Unethical ways to save money

[A Fella from Stella]

Using company gas for your car when you don't drive for the business. Fraud/petty theft

Taking from someone's drink stash in the break room. Dick-ish to the person still works there and it's been there less than 2 weeks

Walking into a nearby hotel like a guest, grabbing breakfast, a newspaper, and then coffee to go. If the maid's cart is in sight, a roll of TP and box of tissues for home. Trespassing

While driving a rental car for work and using a corp CC, you can fill up your own car. Fraud/petty theft

Going to the discounted/dented items section in the grocery store, taking the sticker off and putting it on another item (hello, $1 caviar!). Petty theft

Calling you cell phone provider and saying you have no money, and need help. They will forgive that month.

Buying a transit pass and saying you're a senior citizen or a student when you're not. Not sure the violation, but definitely not for you if you don't qualify

Taking K-cups. Very annoying to the staff who have to put up with this ALL. THE. TIME.

Buying an iPad for your business, returning it for cash, and then buying a Microsoft tablet for half the price. At tax time, you take the higher deduction. Tax fraud

Many of these business related items have moved past unethical into the illegal territory.

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

Noted above in bold the issues with my examples.

[GuitarStv]

Getting a tax break for giving money to any church is effectively state sponsorship of a private club.  Since the majority of churches push undesirable messages in one form or another (ranging from gay/trans intolerance, anti-science foolishness, religious (rather than reason) based opposition to abortion, oppression of women, etc.) I think a reasonable argument can be made that this state sponsorship is woefully misguided if not unethical.

[A Fella from Stella]

Getting a tax break for giving money to any church is effectively state sponsorship of a private club.  Since the majority of churches push undesirable messages in one form or another (ranging from gay/trans intolerance, anti-science foolishness, religious (rather than reason) based opposition to abortion, oppression of women, etc.) I think a reasonable argument can be made that this state sponsorship is woefully misguided if not unethical.

Agreed. Obviously, they have a right to exist, but why should their income be tax-free and their patrons get tax breaks? After all, aren't they buying their way into Heaven?

[RWTL]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

Noted above in bold the issues with my examples.

Very true.

My sliding scale of ethical savings:

• Sharing cell phone plan, cable, online services with kids.  This is OK in my book
• Sharing a plate when dining out.  This is OK in my book
• Using a coupon code that is clearly not intended for you.  Someone I know may have said they belong to a high school running team to get a shoe discount.*Cough*
• Sharing cell phone plan, cable, online services with strangers in a coop spirit. I probably wouldn't do this if it were not approved by the company, but wouldn't pass judgement either.
• Taking food from the employee refrigerator. Hate this.
• Saying you contributed donations for the tax break when you didn't.  Not for me.
• Anything that involves disadvantaging another individual or theft. Doesn't sit right with me.

[DrinkCoffeeStackMoney]

*Long story*

I had a guy come to my house one night wanting to sell a bunch of vintage sports cards because he was in a pinch for cash and a friend of mine had told him I bought stuff like this. I've dealt with this stuff for years so I knew the realistic retail value was around $1,200.00 for the small lot. The guy said he was in a bind of cash and wanted $500.00 for the lot, which admittedly was a great deal. Realizing he was desperate for cash or else he wouldn't be knocking on my door at 8pm I offered him $300.00 for the lot, take it or leave it. The guy reluctantly took the money. I quickly flipped the card on eBay for a $600.00 profit after fees and shipping. The seller was following my auctions and comes back to my house a couple days after the auctions ended super pissed saying that I'd ripped him off. I told the guy A) I was upfront with him that I was only buying these to flip. B) I made him an offer, it was up to him to accept it, which he did. And C) I did not put him is the situation that made him so desperate for cash. After this I posted the story on a hobby message board and got slammed buy a bunch of people for "ripping the guy off". LOL
My response to them all was that it's just business. So corporate America financially rapes people every day, but I'm not allowed to make a profit from this deal? The guy could just as well have went to one of the billion payday loan joints and paid back $2k for his $500.00 loan and no one would bat an eye.
Call it what you may, but I've never lost a wink of sleep over the deal and that's not the only one.

MOD EDIT: No rape analogies/joking comments, please. Use good taste.

[RWTL]

*Long story*

I had a guy come to my house one night wanting to sell a bunch of vintage sports cards because he was in a pinch for cash and a friend of mine had told him I bought stuff like this. I've dealt with this stuff for years so I knew the realistic retail value was around $1,200.00 for the small lot. The guy said he was in a bind of cash and wanted $500.00 for the lot, which admittedly was a great deal. Realizing he was desperate for cash or else he wouldn't be knocking on my door at 8pm I offered him $300.00 for the lot, take it or leave it. The guy reluctantly took the money. I quickly flipped the card on eBay for a $600.00 profit after fees and shipping. The seller was following my auctions and comes back to my house a couple days after the auctions ended super pissed saying that I'd ripped him off. I told the guy A) I was upfront with him that I was only buying these to flip. B) I made him an offer, it was up to him to accept it, which he did. And C) I did not put him is the situation that made him so desperate for cash. After this I posted the story on a hobby message board and got slammed buy a bunch of people for "ripping the guy off". LOL
My response to them all was that it's just business. So corporate America financially rapes people every day, but I'm not allowed to make a profit from this deal? The guy could just as well have went to one of the billion payday loan joints and paid back $2k for his $500.00 loan and no one would bat an eye.
Call it what you may, but I've never lost a wink of sleep over the deal and that's not the only one.

I agree - this is not ripping the guy off.  It's his responsibility to know the value.  If he doesn't want to research it, it's your gain.

[simonsez]

*Long story*

I had a guy come to my house one night wanting to sell a bunch of vintage sports cards because he was in a pinch for cash and a friend of mine had told him I bought stuff like this. I've dealt with this stuff for years so I knew the realistic retail value was around $1,200.00 for the small lot. The guy said he was in a bind of cash and wanted $500.00 for the lot, which admittedly was a great deal. Realizing he was desperate for cash or else he wouldn't be knocking on my door at 8pm I offered him $300.00 for the lot, take it or leave it. The guy reluctantly took the money. I quickly flipped the card on eBay for a $600.00 profit after fees and shipping. The seller was following my auctions and comes back to my house a couple days after the auctions ended super pissed saying that I'd ripped him off. I told the guy A) I was upfront with him that I was only buying these to flip. B) I made him an offer, it was up to him to accept it, which he did. And C) I did not put him is the situation that made him so desperate for cash. After this I posted the story on a hobby message board and got slammed buy a bunch of people for "ripping the guy off". LOL
My response to them all was that it's just business. So corporate America financially rapes people every day, but I'm not allowed to make a profit from this deal? The guy could just as well have went to one of the billion payday loan joints and paid back $2k for his $500.00 loan and no one would bat an eye.
Call it what you may, but I've never lost a wink of sleep over the deal and that's not the only one.

I think that's fine, I certainly wouldn't call it unethical - just I wouldn't want the transaction to occur at my house.  Some guy I don't know and he feels I am ripping him off?  I'd rather be at a neutral location or place of business.

[dragoncar]

*Long story*

I had a guy come to my house one night wanting to sell a bunch of vintage sports cards because he was in a pinch for cash and a friend of mine had told him I bought stuff like this. I've dealt with this stuff for years so I knew the realistic retail value was around $1,200.00 for the small lot. The guy said he was in a bind of cash and wanted $500.00 for the lot, which admittedly was a great deal. Realizing he was desperate for cash or else he wouldn't be knocking on my door at 8pm I offered him $300.00 for the lot, take it or leave it. The guy reluctantly took the money. I quickly flipped the card on eBay for a $600.00 profit after fees and shipping. The seller was following my auctions and comes back to my house a couple days after the auctions ended super pissed saying that I'd ripped him off. I told the guy A) I was upfront with him that I was only buying these to flip. B) I made him an offer, it was up to him to accept it, which he did. And C) I did not put him is the situation that made him so desperate for cash. After this I posted the story on a hobby message board and got slammed buy a bunch of people for "ripping the guy off". LOL
My response to them all was that it's just business. So corporate America financially rapes people every day, but I'm not allowed to make a profit from this deal? The guy could just as well have went to one of the billion payday loan joints and paid back $2k for his $500.00 loan and no one would bat an eye.
Call it what you may, but I've never lost a wink of sleep over the deal and that's not the only one.

Eh I’d call this predatory at least.  You are taking advantage of somebody else.  I don’t have enough info to call it unethical, but I probably wouldn’t do it.  Maybe give him the $300 up front and then a percentage of any profits from the flip (just in case the flip didn’t go well). 

Calling it “just business” is a bit exaggerated.  Most businesses do not enjoy a 200% net profit margin even if you paid yourself a reasonable wage it would be huge).  The ones that do are probably doing something shady.  Everyone else ekes out up to 20%

[GuitarStv]

If the retail value was 1,200$, why did you only get 600$ for it?

[better late]

At the car wash today I put a dollar into the coin changer and 6 quarters dropped down. I did it again and 6 more came out. I used the money to vacuum my car. And then I put another 2 dollars in for a total of 11 more quarters.

[DrinkCoffeeStackMoney]

If the retail value was 1,200$, why did you only get 600$ for it?

It was a $600.00 profit after recouping my initial $300.00 investment and paying for shipping, packing, and eBay fees. I think the group sold for around $1,050.00 at the time. This was probably 15 years ago.

[big_owl]

If the retail value was 1,200$, why did you only get 600$ for it?

It was a $600.00 profit after recouping my initial $300.00 investment and paying for shipping, packing, and eBay fees. I think the group sold for around $1,050.00 at the time. This was probably 15 years ago.

Lol this is almost as bad as paying to get your groceries delivered or paying off your mortgage early.

[A Fella from Stella]

At the car wash today I put a dollar into the coin changer and 6 quarters dropped down. I did it again and 6 more came out. I used the money to vacuum my car. And then I put another 2 dollars in for a total of 11 more quarters.

It would be hard not to want to max this out for everything you could. All you have to do is be desperate for cash, and forget that a family depends on the money from the operation of the car wash.

[better late]

At the car wash today I put a dollar into the coin changer and 6 quarters dropped down. I did it again and 6 more came out. I used the money to vacuum my car. And then I put another 2 dollars in for a total of 11 more quarters.

It would be hard not to want to max this out for everything you could. All you have to do is be desperate for cash, and forget that a family depends on the money from the operation of the car wash.

I was going to buy those towels that you dry the car with but then realized I had some towels in the car. 
I have felt bad since.

[afox]

Does anyone ever stop to think that the president of the U.S. is about as unethical as a human being can get?

Throughout his life the president has lied constantly to achieve his goals whether they are saving/making money or gaining support for policies. This "unethical" approach has worked very well for the president and other unethical humans. The "karma police" have not come to arrest to the president and he hasn't had any bad luck. From a purely fact-based and objective perspective his unethical approach has served him very well.

[DadJokes]

@afox keep the politics in the off-topic forum please.

[DaMa]

*Long story*

I had a guy come to my house one night wanting to sell a bunch of vintage sports cards because he was in a pinch for cash and a friend of mine had told him I bought stuff like this. I've dealt with this stuff for years so I knew the realistic retail value was around $1,200.00 for the small lot. The guy said he was in a bind of cash and wanted $500.00 for the lot, which admittedly was a great deal. Realizing he was desperate for cash or else he wouldn't be knocking on my door at 8pm I offered him $300.00 for the lot, take it or leave it. The guy reluctantly took the money. I quickly flipped the card on eBay for a $600.00 profit after fees and shipping. The seller was following my auctions and comes back to my house a couple days after the auctions ended super pissed saying that I'd ripped him off. I told the guy A) I was upfront with him that I was only buying these to flip. B) I made him an offer, it was up to him to accept it, which he did. And C) I did not put him is the situation that made him so desperate for cash. After this I posted the story on a hobby message board and got slammed buy a bunch of people for "ripping the guy off". LOL
My response to them all was that it's just business. So corporate America financially rapes people every day, but I'm not allowed to make a profit from this deal? The guy could just as well have went to one of the billion payday loan joints and paid back $2k for his $500.00 loan and no one would bat an eye.
Call it what you may, but I've never lost a wink of sleep over the deal and that's not the only one.

Eh I’d call this predatory at least.  You are taking advantage of somebody else.  I don’t have enough info to call it unethical, but I probably wouldn’t do it.  Maybe give him the $300 up front and then a percentage of any profits from the flip (just in case the flip didn’t go well). 

Calling it “just business” is a bit exaggerated.  Most businesses do not enjoy a 200% net profit margin even if you paid yourself a reasonable wage it would be huge).  The ones that do are probably doing something shady.  Everyone else ekes out up to 20%

The seller could have sold it on ebay himself.  I assume he didn't have the skills.  Your profit was due to time and money you invested in learning how to sell these items on ebay.  I don't think that's shady at all.

[afox]

Okay, lets use the example of an unethical business-person that did not become president and has nothing to do with politics. It took me about 5 seconds to find a good example: Lloyd Blankfein, senior chairman of Goldman Sachs. Just google "Lloyd Blankfein unethical" for hundreds of articles/examples of what makes this guy a very very rich royal piece of doo-doo. Do you think Lloyd has reservations about his "unethical" behavior that has made him billions? Quite the contrary what many of you (and I) would see as "unethical" he sees as "savvy business decisions". How can you argue that Lloyd should behave ethically even if results in less money made (his goal) for Lloyd and his company?

BTW, Im not unethical in real life, i just thought this would be good place to play the "devils" advocate.

[RWTL]

Okay, lets use the example of an unethical business-person that did not become president and has nothing to do with politics. It took me about 5 seconds to find a good example: Lloyd Blankfein, senior chairman of Goldman Sachs. Just google "Lloyd Blankfein unethical" for hundreds of articles/examples of what makes this guy a very very rich royal piece of doo-doo. Do you think Lloyd has reservations about his "unethical" behavior that has made him billions? Quite the contrary what many of you (and I) would see as "unethical" he sees as "savvy business decisions". How can you argue that Lloyd should behave ethically even if results in less money made (his goal) for Lloyd and his company?

BTW, Im not unethical in real life, i just thought this would be good place to play the "devils" advocate.

From my perspective:

1. I wouldn't want to hang out with someone who is unethical in business.
2. I wouldn't want to invest in a company that is known to be unethical (e.g. Valeant)
3. I wouldn't want to buy/use products from a company that is known to be unethical (e.g. Valeant, VW recently)

I know its a slippery slope and no company is perfect.  In fact, there are some articles that say many CEO's are psychopaths - mostly the non-killing type.

https://www.businessinsider.com/ceos-often-have-psychopathic-traits-2017-7

[big_owl]

Okay, lets use the example of an unethical business-person that did not become president and has nothing to do with politics. It took me about 5 seconds to find a good example: Lloyd Blankfein, senior chairman of Goldman Sachs. Just google "Lloyd Blankfein unethical" for hundreds of articles/examples of what makes this guy a very very rich royal piece of doo-doo. Do you think Lloyd has reservations about his "unethical" behavior that has made him billions? Quite the contrary what many of you (and I) would see as "unethical" he sees as "savvy business decisions". How can you argue that Lloyd should behave ethically even if results in less money made (his goal) for Lloyd and his company?

BTW, Im not unethical in real life, i just thought this would be good place to play the "devils" advocate.

So what's your point? 

[DadJokes]

Okay, lets use the example of an unethical business-person that did not become president and has nothing to do with politics. It took me about 5 seconds to find a good example: Lloyd Blankfein, senior chairman of Goldman Sachs. Just google "Lloyd Blankfein unethical" for hundreds of articles/examples of what makes this guy a very very rich royal piece of doo-doo. Do you think Lloyd has reservations about his "unethical" behavior that has made him billions? Quite the contrary what many of you (and I) would see as "unethical" he sees as "savvy business decisions". How can you argue that Lloyd should behave ethically even if results in less money made (his goal) for Lloyd and his company?

