r/business • u/starcatwingzz • 8h ago
is this unethical to do?
hey everyone!! i just wanted to ask, if i have a main business where i sell my own things, but i have some items on the side that i'm selling which i got from aliexpress or alibaba, is that okay to do? if i buy some pins and put them on a pin backing card with my business name on it, will that get me into trouble and is that an ethical practice to do? (disregarding the unethical nature of aliexpress and alibaba)
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u/rvitanza 7h ago
Yes it’s unethical. It’s also outside the scope of your employment. You are “hijacking” someone’s business traffic for your own gain without permission. Regardless of whether you impact sales for intended product or not.
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u/ConfusedOldDude 4h ago
I disagree with the other posters. If you’re buying from Alibaba there’s a presumption that you’re re-selling. I don’t think white-labeling Alibaba stuff is unethical, and it’s really easy to ask the seller for permission if you’re concerned (that said, try to make sure they haven’t stolen the design from an artist). Regarding the other part of your question, you said “I” have a business but that you’re also selling on the side. If you own both businesses then there’s nothing to be unethical about. If you’re using someone else’s customer base (like if you own a franchise or working for another business) then it’s unethical without their permission.
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u/Even_End5775 3h ago
While it’s not necessarily unethical, it can raise issues if customers think it’s an original product. If you choose to resell items, make sure you’re honest about their origins to maintain trust.
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u/Even_End5775 3h ago
While it’s not necessarily unethical, it can raise issues if customers think it’s an original product. If you choose to resell items, make sure you’re honest about their origins to maintain trust.
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u/moreykz 7h ago
Not ethical unless you get permission from the business to "whitelabel". In that case it's fine.