bigstemz
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2010
- Messages
- 2,049
Moral Dilema.......Opinons Needed
- Thread starter Patton
- Start date
fred sanford
Elite Member
The fact
The fact that you are struggling with this and asking for approval means you have a conscience . You know in your mind if that was right. I would let this one go. Chalk it up as a experience. Next time you will know what to do. As for the kid he would waste it any way. What is done is done I would worry about it.
The fact that you are struggling with this and asking for approval means you have a conscience . You know in your mind if that was right. I would let this one go. Chalk it up as a experience. Next time you will know what to do. As for the kid he would waste it any way. What is done is done I would worry about it.
Martin_V3i
Elite Member
Personally, I think that any 10 year old today is keen enough to "work" us older, easier people to smooze. Kids back 30 years ago were more innocent, and certainly had more respect for a buck. I don't consider this deal as much...keep it go on. Kids these days many times toss pennies away.
This does remind me of a personal event I had back in the 1970s though. I had let my back yard grow reduculiously high in grass in the small rental unit, and I had a kid come by saying he could cut my grass for 5 bucks, and I affirmed front and back(the back was BAD). OK he said. He hit the back part after the front(much easier yard part) and his tired little mower was stalling every few feet. I went out with my mower and helped, and at the end I said, "You have to inspect what you are agreeing to before making a deal Kid." I did pay him ten anyway. Watching him plow the push mower, the stall, restart and repeat...I just couldn't handle that guilt. Oh, he'd got to done in time, but I felt better, and I hope he learned something from the experience.
This does remind me of a personal event I had back in the 1970s though. I had let my back yard grow reduculiously high in grass in the small rental unit, and I had a kid come by saying he could cut my grass for 5 bucks, and I affirmed front and back(the back was BAD). OK he said. He hit the back part after the front(much easier yard part) and his tired little mower was stalling every few feet. I went out with my mower and helped, and at the end I said, "You have to inspect what you are agreeing to before making a deal Kid." I did pay him ten anyway. Watching him plow the push mower, the stall, restart and repeat...I just couldn't handle that guilt. Oh, he'd got to done in time, but I felt better, and I hope he learned something from the experience.
Indeed I believe he did. That's how I also learned growing up. Great story. Thanks for the post.
firewxman
Forum Supporter
interesting...
For those of you who used words such as "swindled, ripped-off, cheated, took advantage of" let's remember, the child quoted a price, and Patton accepted. The child obviously got what he wanted in return for the coin and lets not be too quick to assume the child didn't know its true value. So let's back off on the harsh words as Patton is of high character and has served his community in more ways than most of us ever will. That being said, this is a judgement issue, and I would have chosen to educate the child. But before I get all high and mighty on myself, I will pose this situation. Tonight my wife and I went out to a graduation celebration at a local restaurant. The service was poor at best, and when I finally received the bill, I noticed that the server forgot to include our sodas. I neglected to inform the server of her mistake, paid the bill and left justifying my silence to the poor service. Maybe she felt bad about the poor service and "comped" our drinks? Then again, she probably was busy and just plain forgot. My point is that at times we all face decisions, Patton found himself a great deal on a half dollar, then faced this moral dilemma. He asked for our advice, so yes, tell him what you think. But refrain from using harsh language and put-downs, the General in no way deserves that, especially since we have all been in a similar situation at some point in our lives.
For those of you who used words such as "swindled, ripped-off, cheated, took advantage of" let's remember, the child quoted a price, and Patton accepted. The child obviously got what he wanted in return for the coin and lets not be too quick to assume the child didn't know its true value. So let's back off on the harsh words as Patton is of high character and has served his community in more ways than most of us ever will. That being said, this is a judgement issue, and I would have chosen to educate the child. But before I get all high and mighty on myself, I will pose this situation. Tonight my wife and I went out to a graduation celebration at a local restaurant. The service was poor at best, and when I finally received the bill, I noticed that the server forgot to include our sodas. I neglected to inform the server of her mistake, paid the bill and left justifying my silence to the poor service. Maybe she felt bad about the poor service and "comped" our drinks? Then again, she probably was busy and just plain forgot. My point is that at times we all face decisions, Patton found himself a great deal on a half dollar, then faced this moral dilemma. He asked for our advice, so yes, tell him what you think. But refrain from using harsh language and put-downs, the General in no way deserves that, especially since we have all been in a similar situation at some point in our lives.
Well said. Thank you for reminding us were all human and prone to making split second decisions we may think about or possibly regret later. I appreciate your post very much.
Pdau75
Full Member
Lesson learned..
The kid just learned an invaluable lesson: know the value of the item you are selling.
The kid just learned an invaluable lesson: know the value of the item you are selling.
Aside from the silver value, it's a half dollar coin. I can't remember the last time I was handed a 50 cent piece in change. Even a 10 year old would understand it was old and usual, which often has greater value to most kids, beyond the actual price or value. It fair to believe that he was interested in anything more than the 50 cent value, and what he was going to buy with it. The General doubled it, kid was happy. If had gotten$10 bucks, he probably would have still spent the bulk of it at the store. A lot of sugary treats, which most parents wouldn't approve of either.
The part with his friends with cigarettes kind adds a little suspicion. Kids that young can't buy their own tobacco products, most adults won't make the purchase for them either, mostly they get them by stealing them. A thief will steal anything, and encourage others to do the same. If there was a policeman handy, think I would have pointed that out. A lot of that cigarette lawsuit money is suppose to go toward educating kids not to start smoking, these kids must have skipped a few days of school...