BTW, Im not unethical in real life, i just thought this would be good place to play the "devils" advocate.

We shouldn't be ethical because of some hypothetical karma train or other future benefit. We should behave ethically because it's the right thing to do. All the money in the world wouldn't make me want to cheat others out of their money.

[TheContinentalOp]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

[SwordGuy]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

Yes.  Both.

But not because they are "military" funerals.  Because they are funerals of regular folks who don't need or deserve to put up with the crap that church spews at a time when they've lost a family member.

[ChpBstrd]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

It’s kind of like stating the same problem two different ways. A society containing hate groups will experience those hate groups harming people. It’s the only logical consequence of a hateful ideology that blames whole categories of “others” for one’s dissatisfactions. Having a hate ideology means committing various harms against the targets (harassment, discrimination, physical attacks, etc). It is inevitable that hateful people will commit hateful acts.

[TheContinentalOp]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

Yes.  Both.

But not because they are "military" funerals.  Because they are funerals of regular folks who don't need or deserve to put up with the crap that church spews at a time when they've lost a family member.

I'll agree that it's protesting the funerals are rude and uncalled for. And if it happened to one of my relatives, I'd probably try to kick their ass. But, I'm not sure how that makes what they are doing "wrong."

[TheContinentalOp]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

It’s kind of like stating the same problem two different ways. A society containing hate groups will experience those hate groups harming people. It’s the only logical consequence of a hateful ideology that blames whole categories of “others” for one’s dissatisfactions. Having a hate ideology means committing various harms against the targets (harassment, discrimination, physical attacks, etc). It is inevitable that hateful people will commit hateful acts.

I think that's quite a leap.
Sure some hateful people will commit hateful acts. So will some non-hateful people.
But clearly not everyone who is hateful is committing hateful acts.

Being hateful may be misguided and counterproductive, (or maybe not depending on the target of the hat), but I am not clear on why the simple act of being a hate-filled individual is "wrong."

[GuitarStv]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

It’s kind of like stating the same problem two different ways. A society containing hate groups will experience those hate groups harming people. It’s the only logical consequence of a hateful ideology that blames whole categories of “others” for one’s dissatisfactions. Having a hate ideology means committing various harms against the targets (harassment, discrimination, physical attacks, etc). It is inevitable that hateful people will commit hateful acts.

I think that's quite a leap.
Sure some hateful people will commit hateful acts. So will some non-hateful people.
But clearly not everyone who is hateful is committing hateful acts.

Being hateful may be misguided and counterproductive, (or maybe not depending on the target of the hat), but I am not clear on why the simple act of being a hate-filled individual is "wrong."

We determine things through our senses.  If you're hate filled but never show it, nobody knows you're hate filled - no harm no foul.  It becomes a tree falls in the woods type question.

If you're hate filled and show it, not only do people know that you're hate filled but you've started to negatively impact them and others by showing this.  From the moment you spew your hate you are causing harm.  That's wrong.

[TheContinentalOp]

Agreed, but legality is not the topic, just whether it's right or wrong. For example, it's legal to take a tax break by giving money to that hate-church that protests military funerals, but it ain't right, right?

OK. I'll bite. Is it wrong to donate to them because the church is hate-filled or because they protest military funerals?

It’s kind of like stating the same problem two different ways. A society containing hate groups will experience those hate groups harming people. It’s the only logical consequence of a hateful ideology that blames whole categories of “others” for one’s dissatisfactions. Having a hate ideology means committing various harms against the targets (harassment, discrimination, physical attacks, etc). It is inevitable that hateful people will commit hateful acts.

I think that's quite a leap.
Sure some hateful people will commit hateful acts. So will some non-hateful people.
But clearly not everyone who is hateful is committing hateful acts.

Being hateful may be misguided and counterproductive, (or maybe not depending on the target of the hat), but I am not clear on why the simple act of being a hate-filled individual is "wrong."

