Re-selling for more than retail... - Page 5

[kblue]

Originally Posted by Beanie Mama

Now I know some mamas are in favor of a socialist diaper market where there is one price for all and those will money will not have an advantage by being able to offer a more money for a coveted dipe.

Oh dear God, that is NOT me! :LOL Far from a socialist and I totally LOVE buying fun expensive diapers when I can! I also agree that what your dh does is provide something to someone who would not have access to it otherwise. For him, it is a business.

BUT, I just still see the TP as a special community and buying diapers with the intent to sell them for more money HERE (not ebay - that's another story) seems unethical to me. Even buying them with the intent to use them, but finding out they don't work and selling them for profit still seems unethical.

I don't have a concrete reason for why *I* think it is okay in other markets (real estate, ebay), but inapproriate here. It's just the way I feel, KWIM.

[babygirl24]

I just think if a mama can sell it for more because of demand and probably needs the money/income then I just don't have a problem with it.

[KayleeZoo]

I've thought about this thread and something else came to mind. Sometimes there is a situation that necessitates people selling diapers for profit. I'm not talking about selling just to "make money" but selling to pay bills, buy something else that their family needs, etc. My own small example is this: I had an opportunity to purchase a brand new Kiwi Pie for Lexi on the TP. I fell victim to the "it's so gorgeous, I'll just save it a bit longer and pet it but not let her pee in it " syndrome, and it sat on the shelf. Then I needed to fund a purchase to help a friend out. My diapers are my only real "liquidatable" (I know I made that word up ) asset. I can't take $$ out of the house money sometimes to pay for other things, so sometimes I resort to selling in-demand items for cash. I put the KP on ebay, knowing that market value would give me a bigger return, because I needed it. The mama who bought it is happy, I'm happy because I got to help someone who means a lot to me (but sad because I don't have the KP anymore- but I was too chicken to use it anyway). I also recently sold 3 Kiwi Pie covers that weren't working well for us anymore (size-wise) on the TP and through a private sale here on MDC for very small amounts of $$, compared to the market value, because the mamas really wanted them and couldn't afford what they would have brought on ebay and one of them helped me out with another stocking of sorts.

Anyway, just wanted to remind everyone that sometimes selling for a profit isn't about trying to take advantage of the "community" aspect of the diapering mamas here- sometimes it's about needing money. Just my .02

[babygirl24]

BUT, I just still see the TP as a special community and buying diapers with the intent to sell them for more money HERE (not ebay - that's another story) seems unethical to me. Even buying them with the intent to use them, but finding out they don't work and selling them for profit still seems unethical.

I see your point about the community and not doing it here, but what about when a mama sells something in EC on TP well below a reasonable price? I have not seen it often, but I have seen it. She doesn't say it is a gift or out of generosity. Is that just assumed?

[Too Busy]

I understand Kellie...

I'm such a geek, but I have been following this thread and thinking about it all day! CDing is such an INTERESTING study in economics and marketing. Nearly all of the business done by WAHMs is via word of mouth (WOM) with little investment in traditional forms of advertising. That is AMAZING! I am hard pressed to find another product that is like that.

And the hyena-effect economics make this a terrific microstudy in monopoly economics... especially since most WAHMs do not charge nearly what the actual equilibrium price would be. Just facinating! :

[Izzybee]

Originally Posted by natesmommy126

I heard it said in this thread that the WAHM needs to raise her prices. Probably true. Goodness knows we could all use an extra buck or two. But, what if they all do that, and then you can't buy a handmade diaper for less than 25.00-30.00? Then, you have driven up the prices so high that some people will never own a WAHM diaper because they can't afford it. That would be horrible, IMO. I know most WAHM's aren't in this to strike it rich. They want to offer cloth diapering to those who choose to do, and in a cost effective manner. And, most of all, they want to do so while raising their children.

I think that it would be awesome if all the hyena dipe makers would raise their prices way high. Not only because obviously these poop holders are very desirable and important to some and the wahm would make more money, but also because this would increase demand for newer wahms, who sell their dipes for below what they are worth because they have to, to get sales.


