Money Moral Dilemma: Should I sell my unwanted prize or give it away for free?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

​I won a prize in a recent competition but I don’t want it. My friend was interested in it so I suggested selling it to them at a price. They think I should give it to them for free as I won it. What should I do?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

fourxxxx

Sell it. Your friend might decide after a few months that she doesn't want it and then sell it on herself. NEVER give away free stuff.

Dormouse1940

Surely it depends what it is...?

pate-ci0

"They think I should give it to them for free as I won it."
Rubbish; it doesn't matter how you got the item, it is now yours. How you want to dispose of it is also your right. Sell it, give it away or destroy it, no-one has any say over what you do.

If you want to work out how much time and effort it takes to win a prize, the monetary value of that would probably be many times greater than actually paying for it in the first place, so the idea that you got it for "free" is actually a fallacy.

Do what you think is right, but given the attitude of the friend, I would require full retail price less 10% discount for second hand goods.

LeeRits

Depends on what it is. If it was a £500 phone then obviously sell it. If its a £20 pair of shoes I'd just give them away or tell them next time you order a takeout, they're paying for your portion

mjm3346

Entirely up to you providing the T&Cs allow you to sell it.

Moneybot

Not really seeing this as a moral dilemma

Moral dilemmas are thought experiments which ask you to imagine a difficult situation and decide what you think the morally correct course of action would.

Blueyez

pate-ci0 wrote: »

"They think I should give it to them for free as I won it."
Rubbish; it doesn't matter how you got the item, it is now yours. How you want to dispose of it is also your right. Sell it, give it away or destroy it, no-one has any say over what you do.

If you want to work out how much time and effort it takes to win a prize, the monetary value of that would probably be many times greater than actually paying for it in the first place, so the idea that you got it for "free" is actually a fallacy.

Do what you think is right, but given the attitude of the friend, I would require full retail price less 10% discount for second hand goods.

I've given prizes to family/friends because they couldn't afford to buy the item- whether it was for them or to gift to someone else- I've always offered the prize up & probably wouldn't even offer if there was an air of expectancy around it. I'd find someone more grateful/keep it/sell it/donate. Each time they have tried to give me at least half of the prizes retail value which I always politely decline. The OP is right, the item is now yours & it's up to you. The friend has poor manners.

One-Eye

Sell it and give some of the proceeds to charity. Tell "friend" that you have made a donation in their name.

dc64

Then people say why enter competitions for things you don't want?

I_luv_cats

dc64 wrote: »

Then people say why enter competitions for things you don't want?

If sell what you don't want you can buy what you do want.