We determine things through our senses.  If you're hate filled but never show it, nobody knows you're hate filled - no harm no foul.  It becomes a tree falls in the woods type question.

If you're hate filled and show it, not only do people know that you're hate filled but you've started to negatively impact them and others by showing this.  From the moment you spew your hate you are causing harm.  That's wrong.

"Negatively Impact" is doing a lot of work here. If that's the standard for harm, them almost any human action that generates externalities is "wrong."

And what if I hate racists or communists? Do I have to keep quiet about that for fear that I will negatively impact them?

Can I hate the drunk driver who killed my cousin? Does that hate have to remain silent?

Can I hate jerks who carve their initials in to trees in the nature preserve? How about able-bodied people who park in handicapped spots?

[GuitarStv]

So, I'm far from perfect on this, but I try very hard not to hate anyone.  To me, the word hate has some pretty powerful connotations that are generally at least as bad for the person doing the hating as the recipient of said hate.  You're free to do as you please, but actively hating someone is usually a loss for everyone - and therefore is wrong.

[Raenia]

So, I'm far from perfect on this, but I try very hard not to have anyone.  To me, the word hate has some pretty powerful connotations that are generally at least as bad for the person doing the hating as the recipient of said hate.  You're free to do as you please, but actively hating someone is usually a loss for everyone - and therefore is wrong.

I agree, and would add that it's ok to be angry at these people, but if you feel you're actually holding hate toward them, I would carefully consider how the hate is impacting you, and try to heal that wound in your heart.  Not for their sake, but for yours.

[SwordGuy]

@FIREandMONEY ,

You faithfully and accurately described the product.   You were ethical in that regard.

You are not raising the price of bottled water when a hurricane just went thru the area and the bridges into town are washed out.   The buyer was under no special compulsion to buy on your terms.   

You did not mention anything like the buyer having an obviously diminished mental capacity, such as an old person with dementia or some such.  I'm assuming you would have mentioned it had you noticed that.

So, I have no problems with what you did.

[dragoncar]

I was just looking at that HF trimmer but haven’t pulled the trigger because I can theoretically use my hedge shears to edge the lawn.  Kinda hard on my back though

[A Fella from Stella]

Co-worker's wife made rice Krispy treats and left them in break room. Then, we all had to log on to a conference training from our offices.

Are you with me? No? Well, that's why all of these are mine MINE MINE!!!! Buwahahahahaha

[theSlowTurtle]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

[dragoncar]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

[Bloop Bloop]

Credit card companies used to have sign up bonuses all the time. Apply for a new credit card, spend $500-$1000 in the first X days and then get a $200 cash back.

I'd put the money towards paying bills, await my cash back, pay off the balance and then immediately cancel the card. Not sure if that's unethical but I did it till the companies wised up. I still do it with Amex cards when they have really good sign-on points bonuses.

I also used to use online gambling services quite frequently - I would sign myself up, take the "free" sign-on bet, hedge the bet on a 2-horse race so as to convert it into money in my account, withdraw that money, sign up my partner, hedge her bet, withdraw the money, sign up my parents, etc etc. Good for about $100 in free money each time. Nil risk. Literally free money. I stopped doing it after sign-on inducements were made illegal in my jurisdiction.

I never viewed any of this as unethical but some people would.

[SwordGuy]

Credit card companies used to have sign up bonuses all the time. Apply for a new credit card, spend $500-$1000 in the first X days and then get a $200 cash back.

I'd put the money towards paying bills, await my cash back, pay off the balance and then immediately cancel the card. Not sure if that's unethical but I did it till the companies wised up. I still do it with Amex cards when they have really good sign-on points bonuses.

I also used to use online gambling services quite frequently - I would sign myself up, take the "free" sign-on bet, hedge the bet on a 2-horse race so as to convert it into money in my account, withdraw that money, sign up my partner, hedge her bet, withdraw the money, sign up my parents, etc etc. Good for about $100 in free money each time. Nil risk. Literally free money. I stopped doing it after sign-on inducements were made illegal in my jurisdiction.

I never viewed any of this as unethical but some people would.

