[mtd1523]

Is it ok to sell something that comes from a charity at a markup price?

For example, I buy something for $1, but I have to pay $2 for shipping. If I sell it for $3.50, just to get a $.50 (small) profit, is that ok? I am doing this so that I can get my payment back, have the buyer pay for the shipping and I get a very small profit. And, is it ok even when people know I only bought it for $1?

Another example (real example)...

I am selling 10 units for $1 and shipping is $2.43. My initial cost is $12.43. I sell the units for $1.50, so in the end after all 10 units are sold, I now have $15. This gives me a $2.57 profit. Is it ok even when people know I only paid $1 per unit. I want to be able to get my cost back including shipping and make a small profit. I'm not worried about making a huge gain on this, just something little for now.

Thanks.

[MattHurley]

How else would you earn profit on sales of tangible goods?

[Karen]

You are fine. You have to make a profit and people expect that.

My only thought is why not make the price a little higher, don't under value your time.

Karen

[mtd1523]

I have thought about making the price a little higher. My mom said I shouldn't get greedy about it, and if I move it up, people may not want to buy them.

Secondly, some of my sales have come through word of mouth, which they say I am selling them for $1.50. Also, if I sell them for say $2, and then that person finds out I sold them to the other person for $1.50 they may feel like I cheated them.

I already had a friend tell me that I shouldn't be making a profit off of it because it's for a charity, but I explained that I already paid for them and it is just like the people who buy them are paying me back with a little reward for my work that I had to do and the risk that I took.

[Steve]

If the charity feels your prices are taking advantage of them, they do not have to purchase them. I am sure if they don't like you prices they can try to get them somewhere else.

[Karen]

There is nothing wrong with making a little profit on something. Your mom is right, you don't have to be greedy, but you don't have to work for free either.

Charities expect a discount on services and products, they don't expect things for free. Keep that in mind when you are setting your prices.

Karen

[mtd1523]

I just want to make sure you understand me, maybe you do, I'm not sure, but I'm not following what you were saying.

I am buying FROM the charity and selling TO my friends and anybody else who wants to buy.

[Karen]

<quote>You said:
I already had a friend tell me that I shouldn't be making a profit off of it because it's for a charity</quote>

This is why I answered the way I did, I thought you were connected to the charity.

If you are buying from the charity, then they have nothing to do with it. They are only concerned with the income you are giving to them, the price you are buying the product for. Once you have the product, you should price it as you see fit.

Karen

[mtd1523]

Sorry for the confusion. I have nothing to do with the charity except that I am buying from them through the internet, they are shipping me the items and I resell them at a $.50 profit on each, which ends up covering for the shipping cost and leaving me with a small profit.

The least amount to order is 10 items, and the first order I received I sold all 10 the same day. I ordered more because more people wanted them and before I even received them in the mail I already sold 7.

In your opinion do you think it would be alright to sell them for $2.00....possibly if I sell to different people who didn't hear through word-of-mouth?

Oh yeah, and I just remembered. In the second order that I got in the mail, I also was given 10 free postcards, which explain what the charity is for and what they are doing. It also says that the item only cost $1 to buy. Should that be any cause for concern given the fact that I am selling them for more? I was planning on giving out the postcard for free along with the item.

[harrymcwealth]

Don't worry about it.
50 cents is hardly anything.
It's just payment for your time.
You don't have to feel so guilty.
When charities annoy the sh*t out of people asking for money they don't cry.
SO don't feel bad.
Do what you need or want to do.

[Sarafina]

Originally posted by mtd1523
Oh yeah, and I just remembered. In the second order that I got in the mail, I also was given 10 free postcards, which explain what the charity is for and what they are doing. It also says that the item only cost $1 to buy. Should that be any cause for concern given the fact that I am selling them for more? I was planning on giving out the postcard for free along with the item.

Ummm yea...you may not want to give them those specific postcards with the prices printed on it considering you sold it to them for more. If you pick up a magazine at the corner store with 3.99 marked on it, you'll probably be upset when the dealer sells it to you for 5.99. Remember the consumers aren't concerned with you profit and bottom lines so they won't get a chance to know why you marked up the price.

harrymcwealth
When charities annoy the sh*t out of people asking for money they don't cry.
SO don't feel bad.

You're right, he shouldn't feel bad, but not for THOSE reasons. I certainly hope you'll never be in a position to be a beneficiary of any charities considering your mentality towards them.....