PSA vs. FS

[ducky13]

I realize this might make for an interesting first post, but I'm a longtime reader who has often benefitted from many PSAs and wanted to gauge SF's opinion on the issue of where the line should be drawn between a posting a PSA vs. purchasing numerous items and re-selling for a profit in the B&S forum.

For example, had one gone to Daffy's last Friday or Saturday, one would have pretty much had the pick of the litter of Incotex styles, colors, and materials for anywhere between $14 and $27. A couple SF members are reselling dozens if not hundreds of these at a perfectly legitimate, profitable markup, while leaving several Daffy's locations with few, if any, remaining pairs. None of the members who are re-selling these items ever posted a PSA on the whereabouts or price of the merchandise. I have no beef with these members, as this is merely capitalistic and, perhaps, altruistic behavior (to those outside of the NYC/Philly area). My question is this:

Is there an 'acceptable' level of buying and selling on SF? Is it 'ethical' - I use this term losely - for an individual or individuals to take all or most of the consumer surplus for themselves instead of distributing the surplus more equally across other SF members or the general public? At what point is it socially responsible to post a PSA rather than re-sell items in the B&S forum?

Discuss!

 

[Threak]

That is interesting. Another thing to think about is when a PSA prompts others to go clean the place out and resell what they can. For example, when the Robert Talbott cufflinks were popping up in TJ Maxx stores, it seems like anyone with one near by picked up the few pairs they had and offered them up here. I myself went to the only one in the area, but all they had were white wraparounds. Had I found something more popular, I would have probably picked up several pairs for resale.

 

[A Harris]

Originally Posted by ducky13

Is there an 'acceptable' level of buying and selling on SF? Is it 'ethical' - I use this term losely - for an individual or individuals to take all or most of the consumer surplus for themselves instead of distributing the surplus more equally across other SF members or the general public? At what point is it socially responsible to post a PSA rather than re-sell items in the B&S forum? Discuss!
If someone is enterprising enough to do the considerable work it takes to resell then more power to them. I learned long ago that passing up re-saleable merchandise out of altruism rarely turns out the way you would hope. The stuff almost never ends up with who you would like it to.

 

[lee_44106]

capitalism lives.

I have no problem with anybody buying stuff and turn around to make a profit. You gotta figure that not everybody live in NYC or Philly.

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

capitalism lives.

I have no problem with anybody buying stuff and turn around to make a profit. You gotta figure that not everybody live in NYC or Philly.
+1

 

[Xiaogou]

They will be sol if they don't sell what they intend. They're doing it at their own risk...

 

[Spatlese]

Originally Posted by A Harris

If someone is enterprising enough to do the considerable work it takes to resell then more power to them. I learned long ago that passing up re-saleable merchandise out of altruism rarely turns out the way you would hope. The stuff almost never ends up with who you would like it to.

Originally Posted by lee_44106

capitalism lives.

I have no problem with anybody buying stuff and turn around to make a profit. You gotta figure that not everybody live in NYC or Philly.

Big +1 to both comments.

 

[MikeF]

I don't have a problem with people buying stuff at Daffy's, C21, etc. and reselling. The reality is that these stores don't do mail order, that most of us are not in NYC and that shopping at these places in person is rarely as easy as buying online in any event. In some cases (e.g., C21) it's an ordeal.

All that said, I don't think it's acceptable for a seller to lie about what he's paid, or to insinuate that he's paid much more than he has. In fact, it really gets under my skin. Say nothing at all, if you like, but don't pretend you're starving when you're selling ties for $85 that you bought at C21 for $34.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

capitalism lives.

I have no problem with anybody buying stuff and turn around to make a profit. You gotta figure that not everybody live in NYC or Philly.

+1

In addition those enterprising members are also carrying on the risk of unmovable stocks.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by MikeF

I don't have a problem with people buying stuff at Daffy's, C21, etc. and reselling. The reality is that these stores don't do mail order, that most of us are not in NYC and that shopping at these places in person is rarely as easy as buying online in any event. In some cases (e.g., C21) it's an ordeal.

All that said, I don't think it's acceptable for a seller to lie about what he's paid, or to insinuate that he's paid much more than he has. In fact, it really gets under my skin. Say nothing at all, if you like, but don't pretend you're starving when you're selling ties for $85 that you bought at C21 for $34.


I will disagree with this. We all know what the MSRP would be on the item.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by vitaminc

+1

In addition those enterprising members are also carrying on the risk of unmovable stocks.

That's right. Great risk must carry great reward otherwise why do it. It's Capitalism 101.

Me myself I'm chicken and risk adverse when it comes to re-selling stuff. I only buy stuff I can wear, and if the price is right I'll sell. But big props to guys who buys multiple sizes and multiple lengths as they are assuming great risk that the merchandise will move.

 

[ducky13]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

capitalism lives.

I have no problem with anybody buying stuff and turn around to make a profit. You gotta figure that not everybody live in NYC or Philly.

I certainly agree with most of you here: there are definitely risks to re-selling, it is very time intensive, and clearly not everyone has access to a Daffy's or a Century's. But my real question hasn't fully been answered, or maybe it wasn't phrased properly to begin with:

As a SF 'community' do we owe it to fellow members to offer a PSA of these great deals before we take advantage of them and re-sell to other members at significantly higher prices?

 

[InsBrokerTX]

I say all of the goods should be confiscated and redistributed to the rest of us, at the original buyer's expense. It is only the right thing to do for us less fortunate that did not get the opportunity to obtain that which we are entitled.

I understand the point the OP is trying to make. However, I strongly disagree that we are owed a PSA by other forum members.

 

[dfagdfsh]

no. being able to sign up for a forum doesn't make you part of a 'community', and having a public message board almost gaurantees that non sf members (just readers) will benefit too

 

[MikeF]

I will disagree with this. We all know what the MSRP would be on the item.

What does that have to do with it? I'm not saying the seller has to disclose what he paid. In fact, I don't know why he would. But I frequently see sellers pretending they're selling at cost or even at a loss when in fact that are turning a tidy profit. I don't have a problem with the profit part, but there's no need to mislead.