Ethics and Ebay

Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Midwest

So I like a little money on the side just like the next guy...but what is the rule with buying things on clearance and selling them on ebay. Or is it just unethical? Help me know the truth or help me understand that I should not feel bad for doing such things?

Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 110

if you are buying the same stuff that is available to the retail public, no issue

I would guess if you are using your discount, maybe unethical.
If you are having someone set you a special price, maybe unethical.

but let's face it, so much of the time it is about being in the right place at the right time, and the deals can be had, no discount, no special price

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 55

If you are using your discount and selling them for a profit you can be terminated because its against policy.
If you are not using your discount and get caught, you would have to prove you didn't use your discount.
I think its against policy either way, but I'm not sure.
I don't think it is unethical if the product was already on clearance. But if you got someone to lower the price, just so you could resell it, that would be unethical.
Don't know if it would be worth the time and effort and possible losing your job over.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 463

I don't think it's unethical. What if years later someone has a yard sale and sells something?

Can't have it both ways. Just like most of the prices at lowes are higher then that of some other retailers. I just checked that new rca tv antenna. It's 25% more at lowes...why? Make a list of items and google them. The easiest ones would be tools, electrical, some of hardware and small appliances...if it's OK for the company to have such high margins then why is it not ok for someone to make a profit?

Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 18

Ethics is what ever Lowes wants it to be.

Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 55

No, ethics are ethics. Lowe's may have policies regarding ethics, but it is the individual who decides their own ethical viewpoints.

As far as the comments about "if it's OK for the company to have such high margins then why is it not ok for someone to make a profit?" It is because you are then competing with your own company, which is against a majority of workplaces out there.
I myself wouldn't do it, but like I said above, if there is something on the clearance cart at a discount, and you sold it for a profit, it is a lot different then getting someone to mark down the item so you could do the same thing. The other point I was trying to make was that if you do do it, don't use your discount , and save every receipt. Because if you ever get questioned about it, you at least would be able to prove you didn't use your employee discount.

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

I believe it is OK to resell an item. Buying off a clearance cart that is open to the public and employees, then selling that item is fine. Now, it is yours to do as you wish. Lowes no longer owns it. Another example would be as follows: let's say you are having a Grand Poobah coming in for a visit the next day at your store. Managers want the store void of all clearance items on carts and in the isleways. At closing time these items are offered for really low prices, pennies on the dollar. You do not need your discount card to purchase them and if there are any leftover customers, they are offered the deal also. You buy item. They are yours to do with as you wish. Not Lowes. But then one the other hand, your discount card gives you a 10% discount. Some Contractors are offered the same deal of a 10% discount. They sell the item that they purchased under discount to the customer for full retail. Both the Lowes employee and the contractor are given discounts. Why then, is the contractor allowed to profit and the employee is not? Both people own the item, not Lowes. In a way, it is a partial compensation for the hosing you receive as a Lowes employee. Lowes profits from the contractor through sales and Lowes profits from the employee through unethical treatment and low wages. The bottom line is this: when you purchase an item at Lowes, or anywhere else, you are now the legal owner. The employee discount card is a benefit given to all employees of Lowes, just as vacation time is.

It is a choice a person has to make. The intent of the discount card is to offset cost to the employee. But if you choose to resell the item later (no longer need it or wrong for application), no harm done. You are not obligated to keep an item for the rest of your life, if you purchased through a Lowes discount card. But if you use the discount card for the sole purpose of profiting, that is ethnically wrong.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 463

Let me sort of expand a bit here. If someone is constantly doing this then certainly that's wrong. If it's some random item here or there then it isn't that big of a thing.

Reminds me where my father worked...there was a guy that was placing an order for uniforms...and apparently he worked part time at a place that sold work clothing...oddly enough his order was from that place with a full commission to him...that's obviously wrong and was denied

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Region 1

Folks, don't complicate this issue: If you're shopping at the store as a CUSTOMER (meaning off-the-clock) and you buy something WITHOUT using your employee discount card, the item(s) you buy are yours to do with whatever you want. If you want to sell them to a buddy or put them on ebay and create a 1000% profit "Just Do It!" as Phil Knight would say. Ethics don't come into play. Viva la capitalism.

Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 12

Nightstalker - the biggest difference betwixt a contractor geting 10% off and charging their client full retail for it and you as a Lowes employee using your discount card to obtain the same items for 10% off to sell is the fact that you work for Lowes and not yourself. You place yourself in direct conflict of interest by "competing" against Lowes.
Again, if you buy it off the clock w/out a discount ... sell as you like.
Just my 2¢

Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Midwest

All the things that I have bought have been less then 20 dollars each, have I used my discount?, yes I have, but I see now that I should prolly stop. And its not like it is an everyday thing, its prolly been like half a dozen times over the years I have worked there.

I feel guilty sometimes, but when that ebay sale comes in...I dont feel so guilty then. But I dont know, I like my job, but I went to college and didnt get my dream job and like to have the extra cash for paying my bills off quicker.

Joined: 14 Nov 2008 Posts: 36

I don't want to sound cynical, but the reality is...that little blue book titled "Lowe's Ethics Manual" is great little sheild that the executives use against their own employees and staff. What they fail to point out is in the very fine print at the end of manual reads....

"all these rules apply to everyone but us"

I can say this, I certainly appreciate someone that is actually concerned about the right or wrong thing to do when there is not malice or ill-intent. I would say that if you buy something without a discount and sell it to someone who needs it and you make a profit, you're meeting demand. I mean come on, we all know how much stuff Lowe's likes to non-stock in a given district or region & then the consumer comes back looking for a replacement or wanting to complete a set & the get the "we don't carry that anymone"....

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