Ebay and moral dilemmas

[Beth76]

I have a friend who sells a certain product that uses the Multi-level marketing thing. You know what I'm talking about one of those companies that uses "home parties" to sell their stuff. I have bought a few products from her and I do like the products, but they are expensive. I've recently discovered that I can get these items on ebay for super cheap. Is it bad of me to buy from ebay instead of my friend?

She's not a close friend. We met on a cruise and continue to keep in touch. We have plans for another cruise together in the future. But we do talk a lot via email. And in fairness, she introduced me to the product. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't even know what it is.

Another things (slightly o/t) how do these people sell this stuff for so cheap? Is this legit? I've seen so much stuff that I can get for less than half price. How do these people afford to do this? Aren't they losing money? I saw a make-up brush that retails for $28 sold for about $8. It was new and in the package.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

People sell this type of stuff on eBay at absolutely no profit, and sometimes even losing money. Often times they do this to rack up their sales points so that they can earn cruises and whatnot. It hurts the people that actually work hard to build their business. Most home party companies have rules that bar you from listing products on ebay, but people do it anyway. I can understand why you want to buy from ebay though, who doesn't want to save money? However if you invite your friend over and she notices the products you have, she'll probably wonder where you got them since you didn't go through her.

 

[caitycaity]

since she is not a close friend i wouldn't worry about it. honestly, even if i had a close friend who sold the stuff i would still buy it on ebay - especially if i had already bought a few things from her.

i feel like, if you bought a few things already, that is all you are "obliged" to do as a friend.

 

[brerrabbit]

This screams of several discussions I have had with friends who have got into Amway, or other multi layer marketing schemes and either tried to get me involved or sell their products to me. In the end these programs are nothing more than legitimized pyramid schemes. You can always find the same or nearly the same product for much less money somewhere else. The companies that provide the products manufacture the product and sell into the program. Cost is added for every layer that the product flows thru. I recruited you so I get a cut, you recruited your friend so you get a cut and the person who buys from your friend pays a higher price and your friend gets a cut. In the end these schemes will never be sustainable because the multi layer distribution and credit system is totally inefficient. Most consumers get po'ed when they have to pay more for something because they have to buy it retail and pay that markup, however a lot of people will pay up big time to get these products because a friend is guilting you into paying more money for something because they are your friend. If you really are my friend and need money that bad just ask me your more likely to get it from that way than trying to sell me some overpriced product.

 

[Beth76]

People sell this type of stuff on eBay at absolutely no profit, and sometimes even losing money. Often times they do this to rack up their sales points so that they can earn cruises and whatnot. It hurts the people that actually work hard to build their business. Most home party companies have rules that bar you from listing products on ebay, but people do it anyway. I can understand why you want to buy from ebay though, who doesn't want to save money? However if you invite your friend over and she notices the products you have, she'll probably wonder where you got them since you didn't go through her.

A lot of these people say they are not affiliated with the company, true or not. So, if they're not, not sure where they're getting the products from.

And my friend won't ever be over at my house. She lives in CA and we only see each other on vacations. I guess you could say we're traveling buddies.

i feel like, if you bought a few things already, that is all you are "obliged" to do as a friend.

I suppose you're right. I have bought 3 items already. And I might buy other things. Actually I just remembered that some of these items are discontinued, so this is the only place I can get them.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Business is business, it isn't personal. You go with whatever deal is best for you.

A real friend wouldn't expect (or want) you to lose money for them.

 

[soccerchick]

Some companies have monthly specials. In my circle of friends, we all went through a "Southern Living at Home phase." They have really good hostess and customer specials each month. At the last one I went to, I bought the special with total plans to sell it on ebay. It wasn't my taste, but was a fantastic deal. You can usually tell what the specials were/are because there is a inundation of them for 4-6 weeks. I actually ended up selling it to another guest at the party (for a small profit) because she wanted a matching set.

Other companies retired/discontinue items and reps aren't supposed to sell them anymore, so I'm sure some of those are on ebay too.

Like another poster said, I'm sure reps aren't supposed to sell on ebay, but many probably do to get the volume. They'll probably sell at their cost or claim it as an expense.

I'd guess a lot of the items you see are from those situations and others. I'm off to check out Sipada and SL@H on ebay now...

 

[pixiemomma]

Business is business, it isn't personal. You go with whatever deal is best for you.

A real friend wouldn't expect (or want) you to lose money for them.

I agree.

 

[Aidensmom]

Some of the stuff on ebay may also be "samples" that were shown at home parties, and are no longer shown or the person is no longer selling them. The two home-party based companies I am familiar with both sell their samples to the consultants at discounted prices.

