Friday, May 18, 2007

RE: Online Auctions and Ethics

I need a little feedback. Is it considered unethical to auction items which will actually ship from a third party?

Example:
XYZ Corp has a 1-month offer for ABC Home Theater Systems at only $100 plus shipping.
These systems normally RETAIL for $200.

So Mr. Ethically Unaware lists 10 at an online auction with a reserve of $150 plus shipping. After a week, the auction closes with three persons meeting the reserve and making payment electronically.

At which point, the Mr. Ethically Unaware purchases the systems via the ABC website and has them shipped direct to the buyers.

Is that unethical?


__________________
I would have to say that there doesn't seem to be anything unethical about it. I can see a lot of problems stemming from this sort of sale, but as long you don't lie in the auction about the product or where it is coming from there isn't anything morally or ethically wrong.

Fuz

------------------
-Do we have any sort of plan?
-Ride `till we find them, then kill them all.

0 comments: