Are we buying stolen goods on ebaY?

“Hey, check out this great deal I got on ebaY - it’s brand new, still in the box and half price!”

I have heard similar boasts several times from co-workers and most don’t seem to care why it was priced so cheaply. They rationalize that since it was on a website, it must be okay to purchase. In fact, they encourage others to go online and try to get the same great deal.

There is a difference between being frugal, which is getting something for a fair price, and buying something at an incredibly cheap price that screams out “I am stolen merchandise”.

Yet, just about anyone will tell you that a lot of the stuff at the local flea market is probably stolen. And, if you think about it - isn’t that all ebaY really is - a worldwide flea market.

You might argue that sellers put their wares out there at low starting bids, so what can one do? Well, for most inexpensive items there is probably no way to know if it is stolen or not. Whereas for more expensive items your first clue might be when you see someone willing to sell a brand new, high dollar item with no reserve.

So, how do people get all this stolen stuff? Most business owners can tell you that theft is greatest amongst the business’ own employees. The “help” will rob you blind. Nothing like biting the hand that feeds you! I have seen this first hand and have always envisioned that the thief rationalized the whole thing by some kind of Robinhood scenario where the poor steal from the rich. He says stuff like, “The boss has so much money, he will never notice this item missing and besides he can report the loss on his insurance.” People can find excuses for even the most abysmal behaviors.

Because employers must trust employees and can not watch them all day, theft is real easy. An employee picks up an item off the store shelf, sets it in the back alley while no one is watching, calls his buddy to come pick it up and the next night it’s on ebaY.

As a side, I find it amazing that criminology students are taught that crime follows opportunity. Indicating that anyone would steal given the opportunity. Gee, a lot of us have worked in stores and never stolen a thing, yet we were surrounded by temptations. The truth is some people are just always looking for an opportunity to steal or commit another crime. You don’t have to give them an opportunity, they will find it or make it all by themselves.

The next time you see one of those deals that is too good to be true – ask yourself, is it possible that item was stolen? Do you want stolen goods?

Most of us want to be highly regarded by our friends, families and peers. The only way to achieve that and really believe that you are highly regarded is to expect more out of yourself. Hold yourself to a higher standard and eventually you will become that person of great integrity, honesty and sincerity.

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