What are you thoughts on turning a profit on prizes?

2015-05-21T02:12:12-04:00

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.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 21 at 2015 3:15 AM

2015-05-21T03:15:44-04:00

It seems wrong to me ... I would certainly not do it myself.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 3:24 AM

2015-05-21T03:24:30-04:00

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member. Doesn't sound right to me . . . hard to see any justification. Sandy

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 6:26 AM

2015-05-21T06:26:06-04:00

If you received something for free from the USO, pay it forward to someone in uniform if you can't use it. It is yours and you are free to sell it but if you're going to do that, stay off the grid to avoid embarrassing yourself.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 21 at 2015 6:48 AM

2015-05-21T06:48:46-04:00

If you you "bought" tickets, coupons, raffles or anything else to get the prize, fine. You have an investment in it. Who knows how much investment that is over the course of how long.

If it's a "door prize" or something that was figuratively free, with no investment, just hand it off if you aren't going to use it.

That said, we've all bartered for things, and the Silver Rule of "Don't be an #$$^&" comes into play.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 8:16 AM

2015-05-21T08:16:20-04:00

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.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-05-21T11:06:47-04:00

I would donate something I couldn't use, but that's just me. If they now own it, it's their property, and I try to avoid telling someone what to do with their personal property unless it's directly and negatively impacting someone else.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 21 at 2015 11:31 AM

2015-05-21T11:31:24-04:00

Shouldn't be happening. This is wrong and should be stopped.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 7:13 PM

2015-05-24T19:13:33-04:00

I don't see it as unethical or immoral. It's not illegal by any stretch, but it's definitely tacky and in bad taste.
On a completely related note, did you know that gifts over a certain dollar amount are considered income? Additionally, selling said gift at any dollar value is also considered income. Not reporting income is illegal, unethical, and immoral....
On another topic, did you know the IRS has a tip line?