Bad Coupon Karma Question...

[cpg1220]

I thought I had read a long time ago, somewhere, that if you get items for free or really cheap, that it is bad coupon karma to resell them to make money.
Is that true?? Especially, if you will make lots of money on them?
TIA!

[LisaLou]

I think it's one of those things that everyone has to decide for themselves what is okay and what isn't...personally, I have no problem with people getting something free/cheap with coupons and then reselling it. For my house, I use all the things I get and don't buy things I won't need b/c I don't have the desire, time or inclination to spend time reselling it but I certainly don't have any ethical issues with other people doing it...

I do feel like there should be a certain level of respect for others who are using coupons to support their families, for example - not clearing the shelf everywhere you go and then reselling all the items, but other than that, I'm okay with other people doing it. Hey - if you can be smart enough to score free stuff and then make money to support you and your family on top of it, that sounds okay to me!..I'm sure others will disagree but in the end, you have to decide what's right for you.

[MaMaHaHa]

Of course not! Bad karma might visit you if you have obtained items illegally or unethically---but if they are "free and clear," enjoy the fruits of your labor. I think there will be more and more folks turning to this to make a little extra cash...and in some cases-lots of $$$.

[Jessimucha88]

I think that is a really good idea.... Like LisaLou said a lot of people would probably disagree with what your doing. But in the end you've got to decide what's right for you & personally to me it's a very good idea!

[JodieR]

Like LisaLou said, the problem comes in when people clear shelves of items. I don't sell my cheap/freebie items. I use them (or will sometimes use items in a housewarming basket when a friend moves) and it is very frustrating to go into a store with my list and coupons and find shelves empty.

[scentednights2002]

Well I don't believe in Karma myself but... If you obtained the item legally and without breaking rules, it's yours to do with as you wish. I don't generally sell things I've gotten for free although I have once or twice. I also trade them, give them as gifts, give them on Freecycle and save enough for the future. I agree with not clearing shelves. I think that's really rotten. Take your share but not everyone elses.

[Gertie2u]

Maybe Karma is just something we bring on ourselves out of feeling guilty, but I do feel there is a little something to it. That said, if you've done the work to collect the proper coupon, watched for the sale, and made the trip to pick up the item from the store without unreasonably being rude to anyone else that might want the item, then I can't see any reason you shouldn't sell it for a reasonable price if you can.

By the "without unreasonably being rude to anyone else that might want the item" I mean not unreasonably clearing shelves, mostly. I do think if you had to buy at a shop that does not normally carry much stock, only purchased 4, and that was all they had...you're in the clear. I just don't see any reason in the world I should walk into a shop which had 112 on the shelf opening day of the sale 6 hours after the sale started and find an empty shelf because someone grabbed 110 for free to resale for profit even though you know the shop gives rain checks and usually fulfills them. What I am saying is, if you just want 10 for your stockpile and 100 to resale, you could easily pick up the 10 now and grab your 100 with a rain check the next week when others aren't trying to grab the deal for their own personal use.

I'd say if you have any concerns about the item's Karma after proper and polite coupon use, just sell for a bargain price. To me, that ought to equal a bit of good karma for you using your experience and time to make a bit for yourself and help out the next guy as well.

[434Teresa]

As long as you got the stuff free with the correct coupons and sales. No I dont think coupon karma will come looking for you...I feel that if you get the stuff free the right way then its yours to do what you wish with, but now if you wipe out every shelf in town of the free products every week or day then I hope coupon karma bring you down hard and fast..

I know that clearing a self happens from time to time for I have a big family and have took the last 10 of something because it was the last day of the sale or my coupons are expireing. But I dont go from store to store buying up all the free products to resale when I know that someone may need to get the products for free so they can feed or keep their family clean.

I guess I am saying leave some for others that coupon.

[~~Who,Me?~~]

I just don't believe in karma or the supernatural of any of that. Anyone who knows my family, knows that we've had a ton of really crappy stuff happen to us over the past 5 years--I'd like to think that we haven't done anything to warrant this, kwim?

If I had stockpile items to sell and could use the money (heck, who couldn't?), I would and have, readily sold it. Go for it.