Truth or Consequences

[Anonymous]

Here's the scenerio.You hear of an elderly lady who's husband has passed on & she's selling some things that will not go with her when she moves.You visit her home.One of the items she is selling is an O guage LIonel freight set#2163WS. the set was cataloged in 1950.It does not have the original boxes,but each piece is carefully wrapped in white cloth which appears to be sprayed with WD40 for preservation.Everything is in real good condition. You ask how much & her responce is 200.00. ! Do you{A} Tell her she's making a big mistake & could get much more than that,or {B} give her the 200.00,grab the item & run!!!!!?????

[nblum]

You make her a fair offer. As in what it's worth to you, personally. If honestly, that is $200, then that's fine. If you'd happily pay $400 or $800, then offer her that. It's a matter of ethics and conscience, not just business, IMO. Others will advise you differently no doubt, but it's a matter of what YOU feel about the ethics of the situation.

[ChiefEagles]

Amen, Neil. A very good way to put it.

[Anonymous]

An interesting question and without wanting to sound too much like a Sunday School teacher what about just applying the old Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This also dovetails nicely with Neil's excellent answer where he emphasizes the importance of the YOU in any interaction dealing with ethics and morality.

[Anonymous]

Neil,

I agree with you again. I hope this isn't habit forming.

Great advice!

Have a good day, sir.

[Anonymous]

thanks so much for your imput guys,I really appreciate it. I ended up giving her 325.00 because that's all I had. She was greatful & so was I. Easter

[tschmidt]

Easter,

The guys are right. You have to be able to live with yourself. If it was your mom selling your dad's stuff you need to ask how you would feel about the deal. Honesty and integrity are what must come first.

Tom

[passengerfan]

I personally know of a case where a guy bought a pickup truck from an Aunt for a ridiculous price that had belonged to my Uncle. I arrived just after she had signed the papers and he drove out of the driveway. After yelling at my Aunt for a few minutes She said not to worry he wasn't going to far as she had put a pound of sugar in the gas tank!

[Anonymous]

passengerfan. not to worry. there was no sugar in the boiler. the train runs fine. Easter