Mission Market Raid (2009, how much, buying)

[perticusrex]

Mission Market raid bags make-up thieves in Operation Street Sweeper | News | KENS5.com

I don't know how others may feel or if others frequent open air markets ("flea markets";pulgas") but it always digusts me when I see obviously stolen merchandise like grocery products (ie cleaners, detergents) makeup, and even knock off handbags. I know there might be some who dont see anything wrong with buying knock offs, but I do. I think its dishonest.

I am glad to see that the open air market was raided and hopefully it will deter this kind of selling.

[jwebtx]

Knockoffs are not dishonest, they are theft. Companies/designers invest significant capital into building a brand and they are entitled to the returns on their investment. Knockoffs, at a minimum, dilute their brand's worth.

Worse than the theft, these products are often made in sweat shops with child labor. There have been raids in NYC and documentaries of practices abroad that show the real price of these knockoffs.

[Dube665]

I know a family who has been selling at the local flea markets for years and they get all their products from tecatos (junkies). These guys can steal anything. They mostly sell grocery products (shaving razors, make up, over the counter meds and such). Of course its wrong and against the law but in this economy buying $12 shaving razors for $5 bucks is a pretty good deal.

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by Dube665

I know a family who has been selling at the local flea markets for years and they get all their products from tecatos (junkies). These guys can steal anything. They mostly sell grocery products (shaving razors, make up, over the counter meds and such). Of course its wrong and against the law but in this economy buying $12 shaving razors for $5 bucks is a pretty good deal.

That's sickening. I hope they get caught soon.

[jwebtx]

Originally Posted by Dube665

Of course its wrong and against the law but in this economy buying $12 shaving razors for $5 bucks is a pretty good deal.

Trains ran timely when Hitler was in power.

rationalizing, no matter how much you try, does not excuse knowingly possessing, selling, or purchasing stolen goods. Maybe the $12 razors could be $5 at the store if honest shoppers didn't have to subsidize the manufacturers', distributors', and retail stores' losses due to such thefts.

The real victims here are the honest shoppers that foot the bill in the end.

[HisLilSecret]

Originally Posted by jwebtx

Trains ran timely when Hitler was in power.

rationalizing, no matter how much you try, does not excuse knowingly possessing, selling, or purchasing stolen goods. Maybe the $12 razors could be $5 at the store if honest shoppers didn't have to subsidize the manufacturers', distributors', and retail stores' losses due to such thefts.

The real victims here are the honest shoppers that foot the bill in the end.

Right...do you honestly believe prices would be lowered if thefts were reduced? Get real! Did you see prices come down after gas prices came down? The excuse for raising prices in the first place was because fuel prices had gone up. Funny how the reverse didn't happen when the price of oil dropped significantly.

Stealing isn't right, neither by consumers OR retailers!

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by HisLilSecret

Right...do you honestly believe prices would be lowered if thefts were reduced? Stealing isn't right, neither by consumers OR retailers!

Maybe not. But HEB is not "stealing" from you when they offer razor blades for $12 when you "can get them for $5 at the flea market". If the flea market operators paid the same price that HEB did (but of course, they won't because the price is much higher than Joe Junkie charges)...we wouldn't even be discussing this. Wrong is wrong, and to rationalize with a ration of lies may help you sleep better at night, but doesn't change facts.

[HisLilSecret]

Originally Posted by sapphire

Maybe not. But HEB is not "stealing" from you when they offer razor blades for $12 when you "can get them for $5 at the flea market". If the flea market operators paid the same price that HEB did (but of course, they won't because the price is much higher than Joe Junkie charges)...we wouldn't even be discussing this. Wrong is wrong, and to rationalize with a ration of lies may help you sleep better at night, but doesn't change facts.

Anybody with any sense knows that the crap you find at the flea market is probably a "five-finger discount" someone got. If I buy a $5 razor, then I'm contributing to the problem. Duh! What I'm saying is that, first of all, a $12 razor?! Those things probably cost 25 cents a pop to make to begin with. Of course, everyone has to add their inflated cost, including HEB, and there you have it...a $12 razor. How is that NOT stealing? That also doesn't answer the question as to why prices didn't come down when oil did? HEB (only using HEB as an example because you mentioned it) was quick to hike up their prices because fuel for transport had gone up. Have you seen them dropping their prices like a hooker's drawers at a convention since oil came down? No, you haven't. THAT is stealing.

Plus, I never said stealing was ok. It's wrong and I don't do it. And I sleep fine.

[sapphire]

The collective "you" not YOU.

If people are willing to pay $12 for a .25 razor, what's the problem? If YOU (the collective YOU) could sell your goods for what people are willing to pay, I'm sure you wouldn't lower the price out of the kindness of your heart. Profit is not a dirty word! And yes, when Loretta Lush comes in and steals half a shelf of medicines to sell to the flea market owner, prices are going to go up--they have to replace merchandise they haven't sold. Simple stuff here.

I have no answer for the gas prices....that's way out of anyone's league.

[HisLilSecret]

Originally Posted by sapphire

The collective "you" not YOU.

If people are willing to pay $12 for a .25 razor, what's the problem? If YOU (the collective YOU) could sell your goods for what people are willing to pay, I'm sure you wouldn't lower the price out of the kindness of your heart. Profit is not a dirty word! And yes, when Loretta Lush comes in and steals half a shelf of medicines to sell to the flea market owner, prices are going to go up--they have to replace merchandise they haven't sold. Simple stuff here.

I have no answer for the gas prices....that's way out of anyone's league.

No one is saying profit is a dirty word. But, whatever happened to a fair price?

How is it out of anyone's league to have an answer regarding the gas price issue? It's not rocket science! If prices go up because fuel goes up, it would stand to reason that prices should come down when fuel costs decrease. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on. But, hey, if you're willing to line someone else's pocket with your hard-earned money, have at it. Whatever helps you sleep at night.