Moral Question

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Posted By: HalleyGator

I certainly respect your opinion that as an attorney, I am probably too familiar with giving "legal" advice that some folks may not consider to be "moral"...

but "doing the right thing" is simply NOT the same thing as "treating this lady as if she was your mother."

First of all ... what would you say to your mother if she took your entire card collection to a baseball game and offered it to a stranger?? The fact is: You would NEVER let this happen.

But in this case, the lady OWNS the cards and clearly does NOT want to continue owning them ... and clearly does NOT want her family to continue owning them.

Wouldn't you agree that Charles did NOT "solicit" this gift in any way?

What if Charles was working at the counter of the Salvation Army when this lady brought the shoebox in to give it away for charity?

Is Charles supposed to be the "morality police" and PROHIBIT her from making a gift of kindness that she clearly wants to make???

The lady already TOLD Charles that she knows the cards have some value and contain a Babe Ruth card ... so clearly this lady knows that she is not just throwing out some trash! In fact, that is the SOLE REASON that she is seeking out someone to receive her gift who will treasure it as much as her grandfather did.

What good is giving a gift if it have no value?

Like I said: If it turns out that the lady really is trying to give the cards away for free ... then Charles should offer her something in return out of politeness ...

but I don't find it "immoral" in any way for Charles to take the box of cards if she says: "No, honey, you just take these old things and enjoy them with your grandkids."

NOTE: I do NOT sell cards for a profit, I just collect them ... so this is where my perspective comes from. In other words, I would NOT be "turning a profit" from the gift, but merely adding to my collection. If Charles were to already have a buyer lined up and is indeed only interested in acting as a middle-man for a quick buck... then I agree that he should simply put the two people together and get out of the middle.