Moral Dilemna
What would you do?
Here's the situation:
We found a great looking wood stove advertised on Craigs List for $100. We said “Way!” and asked if it was still available. The advertiser responded that someone was coming to look at it and she promised to hold it for him. If he did not buy it--it would be available to us.
He did not buy it.
However, her husband said “What? You put that on sale for $100? That’s at least a $500 stove. So she tells me it is still available, but for $200, she’s so sorry, her mistake.
#1. We knew it was a great deal.
#2. She should have agreed with her husband on the price first off, but that’s an uncontrollable factor for us.
#3. They advertised it at $100 and that is what we promised to buy it for.
#4. It’s at least shitty (but probably not illegal?) to raise the price DURING a deal.
#5. Even so, it’s probably a deal at $200 (wood stoves go from killer deals to as much as you want to spend, but what we’re looking for averages $400 to $800. Obviously we’d rather spend $100 or $200!
What do we do? The right thing and walk away now and spend more later for the sake of principle? Take it for a raised price and encourage shoddy business practice?
The thing is—we don’t need it right now. But we will need it very soon (and wood stoves only go up in price the closer to winter you get). And it can start in the new place where the wood stove goes (pipes are there, stove is missing) and later be moved to hubby’s shop. Or just go in the shop. Whatever. We’ll need at least one, ultimately two plus a couple fireplaces which won’t be built for months, and even at the raised price it’s a decent deal. Need I say we're on a rather tight budget.
I just don’t want to encourage people to be sleazy like this—an advertised price is an advertised price. But—pride goeth before a fall—and we can make our point now and pay $400 more later.
So, you see, it’s a quandry. Economically, it still makes sense. Morally, it raises both our hackles.
I know my husband won’t want a thing to do with a deal that changes horses mid-course. I can bet you about a hundred million on that one and be safe.
Our Bottom Line, ultimately, has more to do with belief systems than asset management. Which is, quite obviously, not always to our economic benefit.
Oh, yeah, and then there's taking Maggie to the vet for shots, etc. We have no idea how old she is. I guess I have to go look up puppy aging, how to train, all that. I really need to learn how to train her—she’s young and incredibly smart. After 2 days she knows her name we gave her and responds to it.
She’s got those sharp little needle puppy teeth, though not all of them, there are a few spaces where more will be showing up soon, and she is in the chew, chew, chew phase of puppyhood. I’ve had cats all my life, I can tell you how old a kitten is by just looking. Puppies? I’m lost. Let me go look up some puppy info & I’ll get back to you. My best (wild) guess is that she’s around 5 or 6 months old.
Barnabus (2007-07-23)
Buy the stove but!!!! You won't get a better deal, but let them know you can legally hold them to the advertised price!!!!Then offer to split the difference! perhaps you could threaten them with, "I'll get a court order that you cannot sell this stove until it's legally settled! might just work!! but get the stove!!
Mary Mary Quite Contrary (2007-07-23)
i agree with BF about the stove - see what they say and then go from there. ...as for puppy, never EVER give your dog those rawhide "bones" - they do not digest fully, and our vet said they often remain in the stomach, and can even cut the stomach, and/or intestine walls. Also, my brother's dog had one of thoe rawhide things, and a large piece unrolled (they soften as the dog chews on them), and got stuck in the roof of his mouth....Imagine pulling a piece of rawhide out of the roof of a doberman's mouth!....at least he was a good dog, and didn't freak out about it, although he was pawing at his mouth till I was able to get it out! -not fun!
Bishop\'s Fantasy? (2007-07-23)
See if the person is willing to negotiate - maybe split the difference at $150. Remind them it's a cash sale right now instead of them having to hang on to it.
Doe (2007-07-23)
I would probably buy the stove. Chalk it up to bad communication between husband and wife.
surrogate (2007-07-23)
Tough call. I understand both sides. I kind of think that if you didn't have a deposit on it, that they're not being especially unethical, though I'm sure it's frustrating. My two cents.
Froggie (2007-07-23)
I don't know what to say about the stove. Don't get taken. As for puppy, lots of chew toys to save your furniture. Sam loves anything hard rubber and balls (but he destroys the balls pretty fast). Good luck!
[ Back to top ]
Created with ShoutPost
