Suspicious Merchandise

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Timmay

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:rolleyes: Hello all,

A moral question coming up right now. I already think I know the answer, but I’ve been getting advice conflicting with my instincts. So I thought I’d see what others thought. Here’s what’s up…

I have a friend with great business connections that regularly gets good deals on all kinds of things. Overstock items and bulk sales and all that stuff. He has a deal right now that he offered me on some laptops he’s getting pretty cheap, because he knows I’ll need one for school this fall.

The thing is, when I heard the price, I thought it was too good to be true. My first thought was they had to be stolen. I asked him if they were, and he said he didn’t know, and couldn’t possibly ask that without offending his dealer. So he said he couldn’t answer yes or no on that. Though I have no info on this dealer, I know my friend has sometimes dealt with some shady people in the past, so it’s not out of the question.

I have no proof and no reason to suspect the merchandise is stolen other than the gut feeling that the price is too good to be legit, and the fact that he’s dealt with questionable people a few times in the past.

My instincts tell me to pass on the deal, just in case. But some of what I’ve read (including in these forum archives) tells me otherwise; that baseless suspicion doesn’t mean it’s true and I shouldn’t worry about it, and that even if I found out afterwards that it is stolen that I wouldn’t be guilty of the sin or of being an accomplice to the sin. But that just doesn’t feel right to me.

So, opinions? I could really use the computer and save the money, but not at the price of my soul. 🙂 I plan to follow my gut and pass on this, but thought I’d see what others here thought.

Looking forward to reading your opinions. Thanks!
 
If your friend cannot vouch for his supplier, that too can lead to the suspicion that the items may not have been obtained from the original manufacturer legally.

I happen to be a computer expert and I used to own a computer store. There is very little profit margin on computer hardware or software, in the range of 3 - 5% profit margin. Which means that a computer which you may pay $1000 may have cost the retailer $950 for the privilege of then paying an employee to put it on the shelf and another employee to ring up the purchase.

Name brand computers are often stolen. They are also often counterfeit and imported from China. This the case of counterfeits, there will be no warranty and the version of Windows may be pirated as well. That will cause you problem when you connect to the internet and try to get updates to Windows from Microsoft. In the cases of pirated copies of Windows, Microsoft can legally disable the Windows program on your computer if you connect to their web site.

In the case of a name shipment of name brand computers that were stolen, the result may be different. When you register the computer and supply the serial number, it is possible that the manufacturer will know that it was in the batch of machines that were stolen. They now have your name and address. You may find yourself in the position of having to answer some uncomfortable questions.

Your gut is telling you it is too good to be true. Your gut is probably right. You may consider becoming equally suspicious of your friends other “good deals”.
 
“My instincts tell me to pass on the deal, just in case.”

This is your conscience talking. Listen to it. 👍
 
Legally you are an accomplice and the equipment could be siezed and you will be out all of the money. Moraly you are guilty also. Through your concious, you have been warned.

You should contact the police and ask their advice. You may be able to get them to agree to put the money up front, they run the serial numbers, and then if they are legal you keep the computer, if not you don’t loose out and may help spare other future victims.
 
Royal archer is correct. Could this be a test of your goodness by God? Whatever, you must do the right thing and notify the authorities of your suspicions. Even if you do not buy the computer you have a duty to report this to put an end to the thefts. You’ll sleep better knowing you have done the right thing.
 
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