IS THIS ETHICAL?

[GRANDPA]

[b]My nephew-in-law recently won a certificate for one weeks boarding at a dog kennel. The value is $120, & he's trying to sell it on Facebook for $10. I have a problem with that. I don't think that's right to sell something you win for free. Not only that, he doesn't even have a dog. He enters a lot of contests & wins a lot. Last week, he won a day pass for a family of four (which he does have) at a place called Slide City. He has given away something of the things he's won, but this is the first time I know of that he's selling a prize. I've not said anything to him about it. I just don't get it. Opinions? [b]

[BillB]

If he won it, it is his.
I don't see anything unethical about selling it.
I think he's selling it too cheap.

If he had won a car, would it be unethical to sell it?
Could he drive it for 5 years then trade it in?
That is a form of selling it.
I don't see anything wrong with any of it.

[millergrovesue]

It's not unethical by definition but it stinks to me too, Grouchy. He should have never entered the contest in the first place. The contest was for dog owners who would possibly benefit and for the business to promote themselves. He pretty much made a mockery of the whole thing. And he's a cheapskate to boot selling the prize for $10. Clearly it's not about the money for him.

[Red Oak]

I say it is his "hobby" to enter contests, he won, the prize is his to do what he wants with.

Trying to sell it at less than ten cents on the dollar is pretty much giving it away, so I don't think greed is motivating him.

Seems like a great deal for someone that needs to board a pooch.

[Sangersteve]

He won it fair and square, now he is trying to pass along his win to someone who needs it, for cheap. Good for him..

[Kiamichi]

I don't understand what the objection is.

[GFB]

If there is an unethical part, it's that he entered the contest at all.

He has no dog, and besides denying a "legitimate" winner, he sold what he won to someone that probably didn't enter the contest at all.

..and that denied the business their direct dealing with the customers THEY would benefit from rewarding.

[ralph]

I see no problem with what the nephew is doing . When you win the prize is YOUR prize as far as I am concerned !!

[GRANDPA]

I guess so. In a way it's like the guy who wins a Ferrari but trades it in for a Town & Country for his wife & 5 kids. But I still have a problem with him entering a contest for a prize he can not use & no intention of using. Or maybe I just don't like the fact he wins so damn often. All I ever won was a new bicycle from Western Auto when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. The next day the Sting Ray craze hit & I'm now stuck with the 24" Dorkcycle.

[RaisinCain]

If someone wins something, it becomes their owned property. They then have the right to do whatever they wish with their property.

The only difference in my mind would be if the prize were originally designated as non-transferable, or if the company providing the prize asked that it be used by the original winner. If the providing company is not concerned, neither am I.

[BillB]

I don't see a problem and haven't since the thread was first posted.
If a rich man enters and wins the lottery, is that unethical, because he doesn't need the money?

[glenn/dallas]

.this forum has problems in execution. I hit quote, but that didnt show up in my statement. made it look like i said what I was trying to copy to quote.

[millergrovesue]

.this forum has problems in execution. I hit quote, but that didnt show up in my statement. made it look like i said what I was trying to copy to quote.

It worked for me.

And this thread is a great study in how differently we individuals see the ethics of a relatively minor issue. No wonder we see the major ones so differently.

[crocmommy]

Did he sell the dog boarding? Darn...I would have bought it if it wasn't too far from me. Dog boarding doesn't come cheap.

[GRANDPA]

That I don't know. How far are you from Valley Center, KS?

[crocmommy]

That I don't know. How far are you from Valley Center, KS?

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Heh...funny guy...that's a little too far to make sense for me!