Author Topic: Was this a good buy or not?  (Read 6283 times)

warehouse

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Was this a good buy or not?
« on: December 17, 2015, 08:44:20 AM »
I work for a retail company and my normal employee discount goes up 130% compared to normal for a few days this week. Stacking it with other coupons I was able to buy a Dyson Cinectic Animal vacuum for $218. I already have a Dyson, but it is 6 years old and got some signs of slowing down but for all intents and purposes still functioning. I have a husky dog so a good vacuum is always needed! I made the decision to buy because I will never be able to get this price again, or even close. In the future they are changing the rules and can't buy this item on this discount again.
I am considering either cleaning up the old one and trying to sell for $100-150 on CL or just keeping the other one in backstock. Stupid? I can't decide if I just fell into pressure-to-buy consumerism sucka behavior or if this is thinking ahead.

(for reference, this vacuum is $479.99 at Target)

gliderpilot567

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #1 on: December 17, 2015, 09:15:38 AM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

sisto

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2015, 09:17:26 AM »
I think it was a great buy and you should be able to turn over the old one on CL and make your total out of pocket super low.

warehouse

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2015, 09:31:29 AM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

Can't flip it.. that would be against company rules to buy with employee discount to sell at profit.

warehouse

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2015, 09:31:53 AM »
I think it was a great buy and you should be able to turn over the old one on CL and make your total out of pocket super low.

Thanks :)

life is short

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #5 on: December 17, 2015, 01:09:29 PM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

Can't flip it.. that would be against company rules to buy with employee discount to sell at profit.

Do they come to your house and make sure you still have it? I know it's "policy" most places that offer an employee discount, but it's a perk of the job and most people take advantage of these benefits. I wouldn't feel bad selling it unless you really think you're going to get in trouble, which I doubt over a one time $500 vacuum cleaner.

TrumanGrad

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2015, 02:18:51 PM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

Can't flip it.. that would be against company rules to buy with employee discount to sell at profit.

Do they come to your house and make sure you still have it? I know it's "policy" most places that offer an employee discount, but it's a perk of the job and most people take advantage of these benefits. I wouldn't feel bad selling it unless you really think you're going to get in trouble, which I doubt over a one time $500 vacuum cleaner.

I have worked for two different major national retail chains in the past and selling this for a profit would be a firing offense.  I agree with the OP - not worth the risk of losing your job even if the risk of getting caught is relatively small.  Also these types of discounts are additional benefits for employees - if they are abused, the company will stop giving them.

MrsPete

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2015, 03:21:19 PM »
I wouldn't chance selling it -- or, if you do, at least hold it for a long time.  A company that offers such deals may also have someone watching Craigslist, etc. to look for this type of thing.  Chances are you wouldn't be caught, but someone will, and they're going to make that someone an example to prevent the rest of the company for doing this same thing. 

You have a vaccum right now that works?  I'd keep using the one you already have, and I'd put this new one away in the attic until you actually need it -- then you'll have it waiting for you.


warehouse

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2015, 03:24:17 PM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

Can't flip it.. that would be against company rules to buy with employee discount to sell at profit.

Do they come to your house and make sure you still have it? I know it's "policy" most places that offer an employee discount, but it's a perk of the job and most people take advantage of these benefits. I wouldn't feel bad selling it unless you really think you're going to get in trouble, which I doubt over a one time $500 vacuum cleaner.

I don't work in the stores, I work at the corporate office... this is not a job I could replace without moving to another state. Not worth risking my good job, salary and benefits for a couple hundred bucks. However, if I was working as a cashier right now for $9 an hour and getting mistreated by hundreds of asshole customers... I could see those employees taking that risk.

warehouse

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2016, 06:01:30 PM »
My original Dyson died today. Final answer: it was a good buy.

JAYSLOL

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2016, 06:36:49 PM »
My original Dyson died today. Final answer: it was a good buy.

Nice job!  You may also be able to still sell the old one for a few bucks as a parts unit if its an upscale model and there is some demand in your area.  If not, find a free electronics recycling program in your area instead of paying to throw it in the garbage.

zolotiyeruki

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2016, 06:37:31 PM »
My original Dyson died today. Final answer: it was a good buy.
How did your old dyson die?  They're not particularly complex machines, and there's a good chance you could repair it.

Midcenturymater

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2016, 11:33:56 PM »
Great buy. It enhances your quality of life by getting rid of dog hair. Keep to use when current machine dies.

warehouse

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2016, 11:22:48 AM »
My original Dyson died today. Final answer: it was a good buy.
How did your old dyson die?  They're not particularly complex machines, and there's a good chance you could repair it.

Not exactly sure, my husband was using it and the spinner brush(?) on the bottom stopped turning. my husband googled manuals and trouble shooting and worked on it a bit. we broke out the new one (it's a dream) but will go back and work on the old one again when we have time. not tossing it out.

icemodeled

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Re: Was this a good buy or not?
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2016, 11:36:11 AM »
Flip it. Then clean up & sell the old one as well. Use sum of proceeds to buy an almost-as-good vacuum as the new one. Net result, you can upgrade your vacuum for free.

Can't flip it.. that would be against company rules to buy with employee discount to sell at profit.

Do they come to your house and make sure you still have it? I know it's "policy" most places that offer an employee discount, but it's a perk of the job and most people take advantage of these benefits. I wouldn't feel bad selling it unless you really think you're going to get in trouble, which I doubt over a one time $500 vacuum cleaner.

I wouldnt do it. Sure you can get away with it, but usually its against policy. If they happened to see the ad on CL and figured out who it was, they could get fired. Sounds silly but a realtive of mine works a place that sells similar things. Some guy was doing this (buying cheap to resell) and got caught and fired. Depends on their policy of course.