Bus 303 Practice Midterm Essay

Characters Cathy and Dave, a well-to-do professional couple Al, a real dry land salesmanCathy and Dave are young, upwardly mobile. They hold good professional jobs in downtown Chicago. One day Cathy sure an invitation in-the mail, from a resort called Green kingdom (GA), which was located near the mountains, about eight hour drive cartridge holder from Chicago. The mailer invited the young couple to spend two nights emancipate of cost and receive $50 for expenses. all told they had to do in return was to listen to a presentation, see a video, and state a turn of the resort for about two hours. Additional conditions included 24 hour advance booking of the fashion with 24 hour notice for grasscellations, and a valid credit card. Green Acres would charge $50 for a no show.Although the letter made no mention of it, Cathy and Dave knew the invitation was a real estate publicity and guessed that the two hours with the GA staff meant a hard sell for a condo or a timeshare near a lake or a golf menstruate, something they did not want. They decided to take the offer leastwise in order to get a free vacation and arranged to visit GA the pursuit weekend.Cathy and Dave had a good time at GA. The only sour point of the trip was the last fill in they had with Al the salesman. At the end of the two hour presentation when Cathy and Dave had refused to buy any GA properties, Al looked at Dave in frustration and tell, If you knew you werent going to buy any property here, why did you behave? Our company spent $300 to get you down here, and you have taken food off my familys table. What you did is immoral. Please dont do it again. At this Dave retorted, Your letter was clear, there was nothing in it that state a purchase of real estate was involved, and we had no obligation to buy anything from you. Your invitation was unconditional, I dont owe you or your family anything and I resent what you just said. At the end of this uncomfortable exchange, Cathy and Dave left the direction with an unpleasant feeling. But the unpleasant feelings did not last long because the drive back through the mountains was sincerely spectacular. After a few days Cathysaid to Dave, You know, Im still mad about what Al said to us at Green Acres. Should we write to his boss, or to the real estate dialog box or to some government agency? You know, if we dont do something, some poor trusting people might fall for their gimmicks Dave replied, No, I dont think we should waste any time on this. Most people know, or should know what they are getting into-there are no free lunches Besides if we complain, Al may lose his job and when well be really taking the food from his familys tableWhat ar the Relevant Facts?1. Cathy and Dave are enlightened and well paid.2. They received an unsolicited invitation from GreenAcres (GA).3. The invitation had nothing in it that said they hadto buy anything from GA.4. They correctly guessed that the GA sales staffwould put mechanica l press on them to buy real estate.5. GA was eight hours driving time from Chicago.6. Al made a sales presentation.7. Cathy and Dave listened to the presentation.8. Al said Cathy and Dave had acted immorally andhad deprived him of a chance of earning a salescommission.9. Dave said that they had fulfilled their obligation, as outlined in the invitation, and had not actedincorrectly.What Are the Ethical Issues?1. What is the role of inducements in merchandising?2. What is the responsibility of individuals whoaccept inducements? Do they have any moralobligations to purchase goods if they accept freegifts from merchants?3. Is braggart(a) attractive gifts to potential buyers an good practice? Does the size of the gift or theinducement matter?4. Cathy and Dave were sophisticated, educated cityfolk and did not feel pressured to buy from GA.Do less(prenominal) educated or less sophisticated consumersfeel pressured to buy merchandise underenticements of gifts? Would such business practiceb e considered ethical?5. Should Cathy and Dave complain so that otherwisevulnerable people may not be pressured into purchase pricy property they do not want?Who Are the Primary Stakeholders? Cathy and Dave Al GA GAs stockholders Other potential consumers, especially thevulnerable onesWhat Are the Possible Alternatives?1. Cathy and Dave can forget the incident and donothing.2. They can file a complaint with GA.3. They can file a complaint with the appropriateauthorities.4. They can write to Al.What Are the Ethics of the Alternatives?1. What is the best course of action for Cathy and Dave from the moral standpoint? What is the bestcourse of action that Cathy and Dave take that willprovide the greatest benefit to the greatest number?2. Do Cathy and Dave and other potential customershave rights not to be pressured or induced intoactions they may not wish to take? Do GA and Alhave rights to pursue their business and personalinterests? Were any rights violated?3. What is the just thing to do in this case? Which alternative distributes the burdens andresponsibilities fairly? If Cathy and Dave act and ifGA improves its practices everyone except Al maybenefit. Not complaining may mean Al willcontinue his tactics and cave GAs goalsassuming that word would get around andadditional customers will be offended.What Are the Practical Constraints?None.What Actions Should Be Taken?1. What should Cathy and Dave do?2. Which alternative would you choose?3. Which approach (utilitarian, rights, or justice)makes the most sniff out to you in this situation?Clearly, no action could mean unsuspecting peoplemay be lured into buying expensive real estatewith potentially severe consequences. Complaintscould lead to improved practice and better movement but could lead to the loss of Als job.4. What is the right thing to do?