Is this illegal

[emcron]

If I work at...lets say Best Buy and get a big discount. Would it be illegal for me to buy items, sell them on the internet like we do at sysopt or ebay and make a profit.

[Prospero]

I doubt illegal is what you need to worry about. It would be a conflict of interest with your employer, and probably a firing offense. I used to work in retail electronics, and saw several people fired for things similair. Think twice. Frankly your best bet is find your local computer auctions, and pick up stuff on the cheap and then sell it. Just be sure not to try and sell it while your working at best buy, that would get you caught quick.

[GVolosky]

Unethical but not illegal.....
Read your companies policy manual to see where they stand on this....
Be forthright with your Manager and maybe he'll cut you a deal and give you his blessing...

[Zotzmein]

I’m sure that Best Buy has a non-competent stipulation in their employee manual. Not only would you be subject to termination but criminal and civil action.

Your premeditation to purchase products intended for resell without their prior knowledge or written approval of your employer is clear case fraud. Depending on the value and the quantities sold you could easily face several felony charges.

Best Buy would likely also file a civil suit. You violated the terms of your employment and wantonly competed directly against them. You at the very least would be liable for the lost revues they would have gained had they sold the items for full retail and perhaps much more.

In essence, when you buy things from your employer, which you intend to turn around and sell in what could be construed as direct competition, you’re not only abusing your position but also defrauding your employer of a potential sale.

Regard to All,

Zotz Mein

If I where the head of legal affairs at Best Buy, I would persecute* you into oblivion. Not only because your crucifixion would be a warning to other employees but just for my own personal sadistic enjoyment. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

(I intended the word persecute not prosecute)

Happy Holidays!



[This message has been edited by Zotzmein (edited 12-10-1999).]

[Apostle 83]

Zotmein, you watch tooooo much southpark.

"Its christmas time in hell!"

[U-96]

Just suck it up while you have your discount. You should be able to put together an ***-kicking machine that will be the envy of Sysopt! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

As goes reselling, I think Zotz Mein encapsulated it. You could probably get away with one or two items for friends and family if you were discrete, but when Intel and AMD start sending bulk shipments with your name on, the manager will get a little suspicious.

U-96

[emcron]

Thanks for the info, but I was just wondering. By the way I dont work at Best Buy.

[reddog4629]

If you worked at comp usa I would say go for it-
I HATE comp usa.

[Apostle 83]

You could buy stuff for all your sysopt buddies http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[reddog4629]

I won't tell. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Zotzmein]

emcron, I don’t work at Best Buy either. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Some ideas to help you make some change:

---------------------------------------------

ONE

Go to your local computer store (not chain) and find out if they have any overstock or items that aren’t selling well. Ask them if they would be willing to sell you the entire lot predicated with the understanding that you be allowed to pay for them on individual basis or in batches over a period of time (one - three months, longer depending on the volume).

Example: Company XYZ wants to retail flathead screws. They would like to buy them in lots of no more than one thousand. The price break in buying only a thousand was minimal but at twelve thousand screws it was considerable.

Company XYZ searchs and finds a screw manufacturer who will sale them twelve thousand screws at the twelve thousand screw price but agrees to ship them in batches of one thousand screws per month and billed for the specific amount of each batch*.

Now, theoretically you have product to sell with hopeful margins that are profitable. The drawback to this deal is of course you’ve agreed to purchase a set amount, so at the end of the contractual period, you’ll have to pay off the remain balance on those unsold.

(Total amount due divided by twelve= batch price).

---------------------------------------------

TWO

Come up with a price list for what you would pay for certain used computer equipment. Visit all the local retail “ma and pa” computer stores in your area (or wherever). Ask them if they deal in used computer equipment. If they say no give them your price list and let them know you’re a cash buyer for those items.

Suggest to them that they might want to offer a program where people can exchange certain older equipment for in store credit toward new equipment. The implication being that your agreeing to purchase all this older equipment, thus the store knows it’s going to receive it’s money. Remember the amount of credit and types of items allowed are determined by you, you’re the buyer.