I don't think it's wrong to sell for more than what you paid for it. If people are willing to pay, and you need the money, then why not?
I do think it's wrong if you're taking advantage of someone, as some posters have mentioned.

[ChattyCat]

That's all I was really ever trying to get across. Just don't take advantage of people. I know some people need money and you do what you have to do. And, if there's that much of a demand for serious hyena dipes, then the whams making them should jack up their prices. They deserve to get more, if people are willing to pay it.

[wildflowerjenn]

Hyena dipes are an interesting study in economics... it would be fun to get an economics professor interested enough in the subject to make it a research project for a class.

My business-minded opinion... hyena diaper-wahms would do well selling their products exclusively through auctions so consumer demand can dictate the proper selling price for a new product. Then the wahm would be assured a fair market price for her product. If the product increases in value and sells for more than the original price later on, obviously there is still plenty of demand to fuel her current sales.

[radish]

don't have an issue with this. My DH actually makes a living doing this selling video games on eBay. He works very hard going to retail stores and doing research on eBay to see what things are selling and buying them. Listing takes forever as well. As does dealing with non-paying bidders, mailing and all the paperwork.

He's not a theif or a scalper. He is providing a product to someone who may not have access to it where they live, hence driving the price of that item up. Its basic economics.

I see diapers as being the same way. I am a terrible hyena. The worst! So basically the only access I have to hyena items is thru the TP or eBay. Because I desperately want certain items (b/c I'm silly or they work for us, whatever!) and they are not available to me I am willing to pay somewhat in excess of the regular retail. I would GLADLY pay the WAHM in excess of her price to allow me to purchase her diapers, but she doesn't operate that way. Therefore, I have to go via an alternate route.

Excellent point mama!!!!!!

[radish]

I dont see a problem with it either. I mean why is it mean or not nice? I dont really see it as taking advantage of someones generosity - they arent giving you money - they are getting something in return.

Regarding ebay -
Why is listing it on the TP so different than selling by auction - just cutting to the chase, YKWIM? If anything, I am sure some hyenas are happy to see a fixed price and the opportunity to snatch it up as opposed to ebay.



Maybe I am in the dark, but are there really mamas who regulary do this? I am on ebay and the TP A LOT and have not noticed. Anyone else??

ETA:
Regarding WAHMs -
They should raise their prices. Really. I dont want to think of anyone "doing me a favor". I think all WAHMs should charge fair price for thrie time.

[norcalmommy]

Originally Posted by radish

Regarding ebay -
Why is listing it on the TP so different than selling by auction - just cutting to the chase, YKWIM? If anything, I am sure some hyenas are happy to see a fixed price and the opportunity to snatch it up as opposed to ebay.

Why do you need 60 days as a member and 50 posts? Because here it's more of a community and the TP is a privilege to its members. Ebay is a random free-for-all that any Joe-schmo can sell in.

[radish]

Oh I understand the community thing - I just think some mamas are happy that hyena dipes are placed on the TP *before* ebay (even if it is for above retail)

[hunnybumm]

I don't see why most seem to think that it isn't ok to sell something above retail on the TP but it is ok to let an auction go above retail on eBay. They could easily put a buy it now price of the retail price, plus you can add on a couple dollars for shipping. It is the same principal to sell something above retail rather it is an auction or a flat out sell. Just because this is a community shouldn't matter. That is like saying it's ok to cheap strangers but not our friends.

As far as if it is right or not, I could care less. I have never been in the possition to be able to make money off of a diaper. I also can't say that I wouldn't list something on eBay and let it go way above retail because I have never had anything worth that. I did pay about retail for a used KSS, it was in pretty good condition but there is no way I would sell it for the same price I bought it for because it is in worse shape.

And the point that someone made saying she thought it was ok if the momma really "needed" the money for something like bills or food. I don't agree that because the momma needs the money it is ok. She shouldn't have put her self in the possition to have such an expensive item if she couldn't afford it. I don't think the need of money is really an attribute as to whether it is ok or not.

