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jollyjeff - that's the truth of it and I'd like to say that the thought of
keeping it all never crossed my mind but it certainly did, right up to the second I told the guy and even then there were doubts.

posted by gomedome on February 18, 2006 at 1:42 PM | link to this | reply

I like to think I would have done the same thing
but you never know until you're actually faced with a situation.

posted by jollyjeff on February 18, 2006 at 1:04 PM | link to this | reply

aha!!!!
a prophet for our times!!!!

posted by Xeno-x on February 18, 2006 at 9:52 AM | link to this | reply

gome
what you did. there is always a consequence to our choices

posted by MysticGmekeepr on February 17, 2006 at 2:21 PM | link to this | reply

strat -- it's funny - may lightening strike me down if I am lying but
I just got off of the phone with the same client. He's back for another sizeable purchase, there have been quite a few since the that time period.

posted by gomedome on February 17, 2006 at 1:45 PM | link to this | reply

Captain_Gulliver - that's a different question and a good one at that
Certainly a good portion of my motives in doing the right thing, were self serving. In a relatively small manufacturing community, not poisoning the perception that prospective clients may have of me, being the number one consideration. The scenario you describe has a different set of parameters. Our perceptions of large financial institutions would definitely affect the decision making process. I think that most individuals would attempt to manufacture any justification that they could think of to keep the money. But, if you look at it as objectively as possible, a person's motivation not to do the right thing in a case such as this, is premised solely on the institution's ability to absorb the loss. It isn't right but I think the majority of people would take the money.

posted by gomedome on February 17, 2006 at 1:42 PM | link to this | reply

Actually, I think your solution was pretty sound.
Yeah, economic fluctuations are a fact, and if one really wanted to pin you to that, they could have written some caveat(Or so I assume) similar to locking in a mortgage rate, to cover such a situation.

Nonetheless, what you did is smart business all the way around, methinks. You still got a good bonus out of the deal; you positively cemented a business relationship by making an effort to cut the other guy some slack; and most important, by doing that, you seem to have preserved a good reputation on the invisible grapevine telegraph, which you so astutely pointed out, can make or break a business.

And, you can sleep at night and look in the mirror without wincing. That's probably worth 60 grand. Definitely worth 10, anyway.

posted by strat on February 17, 2006 at 1:18 PM | link to this | reply

Bud-Oracle - does it have to be from dogs?
Are you saying that you are currently between opportunities?

posted by gomedome on February 17, 2006 at 1:08 PM | link to this | reply

Ouch...touch delima...
LOL...are you wanting a conversation on business ethics?  But I like philosophical dilemmas...Is it terrible to make a distinction between some faceless bank being short the difference in such an exchange rate, as opposed to a client and potential repeat customer?  What I mean is would I feel bad if somehow, through some stroke of bizarre international economics, I found myself the recipient of $60,000?  I doubt I would even think twice about accepting the bonus.  Now, on the other hand if I were dealing with a client, that brings up a whole new set of ethical standards.  I mean, does it necessarly show a lack of integrity to be so nonchalant toward a faceless entity, but yet have a new feeling when the client is talking to you on the phone, and you have a business relationship with them?  Do ethics change depending on the situation?

posted by Captain_Gulliver on February 17, 2006 at 12:57 PM | link to this | reply

I wish that I can make $50.00/day picking up dog shit !

posted by Bud-Oracle on February 17, 2006 at 12:42 PM | link to this | reply