In order to help generate sales on their end and thus product for you to purchase, make up some generic banners, flyers and brochures extolling the virtues of receiving credit toward purchasing a nice new shinny computer. It’s a time proven sales technique; people love to get credit for something they all ready own towards something new that they want.

Though many shops are getting into the used/refurbished business, there are still shops out there that don’t want to deal with the potential headaches involved with selling second hand equipment. They are happy making money on new computers, monitors, peripherals and the ever-lucrative “bench” fees charged for repair, maintenance and upgrades.

---------------------------------------------

Zotz Mein two cents.

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

[Axel]

I myself have found that I'm EXTREMELY honest up to the $2,000,000 mark. After that point, it's time to have a few doubts http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Anything less, free & clear, probably isn't worth it.

Do you stand to make that much in a lump sum if you buy on the employee - soon to be fired - discount cheap with intent to resale?

The company can always sue you for breach of contract depending on how much they calculate you infringed on their market. And, of course, you'd be unemployed and probably wouldn't get a chance to work for a major chain again.

General managers I've known in the past looked over the employee purchase log for just such things.

Is it worth it?

[pickel]

I'll sell it... But "I ain't guarantee in It"

Tim: that was more like $.03 cents HeHE http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 12-10-1999).]

[emcron]

Thanks for the suggestions Zotzmein. I have to try it out after the holidays.

[GVolosky]

I used to work for a multinational computer parts distributor.....
Their RMA Dept. sold returned - non-defective parts to resellers for 50 cents on the dollar...
If you asked the RMA clerk for an inventory and spent 5 or 6 grand you could buy for 7 cents on the dollar....
So check around and don't be afraid to ask..

[cyphen]

that's way too much work...
just knock over a liquor store!!

[welsh wizard]

The most i8mportant thing is first read your contract of employment, you will prob find a clause in there that covers employee purchases, most will allow for a small quantity for self and emidiate family only, and purchases are normally logged, after all put your self in there possition, staff discounts are quite often better than prices offered to traders, (it's a perk for them) would you want to be giving out goods at cost to some one then find they might end up being sold to their customers.
I quick trip down the road I think and court action for compensation.
Best stay clear of this line of action.
WW

PS
I just had a thought, if you do work for someone like Best Buy and your company doesn't sell second hand you could alway ask if you could try selling any bits and pieces they have as left overs after upgrades ( a lot of non computer freeks are not interested in what happens to left overs after upgrade, its just a tool to them) you could suggest that you would do it in your own time with out there name being used on either a commision basis or payment on sale.
Just a thought.
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 12-11-1999).]

[danb4]

I found myself chuckling as I read some of these replies. I wish that more companies had the backbone to proscute theft and unethical practices. Having worked in retail, and knowing alot of people who do, I don't think you have to worry about getting prosecuted. My impression of the major retailers is that they are big wimps looking for the easy way out. Most major companies will talk big about prosecuting people, but they usually only go after the major stuff.

You could loose your job, and I'm sure that they are quite explicit about their employee purchase policy.

They would not notice you selling stuff, they'd notice you buying.

"Gee, that's the 8th Viper 770 ultra you've bought this month, are you setting up a little gaming network in your house?"

Better way to approach it would be to get a tax number from the state you are living in, and contact some wholesalers. Start a business selling equipment, and buy it for wholesale.

Don't bother with the above, you will not be the only person out there selling computer equipment. I owned a Car stereo shop for a year, and, trust me, owning your own business is not easy or fun. It is a lot of work. Best case scenereo would be that you would always have a nice computer. But you wouldn't have any time to use it cause you'd be too busy building and selling other computers.

I think the employees at Best Buy get first dibs on closeouts though. (i heard a couple employees in the computer department talking about some)

I picked up a $100+ logitech force feedback steering wheel for $6, so I think that might be a big plus.

You could probably sell that kind of stuff, the markdowns and demos. Start buying a bunch of new stuff, and you would get nailed.

[Rookie]

Hey this is interesting, how do I get to be a reseller? I caught the part about getting a US tax id...what else is involved.
I, unfortunately like hardware tinkering, I say unfortunately cause it doesnt seem to pay much as a job. Think I'll have to pass the A+ test and hang out a shingle to get work in this field.
Rookie