Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to make money from clothing I'm morally opposed to wearing?

MSE_Kelvin

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

I bought a cute top from a charity shop for £1.50, but when I got home I realised it's partly made from silk - a material I don't wear because of the way it's made. I've looked the top up online and found I could sell it for £15ish. I'm struggling for cash with the cost of living going up, so selling it would help, but is it wrong to make money from it given I'm morally opposed to the way it was made?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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NBLondon

Sell it and donate the profit back to the charity shop - morals satisfied.

CKhalvashi

As you already own it, surely it's better to try to get something from this than it goes to waste (which you will probably be more opposed to the way it's destroyed).

Although much larger amounts, certain events in life has moved my moral compass on certain things from 'this is ok' to 'this is definitely not ok'. I've always preferred to sell (at a fair value, even if that's a loss) than to give away or otherwise dispose of.

JaneHenery

No, you didn't know it was silk when you bought it. The garment's made now, you didn't buy it new and fund silk production, so you're good to sell it on with a free conscience.

sienew

It wasn't bought direct from the manufacturer so they haven't profited from you. Either wear it or sell it.

It's up to you how you spend that money. You could donate the money or you could spend it on something that is valuable to you, that could be simply heating your home this winter or doing something special for yourself or others.

The worst outcome is you throwing it away.

Groom

I wouldn't be so worried about whether it was morally wrong because I objected to the material, as to whether it is wrong to make a profit from something I'd bought from a charity shop. 

Obird63

If you are that morally opposed to it, I would simply donate it back to a charity shop and maybe check the labels before you buy next time... 

bikaga

It's not okay to make profit off something you're morally opposed to. You probably wouldn't be asking strangers if you didn't think that way already.

eversotired

As NBLondon said ‘ Sell it and donate the profit back to the charity shop - morals satisfied.’

BTW, a better dilemma than the usual fayre. 

gothvixen

Personally, I would sell it and split the profit between the charity shop and another relevant charity; I'm not sure about silk moths so maybe butterflies? I love browsing in charity shops and when I see something I know they've drastically underpriced I tell them so they can get more money. A local hospice shop had Golce & Gabbana shoes marked as £5 that they then sold for £80. I couldn't profit myself.

littlemadam

If you really feel bad for profitti g why not split your proceeds 50/50 with the charity shop it’s a win win situation for you both