Money Moral Dilemma: Should I sell the books I got for free from my old job?

MSE_Kelvin

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

I've just left a job at a specialist book publisher, where I received a free copy of each book I was involved with. Being specialist titles, they're not of interest to me and are now gathering dust. They are expensive to buy, so I thought I could make a bit of extra cash for Christmas by selling them. I wasn't asked to return them before I left, but despite this, my wife thinks I should check whether my previous employer wants them back first.

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bargainbetty

If the books were gifts freely given, they are your belongings and you may do what you want with them. If they were the property of the publisher you would have had to return them when you left. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Check your contract?  That should tell you if the books were expected to be returned.

EmmaBadgeParry

Knickers!   Sell them, if they wanted them back they should have asked for them at an exit interview.  Don’t go chasing a company that has probably forgotten who you are already. 

istorey

What would the company do with the books if you returned them? They would hardly sell them as they are essentially second hand. Also they gave you the books and unless it was written in your employment contract that they retain the right to the books they are essentially yours to do with as you wish. If they hound you for them say you gave them away as they were of no interest to you. Sell them!

Hadenoughofitall

Sell them.

honestcove

Are you sure you received a free copy? Such awards would normally be taxed by the employer as employee benefits.

primrose_penguin

Why would your old employer give you free books if they were not for your to keep? It sounds like they are your property now and if you don't want them you are surely entitled to sell them.

someone

I would sell them, unless there was any chance that a copy might be very valuable in the future (as they sound like 1st editions) ... any chance one of the authors might be a future nobel prize winner?

brionyrose

The publishers I have worked for have variously given gratis copies to employees to take home, or desk copies that may not be removed from the office. I haven't come across a publisher that will permit gratis to be sold, although they can sometimes be given away to book charities (with the corner chopped off to indicate not for resale) or pulped. If they're taking up space, I'd give them back to the publisher.

thedr

Don’t sell them if you’ve just left your job. But don’t ask them if they want them back. Give it a year then, if they haven’t been asked for, sell them.