A gambling establishment that can't understand odds deserves to be fleeced.

[Bloop Bloop]

A gambling establishment that can't understand odds deserves to be fleeced.

They can understand odds. They give out free bets because they know most people won't hedge the bets but will rather put it all on one outcome. So half those people lose their money straight away (but have been sucked into creating an account) and the other half get a momentary win but will keep betting anyway.

Some of the gambling houses made a rule that you had to wash the free bet through twice, i.e. two rounds of betting, before withdrawing. Doesn't matter. If you hedge it right you only lose about 3% each wash.

The gambling houses must have been making a killing off stupid punters because they kept offering the sign on inducements till they were made illegal. I've never bet since then. Why anyone would gamble is beyond me - it's a stupid idea.

[OurFirstFire]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

I've done this with Comcast, but we own the modem ($60 on Amazon instead of $10/month).  The account was in my wife's name, and they wanted to increase the price to $65/month.  I called and said I was a new customer and signed up for the $30/month new customer rate, handed the phone to my wife on the same call to cancel, and the internet had about 1 minute of downtime.  It never crossed my mind to consider whether it was ethical. 

[GuitarStv]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

I've done this with Comcast, but we own the modem ($60 on Amazon instead of $10/month).  The account was in my wife's name, and they wanted to increase the price to $65/month.  I called and said I was a new customer and signed up for the $30/month new customer rate, handed the phone to my wife on the same call to cancel, and the internet had about 1 minute of downtime.  It never crossed my mind to consider whether it was ethical.

I've always thought that there was something fundamentally wrong with the business model that prioritizes getting new customers over keeping loyal ones.  It seems to breed distrust and contempt where there should be a healthy business relationship.

[ketchup]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

I've done this with Comcast, but we own the modem ($60 on Amazon instead of $10/month).  The account was in my wife's name, and they wanted to increase the price to $65/month.  I called and said I was a new customer and signed up for the $30/month new customer rate, handed the phone to my wife on the same call to cancel, and the internet had about 1 minute of downtime.  It never crossed my mind to consider whether it was ethical.

I've always thought that there was something fundamentally wrong with the business model that prioritizes getting new customers over keeping loyal ones.  It seems to breed distrust and contempt where there should be a healthy business relationship.

Car insurance often does it the same way, at least in the US.

[kpd905]

Credit card companies used to have sign up bonuses all the time. Apply for a new credit card, spend $500-$1000 in the first X days and then get a $200 cash back.

I'd put the money towards paying bills, await my cash back, pay off the balance and then immediately cancel the card. Not sure if that's unethical but I did it till the companies wised up. I still do it with Amex cards when they have really good sign-on points bonuses.

This is definitely still the case, at least in the US.  My wife and I make around $5,000/year from credit cards.  Although I wouldn't recommend cancelling them immediately unless you want to get blacklisted.  Wait until the 10-11 month mark.

[GuitarStv]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

I've done this with Comcast, but we own the modem ($60 on Amazon instead of $10/month).  The account was in my wife's name, and they wanted to increase the price to $65/month.  I called and said I was a new customer and signed up for the $30/month new customer rate, handed the phone to my wife on the same call to cancel, and the internet had about 1 minute of downtime.  It never crossed my mind to consider whether it was ethical.

I've always thought that there was something fundamentally wrong with the business model that prioritizes getting new customers over keeping loyal ones.  It seems to breed distrust and contempt where there should be a healthy business relationship.

Car insurance often does it the same way, at least in the US.

Yep.  Still fucked up.  You're telling your established clientele that they're worthless, unless they quit your service.  Then you'll care about them.

[Car Jack]

4) Abusing Costco's return policy - If you dont think this happens, go to costco the day after the super bowl and see how many TV's and grills are being returned.. it's crazy

I worked with a guy who is a projection tv nut.  He'd get the latest projector from Costco and then return it when the next even better projector came out.  He did this for about 5 years and the local Costco changed their policy for projectors specifically because of him.  I believe they went the Bass Pro/Cabellas route where you can only exchange for exactly the same thing....no refund.   We don't have other Costcos that are close.

