Posted on May 21, 2015
What are you thoughts on turning a profit on prizes?
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I do volunteer work at the USO to keep myself busy. The organization itself is amazing. They feed, entertain, bed us (naps on the couch), and give away great prizes all the time. My location has a Craigslist page for service members trying to get rid of stuff they can't take home, because they don't have room to store it in the container... or they just don't want to pay to ship it home. So, give away or sell them for fairly reasonable prices to help the next guy. Well, we have people on this site that are winning stuff at the USO, and instead of re-gifting, they're trying to make a profit. Worse yet, in my opinion, we have NCOs that are justifying making a profit off of free stuff. I'm ashamed to be associated with these personnel by Corps.
USO
Gifts
Integrity
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Personally I would not do this but what I see on here, and this really why I try to stay away from this site, is passing a lot of moral judgements on people. I am gonna play devil's advocate here:
1. Is there a written rule that says if you have won something, it is illegal to sell it for a profit? (Some contests will have a disclaimer that says: "This is a prize item and not intended for sale." Or words to that effect).
2. Aside from being in poor taste (and this will vary from person to person) does it directly impact you? Are you going to have to pay an increased price for something or a service?
There are standards of conduct that are universal and unwritten but a lot of people are making a big deal and passing moral judgements on people in situations that do not directly impact them, their family or their quality of life.
1. Is there a written rule that says if you have won something, it is illegal to sell it for a profit? (Some contests will have a disclaimer that says: "This is a prize item and not intended for sale." Or words to that effect).
2. Aside from being in poor taste (and this will vary from person to person) does it directly impact you? Are you going to have to pay an increased price for something or a service?
There are standards of conduct that are universal and unwritten but a lot of people are making a big deal and passing moral judgements on people in situations that do not directly impact them, their family or their quality of life.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) SSG(P) (Join to see) I know you are talking at NCO level but, along with the topic, I have some questions. What if I just spent 700, 800, whatever hundreds on a new TV and bang! I won one, I definitely don't need it, it may be smaller than the one I just got, what do I do? Give it away just as I got it?
Another question, a Soldier lives on post, stove and fridge are included and he wins a brand new fridge. He definitely don't need it, however, his kids may need money for food, clothing or, why not, a good trip to an amusement park. Is he wrong selling it?
I get the point of SFC Davenport, there are unwritten rules but, who are we to judge those who do that kind of things? Finally SSG Scott, "doing what is legally and morally right", is it wrong to sell a prize that you don't need even when it is to fulfill other needs you really have?
Another question, a Soldier lives on post, stove and fridge are included and he wins a brand new fridge. He definitely don't need it, however, his kids may need money for food, clothing or, why not, a good trip to an amusement park. Is he wrong selling it?
I get the point of SFC Davenport, there are unwritten rules but, who are we to judge those who do that kind of things? Finally SSG Scott, "doing what is legally and morally right", is it wrong to sell a prize that you don't need even when it is to fulfill other needs you really have?
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SFC (Join to see)
Great question PFC Antonio Camacho Ortiz, I do not see an issue with it! If your doing something to take care of your family. You are your best judge to meet the needs of your family.
I get what SSG Scott is saying and to me after 20 years in the Army with 14 of that being an NCO my integrity and honor where my most prized values. Now if we are going to define integrity as narrowly as doing what is legally and morally right, then by the very definition reselling a free gift is not "legally" wrong. (As I stated earlier there are some instances where it will say a gift is not for resale." And as to the morally part of it, who determines what is morally right in that situation? I understand that it may be in poor taste or socially unacceptable to sell a free gift for profit, but again in the narrow definitions of what is "legal" and "moral" I don't think this qualifies. My opinion of course.
However if I had to feed my family and just one a 1200 dollar fridge that I didnt need, then yes its going to be put up for sale. Maybe not 1200 dollars, I wouldnt be greedy but Id take care of my family in the described instance and people could look down their nose at me all they want. **Let me go ahead and put this out there, this is not a personal attack on anyone's beliefs or character, there is too much butthurt on this site and I am not gonna participate in that drama.**
I get what SSG Scott is saying and to me after 20 years in the Army with 14 of that being an NCO my integrity and honor where my most prized values. Now if we are going to define integrity as narrowly as doing what is legally and morally right, then by the very definition reselling a free gift is not "legally" wrong. (As I stated earlier there are some instances where it will say a gift is not for resale." And as to the morally part of it, who determines what is morally right in that situation? I understand that it may be in poor taste or socially unacceptable to sell a free gift for profit, but again in the narrow definitions of what is "legal" and "moral" I don't think this qualifies. My opinion of course.
However if I had to feed my family and just one a 1200 dollar fridge that I didnt need, then yes its going to be put up for sale. Maybe not 1200 dollars, I wouldnt be greedy but Id take care of my family in the described instance and people could look down their nose at me all they want. **Let me go ahead and put this out there, this is not a personal attack on anyone's beliefs or character, there is too much butthurt on this site and I am not gonna participate in that drama.**
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I certainly respect everyone's opinions. I can't expect everyone to see things the way I do. That would just be ludicrous. However, in instances that I've seen lately, there are some people out here that are going home and don't care for recovering a small portion of what they spent on items (fridges, shelves, weights, etc.). They just put it out and let people come thrift shop for free (paying it forward) to help the next guy. Then I've seen others who go and thrift shop for free stuff, then turn around and sell it. There's no real investment. The sole intent is to fill their pockets. I've seen the same with others going to the USO and raiding the toiletry items, free DVDs, coffee bags, etc.... then selling it to make a quick buck. The USO does regular Volunteer Appreciation Days, where they reward volunteers with gifts for their service. Without them, the USO here would crumble. They don't have a large enough staff to support the whole camp. Instead of giving up the prizes to someone else who might want it, they just care about filling their pockets.
When it comes down to it, what is the overall intent? The USO is not secretive about what they're giving out. They announce the prize you're competing for before it begins, so that no one gets bummed out for working toward something they didn't want. If you don't want what is being offered, why bother trying? Don't cheat the other guy who tried to win that prize and then try to take his/her money for it. That's really bad taste.
When it comes down to it, what is the overall intent? The USO is not secretive about what they're giving out. They announce the prize you're competing for before it begins, so that no one gets bummed out for working toward something they didn't want. If you don't want what is being offered, why bother trying? Don't cheat the other guy who tried to win that prize and then try to take his/her money for it. That's really bad taste.
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Suspended Profile
SSG(P) (Join to see). Doesn't sound right to me . . . hard to see any justification. Sandy
SSG(P) (Join to see)
Exactly! I'd have to give up my stripes to even think about doing something like that. This NCO responded, "Wow! Demoting yourself over something you didn't pay for? That's extreme!" I found our first QMP candidate.
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