Money Moral Dilemma: Is it OK to sell items from pound shops online for a profit?

JaneHenery

Well, you are profiteering, aren't you? That's what capitalism is, profiteering. So that's not the question you should be asking yourself. You need to ask yourself which parts of your profiteering you are not comfortable with. Obviously this is upsetting your moral compass at some level, or you wouldn't be asking us, so you shouldn't ignore that. If, for example, you are  lying about the pound store goods you resell, or misrepresenting them in some way, then that's just lying, or even fraudulent. If you are just selling at profit with no fibbing then you're just making a profit, good old capitalism. That's what ethical companies are, they make a profit without exploiting anyone, either their manufacturer or the public by, for example, over-inflating prices. So you need to look at your business practices and see what, if anything, is upsetting your moral compass, then make some rules for yourself. Stick to your own personal 'profiteering code' and you're good. There's no earthly reason, when we are all forced into the capitalist system, that you shouldn't join in and try and climb up it. That's free enterprise. 

soolin

JaneHenery said:

Well, you are profiteering, aren't you? That's what capitalism is, profiteering. So that's not the question you should be asking yourself. You need to ask yourself which parts of your profiteering you are not comfortable with. Obviously this is upsetting your moral compass at some level, or you wouldn't be asking us, so you shouldn't ignore that. If, for example, you are  lying about the pound store goods you resell, or misrepresenting them in some way, then that's just lying, or even fraudulent. If you are just selling at profit with no fibbing then you're just making a profit, good old capitalism. That's what ethical companies are, they make a profit without exploiting anyone, either their manufacturer or the public by, for example, over-inflating prices. So you need to look at your business practices and see what, if anything, is upsetting your moral compass, then make some rules for yourself. Stick to your own personal 'profiteering code' and you're good. There's no earthly reason, when we are all forced into the capitalist system, that you shouldn't join in and try and climb up it. That's free enterprise. 

I can see no reference to OP being upset about his business model - only concerns about comments re profiteering. It would be a very poor business to not profit from running it, otherwise why bother? 

Spoonie_Turtle

Profiting ≠ profiteering.

Profiting is buying something and selling for more than it cost (and more than postage costs, etc.). 

Profiteering has the moral connotations, e.g. buying up all the supply of something (especially essentials) and selling for a profit - meaning people have no choice but to pay the inflated price.

In the OP there was no reference either way to clearing out the stocks of the pound shop; in the irate response upthread it seems the poster assumed that's what they are doing.  Most of the other responses seem to assume they are not.

juliebunny

I used to think these were made up aswell until I submitted one and had it published!! And no I'm not saying which one it was 🤣🤣🤣

Some people can't make it out to the shops for disability or other reasons so the OP is offering a service. 

Also, not everything is a pound now by any stretch and some that is a pound is 79p at Home Bargains. Its business.

primrose_penguin

I remember during lockdown trying to buy a well known anti bacterial/virus work surface spray that I could normally buy for £2 being sold on amazon/eBay for ridiculous amounts by individuals obviously trying to profit from the situation and shortages, I would not buy it at the time and cannot understand those who did?? If people are accusing you of profiteering why do they buy off you, they must have a good idea what the items costs before buying? I suppose it is not much different to purchasing things at charity shops if you  have a good eye, and selling them on at a higher price. Just don't get too greedy

pulliptears

Few years ago I drove an unusual car that was difficult to buy accessories for in the UK.  One day, by accident, I discovered that cargo nets from Poundland fit the mount points in the boot of the car as if they had been made for it.  You couldn't buy specific nets for it in the UK, so I bought a few and sold them to other owners making a nice little profit.
I think by the end of my venture most UK owners had one of my nets

No guilt from me.

vacheron

If you spot a bargain and sell it to those who need it at a price they are happy to pay, I don't see a problem as long as any taxable trading gains are declared.

I have had a couple of occasions where I have found something at a far lower price than it was for sale for elsewhere, or with a big price break if you buy a few. Sometimes I will buy a few and put the others up for sale. 

This has never made me any huge profit, but often enough to cover the price of the original item(s) I wanted for myself. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

This topic reminds me of Dave Gorman's poundshop buys and eBay selling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eMK9boQc2M

jedav

I guess that the answer depends on whether you're the person making a profit or someone buying something they could have bought much more cheaply elsewhere.  The latter would probably feel cheated if they realised, but part of that would be their own responsibility in not researching the purchase.  The mark up you quote seems large.  One should only pay what one thinks something is worth (easier said than done with sale "bargains").

tastyfish

This one’s easy, there’s no dilemma. It’s literally how every business works. As for those questioning how much you’re making, not sure why that matters, the amount you make for the effort you put in is entirely up to you. But you do need to declare it if you’re making an amount that has tax implications. I say fair play to you.