bargaining for esrog

[Cheesecake]

Baloney
Were you ever in the business?
I worked for someone else for nearly 10 years and sold my myself one year. It's a great business, often with very little risk

No, but I'm close to someone who is.
How much did you profit?

[Ergel]

Made about $1K for ~7 hours of work

[Cheesecake]

Made about $1K for ~7 hours of work

So why did you stop?

[Cheesecake]

I'm also talking about a different scenario - someone who puts in more time and makes more money, but it makes a dent in his parnassah needs.
He's probably also selling higher quality schoirah.

[David Smith]

I have to add here, that the fact that this is a mitzvah is a factor.

It's one thing to game the system for a flight or a cell phone, it's another for an esrog.

+1. There's a world of a difference between Walmart and heimishe guy selling esrogim to supplement his income. If you noticed a price mistake, would you alert him, or slyly grab it and run?

[avrumy22]

Baloney
Were you ever in the business?
I worked for someone else for nearly 10 years and sold my myself one year. It's a great business, often with very little risk

Are u referring to a reseller or wholesaler? A wholesaler takes a major risk. Yes sometimes they rake it in but there are times that they lose their pants.

For example by 9/11 people had 50k lulavim held up due to all ports being closed. The shipment was released late but not to late to make a profit. However a week later and it would have all been down the drain.

[Cheesecake]

Are u referring to a reseller or wholesaler? A wholesaler takes a major risk. Yes sometimes they rake it in but there are times that they lose their pants.

For example by 9/11 people had 50k lulavim held up due to all ports being closed. The shipment was released late but not to late to make a profit. However a week later and it would have all been down the drain.

I think he's referring to retail. As I said, my understanding is that you can make some money with minimal risk, but to make serious parnassah, there needs to be risk even in retail.

[Cheesecake]

+1. There's a world of a difference between Walmart and heimishe guy selling esrogim to supplement his income. If you noticed a price mistake, would you alert him, or slyly grab it and run?

To be fair, we're not talking about a mistake, we're talking about liquidation. Under certain circumstances, it would be fine. If someone would otherwise not be able to afford it, or if he wants to, but is not committed to, buying for his kids, those last minute "bargains" are a win win for the buyer and seller.

[David Smith]

To be fair, we're not talking about a mistake, we're talking about liquidation. Under certain circumstances, it would be fine. If someone would otherwise not be able to afford it, or if he wants to, but is not committed to, buying for his kids, those last minute "bargains" are a win win for the buyer and seller.

I was just bringing out the point.

[Cheesecake]

I was just bringing out the point.

Fair enough.

There are two points here.
1) R' Moishe Goldberg is not Wal-Mart, (which is what I think you were bringing out); this is bein adam l'chaveiroi, and also,
2) an esrog is not a Fire Phone.
Somehow, I think a mitzvah object deserves the dignity to be purchased in a straightforward manner. This is bein adam l'Makom.

[coralsnake]

Fair enough.

There are two points here.
1) R' Moishe Goldberg is not Wal-Mart, (which is what I think you were bringing out); this is bein adam l'chaveiroi, and also,
2) an esrog is not a Fire Phone.
Somehow, I think a mitzvah object deserves the dignity to be purchased in a straightforward manner. This is bein adam l'Makom.

Regarding your second point- I'm not sure if you're misinformed or just naive about the Judaica business in this world.

[Cheesecake]

Regarding your second point- I'm not sure if you're misinformed or just naive about the Judaica business in this world.

From a seller's or buyer's POV?

[Ergel]

I think he's referring to retail. As I said, my understanding is that you can make some money with minimal risk, but to make serious parnassah, there needs to be risk even in retail.

I think people build up slowly. Start small, gain connections, etc. Once they are built up, it's a cash cow

[Ergel]

So why did you stop?

Honestly don't remember.
I think the next year I was in Israel for succos. And then I had a couple of kids and my wife didn't want all that stuff on our apartment

[Cheesecake]

I think people build up slowly. Start small, gain connections, etc. Once they are built up, it's a cash cow

No doubt, as in any business, the more experience, connections, etc., the more money one makes. I don't think that's wrong, and I don't think it gives the consumer the moral right to play games.

I also don't think this "cash cow" makes anyone rich.

[Cheesecake]

Honestly don't remember.
I think the next year I was in Israel for succos. And then I had a couple of kids and my wife didn't want all that stuff on our apartment

So rent a store if it's so lucrative.
My point is that esrog sellers aren't multimillionaires.

[Ergel]

No doubt, as in any business, the more experience, connections, etc., the more money one makes. I don't think that's wrong, and I don't think it gives the consumer the moral right to play games.

I also don't think this "cash cow" makes anyone rich.

Making 20-30K for a 3 weeks/a months worth of work is pretty good

[Ergel]

So rent a store if it's so lucrative.
My point is that esrog sellers aren't multimillionaires.

I have a real job  (And it's hard to break in)
No one said they are
Esrogim sell for what the market will bear, same as any other good. No one is doing anything wrong. I just won't get to bed crying for the mochrim

[Cheesecake]

I have a real job  (And it's hard to break in)
No one said they are
Esrogim sell for what the market will bear, same as any other good. No one is doing anything wrong. I just won't get to bed crying for the mochrim

Ah, so selling esrogim wasn't a real job for you. That's fine.
For some, it is.
Don't cry for them, just treat them fairly.
I think taking advantage of the fact that once Yom Tov starts their merchandise becomes worthless is wrong.

[Ergel]

And one thing that's not so cool is that word on the street is that if you try and undercut the market, no one will sell you esrogim anymore