geekhack

geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 00:58:12

Title: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 00:58:12
I wanted to get people's opinion if it was reasonable to buy and resell items at $1-$5 USD profit per item. Is it unethical to do so or is it not that bad?
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: fanpeople on Sun, 22 February 2015, 01:27:03
How much is the item worth in the first place?

I would guess that it would depend on turnover of product. I think that 10-30% mark-up on selling stuff part time is reasonable 20-40% if its ebay and your dealing with fees and you can get things wholesale. But then again it depends on how much you can get the item for in comparison to its usual retail price and how much people are willing to pay.

I think that if its a common item or there is a substitute easily available than you will find your price dictated by the market if you wanted to sell a decent amount.

But this is just me throwing out ideas, there is no established knowledge behind any of what I have said, man Sundays are becoming boring for me.   
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 01:28:49
when you mentioned eBay, it reminded me of my dad selling an ultrasound machine for 3k when he got it for like $10 at a college resale.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: fanpeople on Sun, 22 February 2015, 01:31:13
when you mentioned eBay, it reminded me of my dad selling an ultrasound machine for 3k when he got it for like $10 at a college resale.

Your dad sounds like a smart man. What are you selling I am curious or is it just odds and ends?
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Altis on Sun, 22 February 2015, 01:56:38
I don't think it's so much the sale price vs actual value that would be unethical. You can set your price at whatever you like and it's up to people to decide if they want to make that deal. There are tons of things that are overpriced.

Where I see ethical concerns is when you know somebody doesn't understand or know what they're getting (selling someone something you know they don't need, selling fakes, not disclosing certain information, and so on).

Another would be taking advantage of someone's despair in time of need (selling food at ridiculous prices when there is hunger).

So if it's just that you got a good deal on something and sell it higher, power to you. There is a ton of business that operates under this principle. If the items are unique or rare, then really your profit can be considered the fee for finding and preparing the items. $1-5 is quite a low profit margin, too.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 01:58:41
I was actually talking about keycap and keycap sets. My dad just got lucky because he knew what it was worth and no one did at the time.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:24:46
Bearing in mind what triggered the creation of this thread, I suspect that you are opening a can of worms asking something like that, especially without giving the background information or explaining exactly what you are buying/selling.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:27:04
I wrote it up there on my other post before this. Btw the guy that spurred this thread's creation just got a warning so I guess it doesn't really matter :P
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: baldgye on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:37:34
Do what you want (without hurting others), carry yourself how you want others to see you and give zero ****s.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:44:10
Done  :thumb:
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Dihedral on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:45:31
Well... /r/mk hates you :P (https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2wq3tz/scumbag_utourneycollector/)
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:47:15
No they don't. Dota2Trade hates me more ^_^ I once posted my inventory for a PC and got a toooooon of downvotes.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 03:56:20
The guy made the exact same comment Willy27 did lol. He made a new account just to post that.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Willyc277 on Sun, 22 February 2015, 04:13:35
The guy made the exact same comment Willy27 did lol. He made a new account just to post that.

That is not my account and it's obviously not new.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: baldgye on Sun, 22 February 2015, 04:32:43
Lrn2pm
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 22 February 2015, 04:33:29
ur asking a forum that regularly resells pieces of plastic for over 100 percent mark up
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 04:46:44
ur asking a forum that regularly resells pieces of plastic for over 100 percent mark up
One day I will get your soul in BB form.
EDIT: Your soul.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Willyc277 on Sun, 22 February 2015, 04:51:58
Synjin would you mind refunding that e-check I've been asking you to refund for a few hours now?
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Synjin on Sun, 22 February 2015, 05:15:06
Idk what youa re typing since I placed you on ignore. I really don't want to argue anymore  :p
EDIT: Just read your post. Going to PM you  :thumb:
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Willyc277 on Sun, 22 February 2015, 08:51:31
Idk what youa re typing since I placed you on ignore. I really don't want to argue anymore  :p
EDIT: Just read your post. Going to PM you  :thumb:
Dude I'm just trying to get refund on the payment I sent you that hasn't even cleared yet.
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: foxer on Sun, 22 February 2015, 09:04:21
Show us your Dota2 inventory. Or link Steam profile. :D
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sun, 22 February 2015, 09:46:21
What did I miss?
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: Fire Brand on Sun, 22 February 2015, 09:53:51
What did I miss?
Pretty much what you said ray, also onto the subject in the first post if it is key related I would say sell for what you paid + the you paid for shipping so you basically lose nothing or if its key sets mark down according to condition
Title: Re: Reasonable?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 22 February 2015, 10:22:57
I don't think you guys understand how the economy works..