{"id":208850,"date":"2020-11-13T02:39:25","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T10:39:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heartifb.com\/?p=208850"},"modified":"2024-02-11T07:31:39","modified_gmt":"2024-02-11T15:31:39","slug":"draft-ethical-or-not-selling-gifted-items","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartifb.com\/draft-ethical-or-not-selling-gifted-items\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethical or Not: Selling Gifted Items"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the last few weeks, the ethics of reselling gifted items has come up often. I've talked to bloggers who need to cull their wardrobe and feel conflicted or unethical about their desire to resell lightly worn review items . I've seen other bloggers list items in their blog-connected shop that I know for certain were gifted pieces.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
As\u00a0bloggers, we often receive these items in lieu of financial compensation for coverage on our site\u2013whether it's a simple inclusion in a \u201cWhat I Wore\u201d post, or we dedicate the whole post to the product.\u00a0 It's hard, though, to become a self-sustaining blogger when all you're receiving are gifts.\u00a0 What happens when your closet is overflowing with gifts, but you can't pay your phone bill?\u00a0\u00a0 Does it become okay to sell of the products that you seldom wear\u2013 receiving that much needed financial compensation instead keeping a dress collecting dust?\u00a0 And is there a difference between selling at a Buffalo Exchange, eBay, or in a blog-based e-shop?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
So we have to ask, is it ethical to sell gifted or promotional items\u2013particularly on your own blog?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Many people on Twitter said it was wrong\u2013 a strong gut reaction.\u00a0 It seemed pretty unanimous that accepting things solely with the intention to sell them was a bad idea<\/strong>, and I totally agree!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Lingerie Addict<\/a> and Courtney\/\/Those Graces<\/a> both make the point that it creates \u201cbad brand relations.\u201d<\/strong> If a brand notices that you're selling items they sent you via your blog, what will they think of sending you products in the future?\u00a0 Some brands may not care if they viewed the items as payment.\u00a0 Other smaller brands may have sent you the item as a gift though, and find their feelings hurt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Courtney\/\/ Those Graces<\/a> also thinks it's a violation of reader's trust<\/strong> to sell items that you received for free.\u00a0 If you're not disclosing that you're selling gifted items, long-term readers may recognize those products as gifted items and think less of your integrity.\u00a0 She mentioned how she'd seen several video bloggers resell items and it's totally impacted her trust in them!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Many bloggers seemed to think that while selling them on a eBay shop or a blog shop wasn't ethical, that selling them at a consignment shop or donating them was a better option.<\/strong> Allyson <\/a>shared a similar thought, saying, \u201cit's not cool unless money is going to charity!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Many bloggers shared that they didn't feel that reselling a gifted or review item was unethical, because it was given in lieu of monetary compensation.<\/strong> The product became payment for coverage.\u00a0 Brands use products in lieu of financial compensation or as compensation. Adored Austin says, \u201cI see no issue w\/ bloggers selling courtesy items. Courtesy items are usually in exchange for promotional content. It's pay.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Arguments Against Selling:<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The Arguments in Favor of Selling:<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n