Cute story for those that thought I was horrible for selling coupons on Ebay (long)

I'm not trying to start a whole thread about this again, but I did want to pass this on. It makes what I was saying a little clearer.

Last night I got an e-mail from a guy asking if he could bid on the Gap coupon I had on Ebay. He was asking b/c he's from Canada and it's a US auction.

I said the coupon's only good in the US. When he then bid I got curious and e-mailed asking why he'd want a coupon good in the US if he lives in Canada. He said:

'I live in Canada, but pretty close to the border. The closest good mall is Buffalo. They never send me anything good for US stores, so I get them off Ebay. It's easy anyway.'

We ended up in a dialogue b/c DH and I went to school not that far from Buffalo. Anyway, I told him about the LIWeddings discussion, and he put it much more succinctly than I did:

'I could search all over the internet for these things, but I don't have time. Maybe some people do, but maybe they should volunteer or join a sport or something. I'm familiar w/Ebay so it's easy. My time is worth more than the $1 I spend to save 10or20. The store just wants as many people to come in and shop, and people w/coupons always buy more, so I'm sure their happy about it too. I def. don't have time to make calls and ask around-then it wouldn't be a bargain anyway.'

Then, this morning I took my good winter dress coat out to get it cleaned for a wedding I have next weekend. I realized that it needs some work, so I decided to buy a fall dress coat that I've been eyeing from VS. So, I went to Ebay and bought a $20 gift. cert. for $14. I saved $6, and I can use a coupon (that I purchased off Ebay a little while ago) to save another $10. I could have searched the web, but I didn't want to.

I thought about when and why I started listing the coupons, and it was shortly after I found that you could buy them on Ebay. I guess I thought it was a great service to have available. I certainly don't really make anything from it when you consider my time in answering e-mails and listing it.

I've also had a couple of girls FM me and say I should tell people who jumped on me to go to h e l l. That's not what I want to do either.

I just wanted you to know I'm not the kind of person to do anything to take advantage of anyone-esp. not for a measly $4 a month. In fact, my life is pretty much dedicated to helping others (I work in the non-profit industry where my skills demand a whopping 1/3 of what they are worth in the for-profit sector-but at the end of the day people in need have benefitted).

So anyway, Peace.

I missed the whole ebay/coupon thing you mentioned but I have seen coupons & gift certificates listed on ebay and don't think there's anything wrong with it.

I have mostly seen manufacturer coupons for grocery stores and I don't see what the big deal is. Someone else is buying a newspaper, cutting them out, sorting them, listing them etc. I would gladly pay them less then I would for a newspaper to have the discounts at the stores that can be sometimes be doubled.

As for the GC's - you are getting something for less. It would be one thing if you are buying a $25 gc for $30 but if you can save $5 here and $10 there, why not? It adds up!

Why would anyone jump on you for selling coupons on Ebay.

I mean it's your stuff. How stupid.

I know I get coupons from stores because I have their credit card and I never use them. And when I do walk into that store I find that other cardholders horde them and use them to get even bigger discounts than the average joe.

I must totally be missing the reason why anyone would think you were taking advantage of anyone. I mean ebay is voluntary no one HAS to buy your stuff.

Weird.

it was quite amusing yesterday how SO many had opinions on what people can and cant sell on Ebay. Hmmmmmmm...isnt that Ebay's job to monitor that the same as LIW's job to monitor what gets post on here

I missed the thread from yesterday, but I think ebay is the purest for of capitalism in this country right now:

if people demand it...others will supply it...

No one jumped on you or told you not to sell coupons on EBAY. I asked you were serious about selling something that was free and anyone can get them at no cost. No one told you not to sell them either. For you to continually defend and post these things your conscience must bothering you.

PS tell the guy from Canada to email me, I will send him coupons continously.

And no Lisa no one is monitoring Ebay or LIW. If you have something to say to me, say it to me, do not hide behind words. I was the only one outside of Misty that said anything in reference to her selling FREE coupons on EBAY.

Hmmmm....did I say it was you?? I dont think so. I just said it was funny!!

BTW...I have said everything that I will ever say to you. So as you told me to not to respond to you, I expect the same from you.

thank you!

Hey girls, this wasn't meant to cause fights. I put a hug and peace at the end for a reason

All together now..

Kum by Ya my lord... Kum by ya!

hehe