Penny for your thoughts...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Here's a hypothetical scenario. Tell me what you think about this.

Joe (let's call him that) runs an online business selling widgets. Business isn't booming but his margins are large so even when sales go down, he tends to make out with a profit. Sometimes significant, sometimes not.

Joe has 4 buddies - let's call them Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue. They help Joe out. They're old buddies so they don't expect anything in return. They do it because they like Joe and value his friendship. They answer customer calls, resolve customer complaints and deal with daily logistical challenges of running the online business. They don't get paid.

They do such a good job that Joe has lots of spare time. He's been spending it on another project with potential future cash-flow. He can afford to do this because his 4 buddies are helping him out on the store. And because they don't charge him a dime.

What do you think about this? Are Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue being exploited? Do they have a right to demand compensation for their efforts?

Edited November 22, 2008 by A.J.

[William33 110]

The buddies need and deserve compensation, because they have been running the show and turning profits. Meanwhile, Joe is expanding to other business lines, and making even more money while the minions plug away.

Pay up.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The buddies need and deserve compensation, because they have been running the show and turning profits. Meanwhile, Joe is expanding to other business lines, and making even more money while the minions plug away.

Pay up.

Interesting!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The buddies need and deserve compensation, because they have been running the show and turning profits. Meanwhile, Joe is expanding to other business lines, and making even more money while the minions plug away.

Pay up.

What he said.

[rebeccajo 14]

I'm just wondering why Moe, Larry, Curly and Sue were so generous in the first place...................

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I'm just wondering why Moe, Larry, Curly and Sue were so generous in the first place...................

They were customers of Joe's business and felt Joe could use the help to make the service more accessible and reduce disruptions/problems.

So they decided to pitch in. They continue to patronize the business in addition to helping him now run it.

[MrsCat 6]

Here's a hypothetical scenario. Tell me what you think about this.

Joe (let's call him that) runs an online business selling widgets. Business isn't booming but his margins are large so even when sales go down, he tends to make out with a profit. Sometimes significant, sometimes not.

Joe has 4 buddies - let's call them Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue. They help Joe out. They're old buddies so they don't expect anything in return. They do it because they like Joe and value his friendship. They answer customer calls, resolve customer complaints and deal with daily logistical challenges of running the online business. They don't get paid.

They do such a good job that Joe has lots of spare time. He's been spending it on another project with potential future cash-flow. He can afford to do this because his 4 buddies are helping him out on the store. And because they don't charge him a dime.

What do you think about this? Are Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue being exploited? Do they have a right to demand compensation for their efforts?

Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue are stupid but good people. But they don't have a right to demand compensation. They're volunteers - everything about their relationship suggests this. If they want compensation they can ask, but they have no right to demand payment nor expect payment.

Joe is brilliant. He's like the grasshopper with the ant(s) working for him. Smart man.

Now Joe may have a moral obligation to pay them something, but this is far from a legal expectation.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue are stupid but good people. But they don't have a right to demand compensation. They're volunteers - everything about their relationship suggests this. If they want compensation they can ask, but they have no right to demand payment nor expect payment.

Joe is brilliant. He's like the grasshopper with the ant(s) working for him. Smart man.

Now Joe may have a moral obligation to pay them something, but this is far from a legal expectation.

Good answer!

[William33 110]

Moe, Curly, Larry and Sue are stupid but good people. But they don't have a right to demand compensation. They're volunteers - everything about their relationship suggests this. If they want compensation they can ask, but they have no right to demand payment nor expect payment.

Joe is brilliant. He's like the grasshopper with the ant(s) working for him. Smart man.

Now Joe may have a moral obligation to pay them something, but this is far from a legal expectation.

Good answer!

But alas, I stated that the buddies need and deserve compensation. The onus is upon Joe. Joe should pay up....

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What business do you own AJ?

[William33 110]

What business do you own AJ?

I knew it was about him.....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What business do you own AJ?

I knew it was about him.....

[rebeccajo 14]

I'm just wondering why Moe, Larry, Curly and Sue were so generous in the first place...................

They were customers of Joe's business and felt Joe could use the help to make the service more accessible and reduce disruptions/problems.

So they decided to pitch in. They continue to patronize the business in addition to helping him now run it.

Jeez.

Sounds like a bunch of Avon ladies to me.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

What business do you own AJ?

I knew it was about him.....

AJ the manipulator.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No, it's not me.