would this be a sin?

[cuban07]

Suppose an item is in such high demand, everybody wants it and people line up outside the store 5-6 hours prior to opening in order to get their hands on such item. The store would hand out tickets because the item is in limited quantities and a 1 per customer kind of deal.

Anyway this item is in such high demand that alot of people are buying it and reselling it at almost double the price. buy for $300 and sell to those that want it for their children or themselves for $500.

I want to do this because i need the money and those that miss out well i guess they are willing to pay the money. I would put in the labor of waking up at 5 in the A.M…

did i make any sense at all?

 

[DanteAlighieri]

This seems to be the very spirit of capitalism. Unfortunately, it also illustrates that capitalism is apt to take advantage of those in need.

STOP! I am NOT advocating a proletarian revolution!!! Do not tar and feather me!

Capitalism provides the opportunity for one’s hard work and ingenuity to be rewarded. It also, sadly, provides opportunity and ample incentive for one to exploit others. Not saying the system is immoral; merely pointing out that it is rife with people who are.

That said, ask yourself:

1. If demand determines the true value of an item, is it immoral to charge that amount?
2. Is the demand actually determining that value?
3. Is the person to whom you’re selling going to be hurt by that high cost?
4. Is the item immoral itself?

I think 1 is true, and it seems 2 is true. If you’re not knowingly fleecing someone who is nearly broke, and if the item in question isn’t morally reprehensible (porn, for example), I don’t think you’re sinning by doing this.

Whether it’s the best thing you could do is a different story altogether.

Peace,
Dante

 

[cuban07]

This seems to be the very spirit of capitalism. Unfortunately, it also illustrates that capitalism is apt to take advantage of those in need.

STOP! I am NOT advocating a proletarian revolution!!! Do not tar and feather me!

Capitalism provides the opportunity for one’s hard work and ingenuity to be rewarded. It also, sadly, provides opportunity and ample incentive for one to exploit others. Not saying the system is immoral; merely pointing out that it is rife with people who are.

That said, ask yourself:

1. If demand determines the true value of an item, is it immoral to charge that amount?
2. Is the demand actually determining that value?
3. Is the person to whom you’re selling going to be hurt by that high cost?
4. Is the item immoral itself?

I think 1 is true, and it seems 2 is true. If you’re not knowingly fleecing someone who is nearly broke, and if the item in question isn’t morally reprehensible (porn, for example), I don’t think you’re sinning by doing this.

Whether it’s the best thing you could do is a different story altogether.

Peace,
Dante

its a nintendo wii…as for whether the person i would be selling it to is nearly broke, i would have no way of knowing that.

 

[adam_in_ohio]

YOU HAVE A Wii!!! How much?!! I have a house. You…you want my house…! I’ll give it to ya JUST GIVE ME THE Wii:crying:
I am totaly being silly here!!
I say suply and demand. If I buy a vase made in 1850 for $60. Then go and sell it for $600. How is that wrong? So what is different about those crazy shopers wanting a Wii?

 

[Sir_Knight]

Unless you are over-charging for a necessity of life, you can charge WHATEVER you want for something without any worries of sin.

 

[puzzleannie]

in the case of the popular toy, the reseller commits no sin, no matter how much the sucker who buys it is willing to pay, because the sucker knows the true value of the gift, and is paying the reseller for his time standing in line, just has if he had sent one of his own employees over to Best Buys to stand there all night. the sin is on the part of the sucker IMO if he idolizes his children and allows them to manipulate him to the extent he is willing to overpay outrageously for the popular toy, rather than using the money in better ways, but since that was not the question. . .

 

[Leopard]

…Anyway this item is in such high demand that alot of people are buying it and reselling it at almost double the price. buy for $300 and sell to those that want it for their children or themselves for $500…

:ehh: $500 for a wii? I guess there is one born every minute. That’s half a mortgage payment.