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And this is how you lose your press/VIP credentials (surely?)

Larry S
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Unethical = Steve Bartman selling the World Series Championship Ring that the Cubs just gave him. (Easily will be one of the most sought after sports collectables)....For those unfamiliar .. easy Google search. This is marketing communications nothing more.
 
GuiltyBoomerang
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Archer Archer
I tend to agree - to give another similar (sort of) example - when someone travels for their work, they may take flights paid for by their company, or stay in specific hotel chains where they would earn loyalty rewards - points for free flights and free stays. Many people use these points earned while on the job for personal vacations, and I see nothing wrong with that if there isn't a company policy prohibiting it.

There is also a very active market, on eBay at least, for collectibles from plane flights. Pyjamas and amenity kits especially. One of these Rimowa branded amenity kits, which are only present on First Class flights with certain airlines can fetch anywhere between $60-190US depending on which airline and colour 😲 (I also used to collect these, though I was a buyer and didn't fly :/ )
s-l1600.jpg
 
Archer
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GuiltyBoomerang GuiltyBoomerang
There is also a very active market, on eBay at least, for collectibles from plane flights. Pyjamas and amenity kits especially. One of these Rimowa branded amenity kits, which are only present on First Class flights with certain airlines can fetch anywhere between $60-190US depending on which airline and colour 😲 (I also used to collect these, though I was a buyer and didn't fly :/ )
s-l1600.jpg

Okay that's an odd thing to collect, but I guess better than belly button fuzz...
 
Vercingetorix
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Larry S Larry S
Unethical = Steve Bartman selling the World Series Championship Ring that the Cubs just gave him. (Easily will be one of the most sought after sports collectables)....For those unfamiliar .. easy Google search. This is marketing communications nothing more.
And if Steve Bartman has cancer?
 
Larry S
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I don't think anyone would wish that on him or hold it against him.
 
kkt
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Giving away press kits and swag is absolutely routine in just about all industries. Of course it's intended to sway coverage, if not to generate favorable coverage then at least to generate milder unfavorable coverage. It's an unfortunate conflict of interest, yet it happens so often that it's hard to single out one instance.
 
rcs914
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Larry S Larry S
Unethical = Steve Bartman selling the World Series Championship Ring that the Cubs just gave him. (Easily will be one of the most sought after sports collectables)....For those unfamiliar .. easy Google search. This is marketing communications nothing more.

I have to say that Steve's response to being given one is one of the more moving things I've read in Sports in some time:

“Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations. Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over.

I humbly receive the ring not only as a symbol of one of the most historic achievements in sports, but as an important reminder for how we should treat each other in today’s society. My hope is that we all can learn from my experience to view sports as entertainment and prevent harsh scapegoating, and to challenge the media and opportunistic profiteers to conduct business ethically by respecting personal privacy rights and not exploit any individual to advance their own self-interest or economic gain.

Moreover, I am hopeful this ring gesture will be the start of an important healing and reconciliation process for all involved. To that end, I request the media please respect my privacy, and the privacy of my family. I will not participate in interviews or further public statements at this time.

Words alone cannot express my heartfelt thanks to the Ricketts family, Crane Kenney, Theo Epstein, and the entire Cubs organization for this extraordinary gift, and for providing the City of Chicago and Cubs fans everywhere an unforgettable World Championship in 2016. I am happy to be reunited with the Cubs family and positively moving forward with my life.”
 
Larry S
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And why selling immediately it would be bad form. Great move by the Cubs. What happened to him was a travesty.
 
rcs914
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I guess I want to pose an ethical question of my own, of a similar nature - I was the beneficiary of Kringkily's generosity last Christmas with his giveaway for an Omega sailing bracelet, and he went out of his way to find me the bigger size, but once I received it I realized that it still didn't fit me well. I am therefore unlikely to ever wear it, but I would not at all feel right selling it. Would member's here consider an offer to trade it out of line?
 
BlackTalon
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Archer Archer
Okay that's an odd thing to collect, but I guess better than belly button fuzz...
😕😕😕 You mean there is something out there that is even better to collect then belly button fuzz? Links, please...
 
ConElPueblo
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rcs914 rcs914
I guess I want to pose an ethical question of my own, of a similar nature - I was the beneficiary of Kringkily's generosity last Christmas with his giveaway for an Omega sailing bracelet, and he went out of his way to find me the bigger size, but once I received it I realized that it still didn't fit me well. I am therefore unlikely to ever wear it, but I would not at all feel right selling it. Would member's here consider an offer to trade it out of line?

I have given a few items away and later these items have moved on free of charge to others. I myself have been given (amazing!) watch-related items that I would never consider selling for profit, but only give away later on.

It is not what others think that should be your ethical or moral guide lines, but how you feel yourself. Do as you like and then accept that people will have an opinion about your actions.
 
Shailor
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I think the folks who give out free swag have to expect some recipients will turn around and sell it. I'm sure it's been going on for quite some time. What the asking price is depends on how much someone is willing to pay. No issues here.
 
Tik-Tok of Oz
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Larry S Larry S
I don't think anyone would wish that on him or hold it against him.
I wouldn't hold it against him if he sold the ring to benefit himself and his family. The sheer hell he was subjected to for years after that foul ball by some people in this town was horrible.
 
bvertz
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To my mind, asking $700+ for a thumb drive and nylon bracelet that were party favors -- and promoting the items on eBay as "exclusive" because the seller was invited to a party that others were not -- is crass. Is this an appropriate topic for a thread? I don't know. But consider: a limited edition watch may be selling in some corners of the internet for double its MSRP, a few scant weeks after its release. The notion that sellers should charge "whatever the market will bear" is repugnant to a community of collectors and enthusiasts who care most about design, craftsmanship and technical achievement. Has that LE watch suddenly become technically superior to others (justifying the resale price), or did the seller buy a watch just to profit?

I like to see the value of my watches increase, just like anyone. But the rapid spike in prices for a DON bezel, or a premoon Speedy, are not entirely rational. The scarcity of a commodity may affect pricing. Did DON bezels become that much more scarce since 2015? If this is not an appropriate topic for this forum (or this thread), I apologize.

I yield the soap box.
 
toddle321
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Larry S Larry S
And why selling immediately it would be bad form. Great move by the Cubs. What happened to him was a travesty.

The cubs ring recipients signed a buyback clause for $1, it's unlikely any of them will be sold in a public sale.
 
lillatroll
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rcs914 rcs914
I guess I want to pose an ethical question of my own, of a similar nature - I was the beneficiary of Kringkily's generosity last Christmas with his giveaway for an Omega sailing bracelet, and he went out of his way to find me the bigger size, but once I received it I realized that it still didn't fit me well. I am therefore unlikely to ever wear it, but I would not at all feel right selling it. Would member's here consider an offer to trade it out of line?
Why don't you offer it as a prize in your own competition or offer it to who ever was next in the competition?
 
shaun hk
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lillatroll lillatroll
Why don't you offer it as a prize in your own competition or offer it to who ever was next in the competition?
Or donate the funds raised from a sale to charity?
 
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