Is It Ethical?

[AJK]

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles. A agrees. B sells miles to C for 2cpm. B pays A 1.9cpm. A keeps difference.

On these facts, ethical?

Discuss.

[Ergel]

Without telling him he's taking a cut?

[AJK]

Without telling him he's taking a cut?

Correct. Nothing further was discussed.

[Ergel]

Correct. Nothing further was discussed.

I think that's not right. It's fully within his right to take a cut but why not be open about it

[HelpMe]

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles. A agrees. B sells miles to C for 2cpm. B pays A 1.9cpm. A keeps difference.

On these facts, ethical?

Discuss.

It is ethical even if B does not mention his commission.

Do you mean "B" keeps the difference?

[AJK]

Yes. Should read B keeps the difference (i.e. commission).

[Moishebatchy]

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles. A agrees. B sells miles to C for 2cpm. B pays A 1.9cpm. A keeps difference.

On these facts, ethical?

Discuss.

Totally fine IMHO. What do you think a broker does for a living, anyway? Buys from Peter to sell to Paul. Why should it be unethical not to disclose your cut? You're entitled to it. If you tell him, all you're doing is tempting him to find a way to cut out the middleman.

ETA: I guess it depends how you say it. If you say "this is what I can get you" or "this is what I'm paying", that's fine. But if you say "this is what they are worth"... could be unethical. See the difference?

Oh, and...

B offers to help sell his miles. A agrees. B sells miles to C for 2cpm. B pays A 1.9cpm. B keeps difference.

FTFY.

[AJK]

@HelpMe and Moishebatchy

Your opinion would remain the same even in spite of the fact that no mention of the word "broker" nor "commission" was uttered?

[Ergel]

@HelpMe and Moishebatchy

Your opinion would remain the same even in spite of the fact that no mention of the word "broker" nor "commission" was uttered?

+1, don't think he shouldn't take a cut and I don't think that he needs to disclose his cut. But don't make like you are doing someone a favor and then profit off of it
Or say I'll buy your miles from you. Then no need to disclose anything. But to say I'll help you sell your miles and then take a cut is just wrong

[Moishebatchy]

@HelpMe and Moishebatchy

Your opinion would remain the same even in spite of the fact that no mention of the word "broker" nor "commission" was uttered?

Yes, absolutely. If I buy a case of soda cans from the makolet with the intention of selling them in yeshiva for a profit, is it unethical of me to tell the makolet owner that I'm "making money off of him"? I don't think so.

Look, mitzad the buyer, he may feel like an idiot if he ever finds out, but mitzad the seller, I don't think he's doing anything unfair. Although, this is only if...

But don't make like you are doing someone a favor and then profit off of it

If you clearly tell him "I will buy your points for X" with no emotion, no details, then you're good; but if you act all buddy-buddy as if you're doing him a favor, then no, you're not being ethical at all.

[Ergel]

See my edit to previous comment. Totally agree if you say I'll buy your miles from you. But if you say I'll help you sell your miles, that's something else

[AJK]

Thanks for the opinions.

Slightly different scenario:

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles (with no mention of commission, brokerage, or favor). A agrees. B sells (or enters tentative deal to sell) miles to C for 2cpm. B offers to buy A's miles for 1.9cpm.

A agrees to sell at 1.9cpm.

B keeps difference.

Discuss.

[HelpMe]

Thanks for the opinions.

Slightly different scenario:

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles (with no mention of commission, brokerage, or favor). A agrees. B sells (or enters tentative deal to sell) miles to C for 2cpm. B offers to buy A's miles for 1.9cpm.

A agrees to sell at 1.9cpm.

B keeps difference.

Discuss.

Not sure what is different but same answer. So are you going to buy my miles for 1.9? 

[Ergel]

Thanks for the opinions.

Slightly different scenario:

Person B overhears person A, who knows nothing of going rates, discussing wanting to offload his miles.

B offers to help sell his miles (with no mention of commission, brokerage, or favor). A agrees. B sells (or enters tentative deal to sell) miles to C for 2cpm. B offers to buy A's miles for 1.9cpm.

A agrees to sell at 1.9cpm.

B keeps difference.

Discuss.

As long as B presents as he is buying A 's miles and not a shliach (agent) to sell his miles I think it's fine

[Name Changed]

At a 0.1 price difference you aren't ripping him off, that's the typical broker cut.

Is your question that in any case when you sell someone else's item and don't tell them if you are brokering or doing them a favor - what to tell them?

[Saver2000]

At a 0.1 price difference you aren't ripping him off, that's the typical broker cut.

How does that work?

 If his miles are "worth" 1.5, and I offer him 1.1 and then sell them for 1.2 , I'm not ripping him off?!

[AJK]

At a 0.1 price difference you aren't ripping him off, that's the typical broker cut.

Is your question that in any case when you sell someone else's item and don't tell them if you are brokering or doing them a favor - what to tell them?

0.1 was an example. What if it was .02? .03? etc

Well, I guess that's could be another question: Is one required to be clear, or is it assumed that if Person B is selling something for Person A that there will be a commission?

How does that work?

 If his miles are "worth" 1.5, and I offer him 1.1 and then sell them for 1.2 , I'm not ripping him off?!

"worth" is a pretty ambiguous term. How are you using it?

[Saver2000]

"worth" is a pretty ambiguous term. How are you using it?

That's what I was trying to be bring out 

Is NC saying that it all boils down what person A is able* to get for their miles? (That would determine the "worth" which would allow you to figure out how much 0.1 extra would be)

*Meaning,  depending on what they know about the mileage industry  and how easy/hard it is for them to find higher paying brokers, etc. . .

[HelpMe]

Well, I guess that's could be another question: Is one required to be clear, or is it assumed that if Person B is selling something for Person A that there will be a commission?

If asked you should tell them the amount you are charging.

[AJK]

If asked you should tell them the amount you are charging.

But IYO, one needn't affirmatively say so outright?