed for people who would really like to find great things at a lower price,and who might not have the income to get clothes etc at higher prices.

If she is buying up 1200 at a store and selling it for much higher, well that leaves a lot less inventory for people who would have loved to have gotten it.

[cherry]

I thing she could be considered a jobber. They buy up  small or broken  lots  of things to resell

jobber
Definition
Popular Terms
Manufacturer, tradesman, or wholesaler who deals in small lots of goods or 'jobs,' or acts as an agent, middleman (intermediary), or a sub-contractor, and usually does not deal directly with the principal customer.

[kitcat51]

No.

[SahmIam]

As I've reread the thread, two things stand out to me:

1) this appears to be an issue because the woman doing it is already VERY wealthy. 

2) People who are less fortunate are having product meant for them taken away.

If this was a woman struggling to make ends meet, would it be ok? I get the feeling it would be. 

Only people who can't afford to shop and pay big bucks for items shop at Goodwill, TJ Maxx, etc? Really?

The attitudes being expressed in many (not all) of the replies shows me there is a definite "attitude" about those with money and those without. And IMHO, those "attitudes" feed a lot of the problems we're facing today. Why people shop where they do; why people re-sell; how one gains wealth are not cut and dry reasons. Not at ALL. Interesting thread, have to say.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Not new. Lots of people do that.

[bathina]

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@Vivian wrote:

There's something a bit disturbing about someone who is so well off feeling the need to make even more money in what some might consider unethical selling practices. Though it may not be illegal, there%should something of the I-got-ya attitude involved in knowingly ripping people off. Legal...yes. Unethical...probably. 

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She probably is worth a ton, but doesn't have cash. Her husband may question ATM transactions and credit card balances. Many wealthy women are in that position. They don't work outside the home and have to account for what they spend. They will take their clothing to consignment for cash.

[on the bay]

@SahmIam -

I think you are so right about the differences in attitude based on what money people have.

And yes I do agree that people who are wealthy also shop at consignments, TJ Maxx etc.

It reminded me of my father who had money but was very frugal as many depression era parents were for the rest of their lives,

whether they had money later in life or not!

This is a little o.t. but one time he and his wife went into a card store, picked out cards for each other, had each read the others and then put them back in the rack lol!

I always laugh when I think of that.

It's kind of genius actually. They got a laugh out of it too-a good memory

[Carmie]

I see no problem in what she is doing.  All retailers buy cheap and sell for profit.

it doesn't matter if she is rich or poor, she is doing nothing wrong.

My SIL's sister visits yard estate sales and resells the items for far more than she purchased them for.  This is her only source of income and she supports herself and two children.

My best  friends daughter who is a nurse, does this too, Part time.. Poshmark is where she sells items.  Her buyers are mostly on  the west coast, she is in PA.  She apparently saves her buyers a lot of money.  Her things get purchased as soon as she posts them.

if you go to thrift stores like Good Will and Salvation Army, you will see these online sellers with multiple overflowing  carts buying merchandise so they can resell it.

This has been going on for quite a while and is nothing new.  Lots of e-bay sellers do the same.