This is JMO.

[kblue]

Originally Posted by hunnybumm

I don't see why most seem to think that it isn't ok to sell something above retail on the TP but it is ok to let an auction go above retail on eBay. They could easily put a buy it now price of the retail price, plus you can add on a couple dollars for shipping.

Because the seller does not control how high it goes on ebay. Sure, they could set a BIN, and many do. But once a bid is placed, the BIN disappears and the final price of the item is out of the seller's hands. Even if a seller doesn't do a BIN, it is still different than setting a price on the TP. The seller isnt "letting" it go above retail, the bidders are. Very different, IMO.

[Just*Lindsay]

And the point that someone made saying she thought it was ok if the momma really "needed" the money for something like bills or food. I don't agree that because the momma needs the money it is ok. She shouldn't have put her self in the possition to have such an expensive item if she couldn't afford it. I don't think the need of money is really an attribute as to whether it is ok or not.

This is JMO.

Well...This statement kinda bugs me. Ever been in a pinch? I personally havent had to sell diapers to make money but...what if you had plenty of money 3 months ago and now u dont...Now u cant sell an item on ebay to get the money back? It just sounds silly to me! You can be rich one month...and poor the next....I dont think there is anything wrong with buying something you can afford just to sell it later if you find ur in a pinch. Sometimes u gotta think about feeding your family or pleasing MDC b/c they dont think I should sell this item....PERSONALLY, Id feed my family, thank you!

[radish]

I think I am most bothered by the judgement here and in general in the diapering forum.

Mamas judging how much we spend on dipes, or time spent stalking, etc. We all agree that it is unfair and not nice to judge, right? I think the same applies here.

I dont sell my dipes for more than retail but I dont care if someone does. Maybe the Mama is in a pinch. She shouldnt have to answer to me. Just like I dont wanna answer to anyone about the $$ I spend on CDs. I *could* tell them 50% of my stash is from WAHM trades/barters but I dont think I should have to, YK?? I dont think it is productive to go on about it.

[danzarooni]

:

[natesmommy126]

Originally Posted by radish

Regarding WAHMs -
They should raise their prices. Really. I dont want to think of anyone "doing me a favor". I think all WAHMs should charge fair price for thrie time.

No one is doing anyone a favor, but as a WAHM I am trying to promote cloth diapering, both for the children and the environment (and many other reasons as well), and if the prices of cloth skyrocket, then we are just going to drive the general public even more towards sposies. That's not a good thing, IMO. I would love to see all children in cloth, even though I know that's not possible in today's society. I also won't/can't afford to work for free. There has to be a balance between it all.

[kblue]

Hmm, I don't see it as judging. I asked out of curiousity. I want to know what people think about items being re-sold over retail. I don't see that as judging how much people pay. We're all just sharing our opinions on this.

ETA: I don't appreciate it when people criticize what we spend on diapers either. This thread isn't about that. It's about the ethics of re-selling.

[KayleeZoo]

And the point that someone made saying she thought it was ok if the momma really "needed" the money for something like bills or food. I don't agree that because the momma needs the money it is ok. She shouldn't have put her self in the possition to have such an expensive item if she couldn't afford it. I don't think the need of money is really an attribute as to whether it is ok or not.

Just to clarify, I wasn't condoning putting your family in financial jeopardy to buy diapers- I've never done it and never will. I have never had to sell diapers to pay bills or buy food- but I can understand how someone might, like Lindsay pointed out, have money to spend one month and then get in a tight spot a few months down the road. If selling highly sought after cloth diapers will bring in cash flow that your family needs, who wouldn't do that? I needed $200 last Christmas to buy a friend's little girl a bird so I sold a bunch of Fireflies. That was the only thing I had that I could liquidate and not take things away from our family, at that time. I don't think selling to make $$ as long as you're not intentionally taking advantage with a malicious intent unethical.