I sell stuff…….I sell my stuff and other people’s stuff. I’ve been doing it for over 25 years, more some years than others.  I’m hardly selling stuff now cause I’m having a hard time finding new stuff to sell.  Following me so far…..

In the business of buying and selling (I sell new stuff and antique stuff) morals and ethics are always at the forefront.  Why?  Because most of the time it is just YOU  making the moral and ethical decision.

I’ll just stick to one corner of buying and selling stuff and that is the area of buying today……I am ask how much things are worth all the time.  Sometimes it is just for fun, sometimes it is to compare with others they’ve contacted, sometimes it gives the person an idea of what to sell it for, and sometimes it is to see if I am going to cheat them, either now, or later on.

I’ve been with me for many years now, and I’ve come to decisions based this relationship.  I look at me every morning, I live with me 24/7 and I represent me in everything I do, including the good and bad.

So my rules of morals and ethics have become pretty simple.

I try to give the best guess (cause that’s what they all are) as to what an item is worth.  I explain that if you want to wait a year to sell it, you can probably get this amount.  If you want to insure it, you should go for this amount, if you want to sell it in a week or two, this will probably the amount, and if you want to sell it to another who will again sell it, you should be in this ballpark.

I also feel that in the world of buying and selling, one would always want to be honest enough that the person would have enough respect to call again when they want to do business.  Not because I have the most money, not because I am the sweetest you’ve ever met, and not because I can sell pans with no handles at estate sales over and over again. It’s because I am fair, and have morals and ethics I abide by.

Bartering is a part of my life as a buyer and seller. Biggest rule is never to piss off the potential buyer or seller with stupid remarks.(especially when it’s me)….like “It’s not worth that and you know it…I’ll give you this amount”…….or “My wife doesn’t know how to do this bartering stuff so I’ll give you….” or one of my favorites……”all I have is $5.50″ (and you are asking $17.00 )and his/her billfold is open in front of me, bulging with twenties…on and on…..

How do we solve this …..we use our inside voice and our morals and ethics and we say, “what is your best price today?”, ….or……”I’d live to give this a new home and I can offer….”         AND THEN, if you are turned down, smile and move on……(and maybe come back the next day)

The use of improper morals and ethics have made and broken many a person. Once you’ve lost your good reputation, how long do you think it will take to get it back…….And the answer is……for me, in my business of watching over other people’s stuff……NEVER!            later