 

[Chicago526]

I'd imagine some of the e-bayers may be listing them at a loss, hopeing to get sales contacts for the future, counting on the buyers to buy directly from the in the future, although I don't know how realistic that could be.

If you feel loyal to your friend for leading you to this product to begin with, maybe split your orders, do some of it on e-bay (especially for the discontinued stuff) and order one or two things from your friend. You save money over all but still throw some buisness her way.

 

[Beth76]

If you feel loyal to your friend for leading you to this product to begin with, maybe split your orders, do some of it on e-bay (especially for the discontinued stuff) and order one or two things from your friend. You save money over all but still throw some buisness her way.

That's probably what I'll do. I doubt I'd be able to get everything on ebay anyway.

 

[cats mom]

Wouldn't be a dilemma for me at all. I'd go the e-bay route in a heartbeat.

If you were really feeling guilty maybe you could buy an occasional special deal type item from your friend.


My cousin got into the USANA thing and pestered me pretty relentlessly to buy from her... until I showed her what I could get stuff for on e-bay if I wanted it.
She has not mentioned it again.

 

[lulugirl]

Business is business, it isn't personal. You go with whatever deal is best for you.

A real friend wouldn't expect (or want) you to lose money for them.

I agree. I would not feel guilty about buying from whoever had the best price.

 

[drgnfly30]

I am a consultant for two different direct sales companies.. as a consultant I get the merchandise for about 25%-50% less than retail cost which would allow me to sell via ebay & still make a small profit but more so to keep my sales up for incentives etc... HOWEVER, as a consultant we have to sign a contract, one of my companies strictly prohibits any sales of the product via Ebay , the other allows sales on Ebay but only for retired merchandise, no current merchandise. The contracts are pretty specific so that I wouldn't even be allowed to sell it under say my husbands Ebay account. The companies monitor Ebay & will pull your contract in a heartbeat if they catch you.

That being said, if I loved a product, didn't have a consultant & could get the product cheaper on Ebay, I would do it!!!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Here is what a lot of it is: people buy into these companies with HUGE inventories. They then decide that either they can't sell the product or don't want to, but still have the inventory and can't return it. So they sell at a loss, but it is still better than product sitting in box at their house.

I have been a consultant for a party type company. And when I decided to quit, I sold what I could to my customers and put the remaining on ebay.

 

[bicker]

I manage this issue with my mother, who is constantly trying to get me to buy my digital photo equipment and supplies through her husband. His prices (I've seen his order sheets) are typically 15%-25% higher than the typical prices available online (and online includes delivery -- if I buy through him I have to drive 300 miles to pick it up!) I don't feel bad, at all, about buying my supplies at the lower price.

 

[N.Bailey]

IMO, you should buy whatever you wish from wherever you wish. Personally, I'd never pay more than I had to. I buy TONS of video games and DVDs on eBay. I save upward to $30 on some games and at times upward to $10 on DVDs. Even with shipping, it comes out much less than I can buy it in the store (and I only buy factory sealed). I would never allow anything to get between me and a good deal.

I'm sorry you feel it's a moral issues. I just don't see it as such. I certainly wouldn't tell my friend that you're buying it on eBay, but that's exactly where I'd start getting it from.

 

[mickeysgal]

I have a friend who sells a certain product that uses the Multi-level marketing thing. You know what I'm talking about one of those companies that uses "home parties" to sell their stuff. I have bought a few products from her and I do like the products, but they are expensive. I've recently discovered that I can get these items on ebay for super cheap. Is it bad of me to buy from ebay instead of my friend?

I would have no problem buying it off of Ebay. I feel no obligation to overpay for anything that I could get cheaper; nor do I feel that I would need to explain where I got it. Although, if she had the guts to ask, I'd have no problem telling her where I purchased it from.

This is one of the reasons I hate home parties. The feeling that I "have" to buy something thats already overpriced and the fact that I know that if I really "needed" the particular item, I could most likely get it off Ebay far cheaper.

 

[Talking Hands]

A lot of these people say they are not affiliated with the company, true or not. So, if they're not, not sure where they're getting the products from.

And my friend won't ever be over at my house. She lives in CA and we only see each other on vacations. I guess you could say we're traveling buddies.


I suppose you're right. I have bought 3 items already. And I might buy other things. Actually I just remembered that some of these items are discontinued, so this is the only place I can get them.

In some cases it is consultants who have decided to leave the business and are selling samples that they have just to get rid of them.