Ethics of buying from a kid

[coxfan]

At a University of South Carolina baseball game around mid-season, I saw that a middle-aged man had bought a HR ball, just hit by a gamecock, for $20. He bought it from a boy aged about 10 or 11. The boy's parents weren't around, as this occurred on the wrap-around concourse at the gamecocks' new stadium. People can walk around that concourse and see the game from any angle, including the outfield, so HR balls are readily caught out there.

Usually there's a gang of kids everywhere, so adults have little chance for balls hit on the concourse. But I wonder about the ethics of buying from a kid. Does he understand the true value of a potential life-long memory? Does he feel uncomfortable saying "no" to an adult?

The issue became more significant when the gamecocks won the College World Series with a spectacular NCAA run, though nobody could have predicted that at the time of this mid-season game. Opinions?

[Jules9]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

He's probably the same guy that goes to Toys r us in the morning and runs to the Hot Wheels and Mcfarlane sections.

No reason to buy the ball from the kid. Christ.....it's just a ball.



On the other hand, the ball might be worth 5 bucks and the kid received more than he ever would have gotten if he tried to sell it later

[Chris78]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

At 10-11 years old, if the kid really wanted the ball he would have said no to the adult. The ball is not worth $20 either so the adult is not ripping off the kid.

Chris

[sox83cubs84]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

At least he gave the kid something of value. Back in the 1990s at Wrigley Field, one Ballhawk of the era used to hang buy the bullpen areas, as home runs that were thrown back were tossed to the closest bullpen once they were retrieved by the outfielder. This guy would run down and ask the kid excitedly to "see" his home run ball. The parents were almost always distracted by the game, cell phone calls, or whatever, so the kid would hand this Ballhawk his home run ball. The 'Hawk would examine it, but would use sleight of hand to pull a switch and give the kid a relatively worthless BP ball back instead of his home run. The guy once bragged to me about his switcheroos, and was proud that no kid had ever caught on to the deception. Pretty lame way to gyp a kid out of a home run ball.

Dave Miedema

[joelsabi]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

This thread reminded me of when I used to set up at card shows and there was this dealer's kid that would go around and try to trade with other dealers. On more than one occassion, I saw the kid's dad go storming to the dealer that the kid traded with and demand the cards back. Us dealers use to say that it was really the dealer's cards but that another subject in itself.

I think legally you cannot trade with a minor and you can be forced to return the trade (money for goods and vice versa). I know of some dealers who at least ask the kid if he get his dad's permission before pawning off his unwanted cards. Personally, I told the kid no thanks for his offer to trade.

In your example, personally I think its unethical for the transaction to occur. To me, whether he got fair value is the transaction is not the point. It's the behavior of an adult who feels its acceptable to negotiate with a kid that is wrong. I think the best thing for the man to do is to ask the parent first before asking the child. I can see this being a difficult and uncomfortable situation for a kid. I would be upset with any man who offered money to my kid without my knowledge.

[cliffjmp33]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

Not sure what to make of it all. Only thing I can hope for is that the older gentleman was buying the ball because it was his son who hit the HR.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

Well how about on here? There are some minors on here as we saw in that post that time asking for everyone's age. I think we have a few in the 12-15 range. Would you sell them something or buy something from them from the classifieds on here?

[cincy13]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

I usually ask the kid I'm doing business with, where their parent or guardian is, if I'm dealing in anything above 20 dollars. I will ask the adult in charge if the transaction is "ok". We don't ignore kids, they are our future in collecting, we treat them with respect. We just want to make sure their guardians are "ok" with the transaction. Knock on wood, we have never had a problem, in fact, we have some long time buyers because of our policy.

[gorilla777]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

Well how about on here? There are some minors on here as we saw in that post that time asking for everyone's age. I think we have a few in the 12-15 range. Would you sell them something or buy something from them from the classifieds on here?

No, I would not buy or sell to/from one of the kiddies. It is hard enough to have deals go professionally with the adults at times.

[joelsabi]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

Well how about on here? There are some minors on here as we saw in that post that time asking for everyone's age. I think we have a few in the 12-15 range. Would you sell them something or buy something from them from the classifieds on here?

