Is this ethical and proper?

[Billy B]

As you know I am selling my contractor's saw. I have a relationship with the manager at Rockler and the fella at Tool King. I printed out an information sheet and photos of my saw along with tabs with my phone number to post on their bulliten board.

I am going to be purchasing about 4k in tools (TS, Jointer, BS, SCMS, etc.) and I told the Tool King guy that if he helps me sell my saw, I will buy my new equipment from him. I am thinking of telling the Rockler guy the same thing (along with the brochure to put on HIS bulliten board), plus passing the hint what I am doing with the other guy, whom he knows very well.

I need an ethical opinion here fellas, is this kind of slimey or is this simply keen strategery?

Cheers,
Bill

"Better to ask than remain stupid."
-Sonny Edmonds-

[PastorPaul]

As long as both men know they're in competition for your business, I don't see a problem with it. You'll doubled your exposure and you'll have two stores working to sell your saw so they can have your business.

Of course, you'll want to look at prices. If there's a big difference, you could find yourself on the short end.

Pastor Paul
http://webpages.charter.net/chalosi/usaC.gif http://webpages.charter.net/chalosi/usaC.gif

"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

[pburskey]

I agree with the good Pastor, as long as you level with both of the gentlemen, I see no harm. As long as they both understand the situation and you are not lying. Try to keep the deal in the future that you may not have thought about in perspective as well. That deal probably won't come from the guy you rub the wrong way.

Technically, the answer would lie within which system of ethics you want to apply to the situation. Kant would say something, while Ross would say another.

What say you is important here.

[arcticfox46]

Well,

Your definately on a fine line there. Not sure I would do that 'if' I was into a personal relationship with the two parties. If it were simply just two business aquaintences, then you would still be on a fine line. You are asking the question, therefore I think you already know the answer.

Some people will play one person against the other and think nothing of it. What you are describing is not the same as playing one car dealership against another.

If it were me, I would not play it that way. I would tell both of them that you are selling your saw. Also tell them that you have not decided where you are going to buy your new stuff. Price is certainly going to be an issue. Be honest about it. If they want to cut you a deal because they want your business let them decide that. Don't try to coerce them into it, you'll just get caught in a triangle.

There are ways to get a great price, and to bargain without being sly about it. Just be up front and honest.

It is definately OK to tell one of the guys or both of them, -- Hey I really like that shiny new cabinet saw you have, but I can get a comparible deal for less money at the other place. Why don't you cut me a better deal, then we can talk, otherwise I gotta go over there. A statement like that is often very hard to say to a salesperson, but beleive me, they actually take classes on how to talk like that to you. For you to talk like that to them, is simply normal.

Anyway, I am rambeling about my philosophies of life here, and I'm not even sure if this is what you are looking for, so I will stop.

[grandpaw]

When I bought my new band saw last week I talked with the owner of the store and ask if he would match the Internet price. He ask me if I was seriously interested in buying. I told him that I would be purchasing within the week and that all I was doing now was determining who was going to get my business. He matched the price so he sold the saw.

I was up front with my intentions and received the response I wanted.

I decided years ago I was only going to have two types of days...
Very Good Days :) :) :) or just Plain Good Days :) :). I just refuse to have bad ones!!!

May you have at least a Good Day today,Jeff

[DickLaxt 2]

I agree with the Fox it is a fine line but your call.

I took a little different approach when I set up my shop and purchased the majors from one outlet with past and present sale prices plus another 10% dicscount,cash deal with, if I buy today you deliver today as well.


Dickie
A joker in the deck of life

[Chuck in NC]

I think you are talking about two different transactions here. First, selling your old equipment, second, purchasing new equipment.

Trying to tie the two together may put you in the same situation as dealing with a car lot on your trade-in.

Unless one of the dealers had a bad rep for product support, I would buy my new equipment from the one who offers the best price for the lot, including tax and delivery.

You may offer them both the same commission on the sale of your old saw.

[Sonny Edmonds]

A relationship? Man... I don't even want to know.
Kinda gives a different vision about "tools", Billy. Good Gawd. :o

I often play one against another for car deals. Get a write up, explain to the guy who did the write up my plan and give him priority to match for the sale. Take it to other dealers for a bottom line from them, play one against the other.

I don't do that for my equipment though. Basically, I don't sell equipment, I hand it down.

But business is business. I presume you have done business with both these folks. (And just what sort of "business" I still don't want to know.)
They are not going to "sell" your saw. They might allow you to post your ad on their board, but they can make more selling their own stuff.
Then you are probably gonna turn around and squeese their balls for more of a deal on the new chit?
Hummmm.....

Whereas my Friends where I bought most of my major equipment offered me discounts because I was supporting a locally owned and operated independant tool store.
But they had a naturally vested interest in keeping me happy, as with any customer, for repeat business. I didn't bust them and they didn't rape me. They had to make a living as well as I do.

It was good business with a friendly atmosphere.

But relationships is what them swishy fellas in San Fransisco have. And we know what they do to each other. Oh My! :o

If you are a friendly customer of them both, don't play one against the other. You could wind up with two cold shoulders for pinchin pennies.
And if you split your buying between them, because they do know each other, they will look upon you as a valued customer.
Not someone who wants to bugger them. ;)

:D

[link:www.sonnyedmonds.com | Sonny Edmonds] http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/vortex_smiley.gif
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America !
One Nation Under God!
"Lurkimus turdius orifus"

[Billy B]

Sonny, Sonny, Sonny, man, what am I going to do with you...I know,

NOTHING! ROFLMAO!!!! :D :D :D

No swishy stuff in these loafers my friend. I don't go that way. There is just something about that hourglass shape...but I digress (That means to change the subject...Sonny :D)

Actually I got a quote from the Tool King fella, and we will stick to those prices, and the Mgr at Rockler said he would match the prices, so the cost is pretty much set. I gotta sell that saw. LOML said before I spend any of MY hard earned dough, I have to sell the saw.

See, aint marriage great? :D :D

I am afraid of pi$$ing off either fella because both are great resources and good fellas to boot, I just don't feel good holding a carrot on a stick over their heads.

Good advice all around, however...


"Better to ask than remain stupid."
-Sonny Edmonds-

[Sonny Edmonds]

I'm glad you saw (saw is a woodworking tool) the humor in my posty.
And yes, sometimes the wife can put a knot in your line. Except mine, she never stops me from my goals.
So sell your saw and see what sort of saw can be seen with the new found saw seein cash. :7

:D

[link:www.sonnyedmonds.com | Sonny Edmonds] http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/vortex_smiley.gif
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
God Bless America !
One Nation Under God!
"Lurkimus turdius orifus"