[Hotstreak]

When paying by the pound for fancy organic broccoli, break off the stalks and leave them in the store.  Expert mode: oranges, bananas.


When buying bananas at Trader Joe's, or anywhere else you pay per piece, break apart the bunches of bananas and take the biggest ones, leave the small ones.  If you need a lot of bananas, break off the big ones from several bunches and leave all the small ones.

[Dicey]

When paying by the pound for fancy organic broccoli, break off the stalks and leave them in the store.  Expert mode: oranges, bananas.


When buying bananas at Trader Joe's, or anywhere else you pay per piece, break apart the bunches of bananas and take the biggest ones, leave the small ones.  If you need a lot of bananas, break off the big ones from several bunches and leave all the small ones.

I think I saw you at the grocery store the other day. You forgot to mention the grapes and berries you ate before you got to the checkstand.

[Hotstreak]

When paying by the pound for fancy organic broccoli, break off the stalks and leave them in the store.  Expert mode: oranges, bananas.


When buying bananas at Trader Joe's, or anywhere else you pay per piece, break apart the bunches of bananas and take the biggest ones, leave the small ones.  If you need a lot of bananas, break off the big ones from several bunches and leave all the small ones.

I think I saw you at the grocery store the other day. You forgot to mention the grapes and berries you ate before you got to the checkstand.

Hahahah! 

[lollylegs]

broccoli stalks taste great - just chop them up and cook them

so, one way to save money and make money - a friend gets 5 days professional development leave a year, pays for an expensive five day conference, applies for leave from work, shows payment receipt, leave gets approved. Then cancels the conference registration, gets a full refund, has five days at home and gets a tax deduction for the expense of the conference because they have a receipt. Buys the abstracts for $20 after the conference so can discuss on return to work if asked to give a talk.

[WhiteTrashCash]

Haven't read through the whole thread so I apologise if this has already been stated. But the Verizon FiOS man wanted to up me to $77/month for internet. So I signed my wife up as the new customer for the $39.99 rate. The sad thing is not only is this well documented, the Verizon rep completely understood when I called to cancel and said it happens all the time. She scheduled the cancellation for the same day, so I will be without internet for a few hours next Friday, but saving a bunch!

Anyone do this with comcast but keep the same cable modem?.  I'd like to save more money but there's also the hassle of the transition.

I've done this with Comcast, but we own the modem ($60 on Amazon instead of $10/month).  The account was in my wife's name, and they wanted to increase the price to $65/month.  I called and said I was a new customer and signed up for the $30/month new customer rate, handed the phone to my wife on the same call to cancel, and the internet had about 1 minute of downtime.  It never crossed my mind to consider whether it was ethical.

I've always thought that there was something fundamentally wrong with the business model that prioritizes getting new customers over keeping loyal ones.  It seems to breed distrust and contempt where there should be a healthy business relationship.

Car insurance often does it the same way, at least in the US.

Yep.  Still fucked up.  You're telling your established clientele that they're worthless, unless they quit your service.  Then you'll care about them.

SiriusXM Satellite Radio does the exact same thing. They won't offer you a lower subscription rate unless you threaten to leave their service. The best way around that problem is to buy someone's used satellite radio with lifetime subscription off eBay. Then, after a year or two's service meets the cost of the radio, you get satellite radio for "free" for the lifetime of the unit.

[dragoncar]

When paying by the pound for fancy organic broccoli, break off the stalks and leave them in the store.  Expert mode: oranges, bananas.


When buying bananas at Trader Joe's, or anywhere else you pay per piece, break apart the bunches of bananas and take the biggest ones, leave the small ones.  If you need a lot of bananas, break off the big ones from several bunches and leave all the small ones.

Haha, I've actually considered some of this stuff where the "extra weight" is a bit excessive (like leeks with huge green leaves)

But I've read that small bananas actually taste better, so maybe it's just a tradeoff of quality vs. quantity.  By weight I usually prefer more small bananas to a few large ones, even though I'm probably losing out on the extra skins.