Personally I would not feel comfortable. I do not have anything against a kid starting a game used collection and think it is great. I wish it was available to me at that young of an age. But I think in the end there are just too many possible scenarios where the transaction goes bad and the parent will run interference on their behalf. I do not want to be placed in a position where someone can claim that I have taken advantage of a minor in any shape or form. I pretty much know based on someone's posts and interaction on the forum whether they are an adult and possess a credit card to complete a transaction. Besides there is always the possibilty of completing a transaction with the parent but I would need to speak to the parent on the phone before I would consider it.

[coxfan]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

Thanks to all for your comments. I'm personally uncomfortable trading with 12-year-olds without parents' okay.

I will point out that the Gamecocks's national championship this year made that HR ball worth a lot more than $20 to a lot of gamecock fans. College baseball is big in the SEC and ACC, where the crowds and spirit-level exceed those of most minor-league professional teams. Considering that nearly 300 Division I schools have baseball teams, but only one wins the national title, a HR ball from a national champion would be a rare and virtually priceless artifact to a lot of that team's fans.

[34swtns]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

He's probably the same guy that goes to Toys r us in the morning and runs to the Hot Wheels and Mcfarlane sections.....

In which case he's probably wasting his time. The employees pick through that stuff and take the "chase" items before they ever hit the shelves at all the stores in my area. They know what to look for and what it's worth.

[treant985]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

I guess going to the parents can't hurt, but I can't count how many times I've gone to games where parents are making their little kids go to the dugout to ask for cracked bats....which the kid doesn't want, but the dad sure does.

I've bought some bats from people who are about 17yrs old. At that age, I don't feel bad if I get a good deal on the item. These people are old enough to get a drivers license (notice I didn't say old enough to actually "drive"). But I usually let them set the first price, so that way I'm not unduly influencing them if I start with a lowball offer.

All I can say is that if people hadn't dealt with me when I was 12 yrs old and buying basketball cards, I never would've gotten into collecting. Even when you're 12, you learn real fast which people you can trust.

[treant985]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

In which case he's probably wasting his time. The employees pick through that stuff and take the "chase" items before they ever hit the shelves at all the stores in my area. They know what to look for and what it's worth.

Did you just self-identify as 'that guy' who goes to toys r us in the mornings to get hot wheels?

[trsent]

Re: Ethics of buying from a kid

He's probably the same guy that goes to Toys r us in the morning and runs to the Hot Wheels and Mcfarlane sections.

I know that guy! Every morning for 15-20 years he is at Target when they open their doors. Now get this, he won't sell any of his findings. He bought like 50 Hot Wheels for $8.00 each, told me they are going for $50.00 each on eBay. I said why don't you sell 25 and the other half are free and profit. He didn't like that idea. He thinks they will be worth more down the road.

Most everything he has had has gone down in value down the road, and the funny catch is the guy is always broke! Go figure.

This thread reminded me of when I used to set up at card shows and there was this dealer's kid that would go around and try to trade with other dealers. On more than one occassion, I saw the kid's dad go storming to the dealer that the kid traded with and demand the cards back. Us dealers use to say that it was really the dealer's cards but that another subject in itself.

I think legally you cannot trade with a minor and you can be forced to return the trade (money for goods and vice versa). I know of some dealers who at least ask the kid if he get his dad's permission before pawning off his unwanted cards. Personally, I told the kid no thanks for his offer to trade.

In your example, personally I think its unethical for the transaction to occur. To me, whether he got fair value is the transaction is not the point. It's the behavior of an adult who feels its acceptable to negotiate with a kid that is wrong. I think the best thing for the man to do is to ask the parent first before asking the child. I can see this being a difficult and uncomfortable situation for a kid. I would be upset with any man who offered money to my kid without my knowledge.

As a former sports card store owner I can clearly tell you that if you buy/trade with a minor, the parents have legal rights to void the contract as you cannot enter into a contract with a minor.

Buying or selling or trading with a minor, this is a risk all merchants take but it is also when common sense has to be used.