Moral/ethical dilemma

[Lee]

I don't see a problem..... I didn't feel bad selling a house for twice what I had paid for it 4 years previously...... but I am a capitalist mercenary pig!

[matt]

I understand your point Lee. Although that's the housing market and you did wait four years to enjoy that appreciation.

This bloke waited 3 days to mark up a $180 item to $225!!!! And, as a buyer, you enter the market knowing full well you're likely to be buying for more than the vendor originally bought (most times, anyway).

The housing market is about profit, not our little private astro community

Anyhoo... the upshot? I get home this afternoon after we've exchanged three e-mails saying "it's a deal and let's exchange PayPal details later tonight"... and the dirty rat tells me he's gone and sold it.

Here's the reason:

There was a little bit of miscommunication/confusion (on my part) . . . some of my incoming e-mail is going into the "Junk Folder" . . .

Interestingly, every e-mail I sent... he received A-OK and replied. What the!!!!

So it appears he's gone and got the price he wanted for it anyway, all the time letting me think we had a deal.

Now, that's what I find offensive

I got well and truly on my high horse and reported the matter to Astromart mods.

Nothing will come of it, but I just feel better for getting the dirty water off my chest.

I'm now rocking backwards and forward in a corner of the room chanting the mantra "Serenity now .... serenity now ... serenity now"

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by matt

I understand your point Lee. Although that's the housing market and you did wait four years to enjoy that appreciation.

This bloke waited 3 days to mark up a $180 item to $225!!!! And, as a buyer, you enter the market knowing full well you're likely to be buying for more than the vendor originally bought (most times, anyway).

The housing market is about profit, not our little private astro community

Anyhoo... the upshot? I get home this afternoon after we've exchanged three e-mails saying "it's a deal and let's exchange PayPal details later tonight"... and the dirty rat tells me he's gone and sold it.

Here's the reason:

There was a little bit of miscommunication/confusion (on my part) . . . some of my incoming e-mail is going into the "Junk Folder" . . .

Interestingly, every e-mail I sent... he received A-OK and replied. What the!!!!

So it appears he's gone and got the price he wanted for it anyway, all the time letting me think we had a deal.

Now, that's what I find offensive

I got well and truly on my high horse and reported the matter to Astromart mods.

Nothing will come of it, but I just feel better for getting the dirty water off my chest.

I'm now rocking backwards and forward in a corner of the room chanting the mantra "Serenity now .... serenity now ... serenity now"

At the risk of being branded a "legal eagle" again, Matt, from a strictly legal perspective you might have an enforceable legal contract.

Where there is offer and acceptance, a binding contract is formed, so long as the terms of the contract were clear. Such offer and acceptance can be demonstrated by a series of emails that result in such an offer and acceptance. Acceptance normally occurs at the time that the communique to accept is sent, not when it is received. That the email accepting the offer was lost in a "Junk Folder" does not affect the validity of the acceptance.

Of course in the real world, one would not actually take action to enforce the agreement at that level. But I guess it is nice to know that you are legally in the right.

I am currently acting for a party in a dispute in the Supreme Court of NSW where they are fighting over an amount of $US100,000,000. Now that IS an amount worth fighting over.

[matt]

Hey Rod!!!

Thanks for the input. I honestly meant no offense with the "legal eagle" reference and I'm sure no offense was taken I'm glad you're around to let us know where we stand in matters like these.

So, you reckon you can squeeze this wally for a few hundred mill for me!!!

It'll be intersting to see what reply, if any, i get from the head honchos over at Astromart

[Lee]

Originally Posted by matt

I understand your point Lee. Although that's the housing market and you did wait four years to enjoy that appreciation.

I would have on sold it the next day for that appreciation!

I do see your point about the ethics/morals and profiteering on these communities, but the first fellow sold on his own free will (I assume!) at his price.

I don't agree with the other fellow going against his word on the deal though - hopefully he'll drop it and lose the lot when it breaks!

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by matt

Hey Rod!!!

Thanks for the input. I honestly meant no offense with the "legal eagle" reference and I'm sure no offense was taken I'm glad you're around to let us know where we stand in matters like these.

So, you reckon you can squeeze this wally for a few hundred mill for me!!!

It'll be intersting to see what reply, if any, i get from the head honchos over at Astromart

I was just having a joke, Matt, no offence taken!

Let us all know how you get on. I guess if you were dealing with a snake, better that you find out before you part with your hard-earned cash.

[h0ughy (David)]

well I love a bargain just like the next guy, and can't resist them either, however a deal is a deal, and I hate being ripped off. I have had that happen a few times and I have bought heaps of stuff. for me your word is just that your word and I will hold you to the letter of the agreement. That my friends is how a trust can be bought - honest dealings gives positive and favourable results. Go down the other path and ,well, the power of free speech can be very persuasive. If your in the know, and know a lot of influential people in the right niches then you can make life hard for the person next time around. But then the christian ethos come in play, learn to forgive, never hold a grudge. BTW I am a cynical old B in this department, so don't ever cross me up on a deal. that wet feeling in the bed could be the horses head..........

[Octane (Humayun)]

lol @ The Godfather reference with an astronomy twist!

Regards,
H

Originally Posted by h0ughy

BTW I am a cynical old B in this department, so don't ever cross me up on a deal. that wet feeling in the bed could be the horses head..........