I think the morals and ethics questions aren't that well defined to get upset over this. You would have to be there, to get any idea if that kid was focused on the face value, and would have spent it regardless of actual value, like most kids would. They just aren't that concerned about tomorrow or their future.
The part with his friends with cigarettes kind adds a little suspicion. Kids that young can't buy their own tobacco products, most adults won't make the purchase for them either, mostly they get them by stealing them. A thief will steal anything, and encourage others to do the same. If there was a policeman handy, think I would have pointed that out. A lot of that cigarette lawsuit money is suppose to go toward educating kids not to start smoking, these kids must have skipped a few days of school...
I think the morals and ethics questions aren't that well defined to get upset over this. You would have to be there, to get any idea if that kid was focused on the face value, and would have spent it regardless of actual value, like most kids would. They just aren't that concerned about tomorrow or their future.
sovuser
Full Member
Just stopping by to say Hi to The General,he will know why 
Goldholio
Forum Supporter
ohhhhh, bad memories from when I was a kid. I found a wood box "upstairs" when I was 6 or 7 full of big coins (silver dollars). I would sneak one and head down to the corner store and buy candy. This went on for some while (weeks months?) After spending 30 to 40! The store owner finally told my dad what I was doing. When my dad offered to buy them back, the guy said he had deposited them at the bank and they are now gone.......now that I'm 43 we look back on that fatefull summer in Pennsylvania. I had spent all supervaluable 1800's coins that had been given to him by his father,,,,,,,oooopsie now I have 2 of what is left, one from my 18th birthday and one from last summer when I bought my first metal det.....as a test coin coin. Thanks and sorry about that dad 
Just stopping by to say Hi to The General,he will know why
Yes, I do my friend. Come on! Get it off your chest!
Depends... did you all of the sudden get the munchies and spend it for face value on some candy? haha! 
Just think, he is having the same conversation with his little buddies right now about how he ripped off an old man by selling him a half dollar for a dollar! 
Just think, he is having the same conversation with his little buddies right now about how he ripped off an old man by selling him a half dollar for a dollar! 
Hi Patton, I think you already knew what you should do. If it has been alright with you, you wouldn't have put up this post. It must be bothering you that you didn't give a fair value to the kid or teach him what's its fair value is. So, just follow your heart, if giving back the coin would make you feel better, do it. If giving the kid the extra few dollars will make the guilt go away, do it. If by keeping it and knowing that it's a gentlemen's transaction an you feel fine with it, keep the coin.
You know exactly what to do, just follow your heart.
You know exactly what to do, just follow your heart.
Hi Patton, I think you already knew what you should do. If it has been alright with you, you wouldn't have put up this post. It must be bothering you that you didn't give a fair value to the kid or teach him what's its fair value is. So, just follow your heart, if giving back the coin would make you feel better, do it. If giving the kid the extra few dollars will make the guilt go away, do it. If by keeping it and knowing that it's a gentlemen's transaction an you feel fine with it, keep the coin.
You know exactly what to do, just follow your heart.
Thanks.....
Silversmith45
Elite Member
When my father was placed in a care home, unknown to us, he was spending saved silver dollars for things that he needed. I don't believe that he knew their actual value but I'm sure the store owners did and none told him. It can happen to anyone but he spent them of his own free will.
Depends... did you all of the sudden get the munchies and spend it for face value on some candy? haha!
Would not doubt it in the least.....
How do we learn? By making mistakes for the most part.
The young man gave you his price, was touting off names and prices of other coinage and you paid fair and square. If it was a mistake by the young man he'll learn from it and quite honestly that's worth more than the scrap value anyways, no?
The young man gave you his price, was touting off names and prices of other coinage and you paid fair and square. If it was a mistake by the young man he'll learn from it and quite honestly that's worth more than the scrap value anyways, no?
How do we learn? By making mistakes for the most part.
The young man gave you his price, was touting off names and prices of other coinage and you paid fair and square. If it was a mistake by the young man he'll learn from it and quite honestly that's worth more than the scrap value anyways, no?
Agree. You cannot put a price on "life's lesson's". Lord knows I have had my share.
Tin-Tin
Elite Member
I don't know you Patton, but I have read a number of posts from you on this forum while lurking on here for some time. In MHO I think the deal was fair and square. You didn't force the kids to give up the coin, you simply asked to buy the coin from him.
He offered you a price and you took him up on the offer.
I think most kids now a days are more 'street smart' than you think. I think if he had known the coin was more valuable than a mere $1.00 he would have asked for more.
The deal was struck, you gave him your card with all the info he needs if he gets into trouble due to his actions. I think your in the clear, and it was a great find. I would have been afraid to offer him more, for fear he would buy cigerettes, or something worse.
It was a fair trade in my book.
And I'm sure your card got lost in the wash, or found its way into the nearest garbage can.
He offered you a price and you took him up on the offer.
I think most kids now a days are more 'street smart' than you think. I think if he had known the coin was more valuable than a mere $1.00 he would have asked for more.
The deal was struck, you gave him your card with all the info he needs if he gets into trouble due to his actions. I think your in the clear, and it was a great find. I would have been afraid to offer him more, for fear he would buy cigerettes, or something worse.
It was a fair trade in my book.
And I'm sure your card got lost in the wash, or found its way into the nearest garbage can.
Last edited:
