help Me Please

[FRANKYG]

Hello my friends, I have a quick question that is driving me crazy …
Last week I did a job on a customers car, and told him I gave him a $50 discount, but I really didn’t, I raised the price up first and then took off the $50 so I can still make a decent profit. I didnt feel quite right about this, so I confessed it as being a Liar, But never as stealing… My question is , did i REALLY steal?? I know it was dishonest, but was it stealing, Was my previous confession Invalid?? Thank you Very Much …

 

[Chesster]

Unless you deliberately withhold a sin I don’t think it is invalid but I’m not sure. Talk to your confessor.

 

[Barbkw]

In business, there are customers who need a special or a discount. They seem to intentionally enjoy putting business owners between a rock and a hard place.

My advice is to set your prices, stick to them, and have those prices apply to everyone.

That’s the Christian way to treat people. Give up front estimates where you can and stick to that estimate.

 

[FRANKYG]

Thank you both for your responses … Do you guys think I “STOLE” money ?? Thank you

 

[Adeodatus]

Hello my friends, I have a quick question that is driving me crazy …
Last week I did a job on a customers car, and told him I gave him a $50 discount, but I really didn’t, I raised the price up first and then took off the $50 so I can still make a decent profit. I didnt feel quite right about this, so I confessed it as being a Liar, But never as stealing… My question is , did i REALLY steal?? I know it was dishonest, but was it stealing, Was my previous confession Invalid?? Thank you Very Much …

At the time that you confessed, did you truly and fixedly consider it to have been theft but decided not to call it that for whatever reason? If so then you need to go back pronto and confess what you really had on your mind as a sin.

On the other hand, if you think in retrospect that you misrepresented it, but did not at the time deliberately misrepresent it, then I think you’re OK but you still need to confess what you now know to be the more complete description of the sin at your next confession.

This isn’t really my area though… when in doubt, I say confess.

Also: stop cheating your customers, man. Just be up front about the price.

 

[FRANKYG]

Also: stop cheating your customers, man. Just be up front about the price.

yes, Thank you for For your response, It’s just hard to get a Decent profit. But I will Go back Today and confess my sin… Thankl you for your Honesty my friend

 

[Barbkw]

Years back, businesses were caught doing this.

Many still do this as a way to raise prices (particularly those items routinely purchased by people - like groceries. Businesses increase prices and then offer a sale on that amount back down to normal prices. After the sale, the increased price remains.

Talk to Jesus about whether or not you stole. It seems to me that you feel you did something dishonest and close to theft.

Conditions surrounding the sale might be your answer here.

But, as above, work out your business plan so you don’t have to continue putting yourself through this confessional process. Protect yourself from this near occassion of sin. Owning a business, is already difficult enough.

 

[FRANKYG]

Years back, businesses were caught doing this.

Many still do this as a way to raise prices (particularly those items routinely purchased by people - like groceries. Businesses increase prices and then offer a sale on that amount back down to normal prices. After the sale, the increased price remains.

Talk to Jesus about whether or not you stole. It seems to me that you feel you did something dishonest and close to theft.

Conditions surrounding the sale might be your answer here.

But, as above, work out your business plan so you don’t have to continue putting yourself through this confessional process. Protect yourself from this near occassion of sin. Owning a business, is already difficult enough.

Thank You my Friend, I really appreciate your advice and for not judging me. THank you very much, Will you please pray for me. Thank you

 

[Barbkw]

Absolutely, you have my prayers for the continued success of your business.

P.S. People remember excellent customer service and they will pay more to have that provided to them.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In business, there are customers who need a special or a discount. They seem to intentionally enjoy putting business owners between a rock and a hard place.

My advice is to set your prices, stick to them, and have those prices apply to everyone.

That’s the Christian way to treat people. Give up front estimates where you can and stick to that estimate.

As my boss once told me: “Tell them the truth; it confuses them”

 

[baltobetsy]

FRANKYG, I’m glad you have the business part of this straightened out. May I just point out something about the manner of confessing that could make things easier for you? Instead of trying to fit your sins into categories like lying and stealing, just tell what you did. It hardly takes any more time - you could say, “I raised my price and then lowered it so the customer would think it was a sale price.” No worries about whether you have stated things correctly. Give it a try, OK?

Happy Thanksgiving!
Betsy

 

[ciero]

In business, there are customers who need a special or a discount. They seem to intentionally enjoy putting business owners between a rock and a hard place.

My advice is to set your prices, stick to them, and have those prices apply to everyone.

That’s the Christian way to treat people. Give up front estimates where you can and stick to that estimate.

What makes that Christian?

Might be good business…but Christian?

 

[fbl9]

Hello my friends, I have a quick question that is driving me crazy …
Last week I did a job on a customers car, and told him I gave him a $50 discount, but I really didn’t, I raised the price up first and then took off the $50 so I can still make a decent profit. I didnt feel quite right about this, so I confessed it as being a Liar, But never as stealing… My question is , did i REALLY steal?? I know it was dishonest, but was it stealing, Was my previous confession Invalid?? Thank you Very Much …

Was the price increase more than the $50 “discount”? No; then you did not steal, dishonest yes but not stealing. If yes then to me that would be stealing.

 

[teachccd]

Hello my friends, I have a quick question that is driving me crazy …
Last week I did a job on a customers car, and told him I gave him a $50 discount, but I really didn’t, I raised the price up first and then took off the $50 so I can still make a decent profit. I didnt feel quite right about this, so I confessed it as being a Liar, But never as stealing… My question is , did i REALLY steal?? I know it was dishonest, but was it stealing, Was my previous confession Invalid?? Thank you Very Much …

I believe it was more lying than stealing. Your customer could not have known that you raised the price so s/he thought that it was an honest price. Then you said that you offered him/her a $50 discount which you know that you didn’t. Since the customer had no way of knowing the real price then that is where the misleading took place. You initially lied about the real cost of the repairs. The $50.00 deduction is irrelavent since it was the initial price that it was deducted from and that was a false amount. So, in my opinion, you lied to the customer rather than stole from him/her.

Next time be honest even if it cuts into your profits. Your eternal reward is worth quite a bit more than the $50 that you lied about. I agree that when you go to confession just tell the priest exactly what you did and you will be forgiven. Lying, stealing… they both offend God. And your customer doesn’t care if you lie or steal since they would prefer neither… God bless you and maintain your moral decisions as you have demonstrated here… teachccd

 

[Newbie2]

Did you refund the $50?

 

[Big_Dummy]

Thank you both for your responses … Do you guys think I “STOLE” money ?? Thank you

Yes you did, you need to make your confession to the customer you wronged by first sending Her a check for $50. Customers compare notes, and when they discovered that they have been cheated, they can spread all kinds of negative stories about your business. As a business owner you want their return business, and you want possitive word of mouth.