General Cycling Discussion - livestrong band ripoff

Can you believe $22 for a piece of yellow synthetic rubber?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7296&item=3693292584&rd=1&tc=photo

I bet that guy is making big bucks! Smart business person, silly buyers. What a foolish thing to buy. Another thread asked if the band was a fashion statement, and I'd say this definitely proves that it is. I'm sure the seller won't be donating a portion of his earnings to the foundation. Geez, I support cancer research, and have given to LAF, but I would never wear a yellow band, especially not an overpriced one.

How about a reverse auction? I have one that I'd be willing to part with for less than $22.00. Mine's even been worn by a celebrity whose been quoted in Bicycling magazine.

It started at $.25. can't believe it's at $22.

how silly eh, or is it sad :(

Another thread asked if the band was a fashion statement, and I'd say this definitely proves that it is. I'm sure the seller won't be donating a portion of his earnings to the foundation.

yep - i agree with you on both points. whoever is buying this should know that the money at this point has nothing to do with cancer research.

How bizarre! I've just mailed the seller asking if he gave the proceeds of the sale to the charity...

I was at a local bike shop in Pasadena last Sat and saw two boxfull of them at the counter.

A few weeks ago some one mention ebay and the yellow bands. I checked it out and saw a seller call it "RARE". Come on there are 6 million of them!!! How rare is that. Buyer beware.

How about a reverse auction? I have one that I'd be willing to part with for less than $22.00. Mine's even been worn by a celebrity whose been quoted in Bicycling magazine.

okay, I'll give you -$1.00

okay, I'll give you -$1.00

I'll underbid that......I bid 75 cents.

Goes to show how far people will go to make an "honest" buck. I have found a PBJ sandwich on EBay once, I think the price was up to $10. One person was selling a pile of snow for $.50. Just goes to show what is happening.

How 'bout you give me 3 bucks, and I promise not to re-sell it on ebay to some fool for $22? :D

Koffee

looks like it went for $26. the buyer could have saved himself the trouble and just put his money directly in the toilet.

looks like it went for $26. the buyer could have saved himself the trouble and just put his money directly in the toilet.

Or gone to LAF and got 20 of them (the six bucks would have more than paid for postage)

I would be happy if Lance issued a statement that he would prefer not to have people buy them of e-bay, or make more bands available. Good Morning America had a small peice touting how "fashionable" and rare the bracelets have become.

Personally, I'm going to e-mail the sellers and give them a peice of my mind. Or better yet, buy the damn thing and give them negative feedback.

GMA is a piece of trash anyway... wow, glad I didn't go for the hype.

I'll drop a check for the foundation in the mail. No need for me to make a "fashion statement" when I can send a check for so much more money and not ask for any silly rubber thing for the wrist in return.

Not knocking anyone who does wear the bracelet who are doing it for the cancer cause. Good for them. But those fashion idiots... God. Why does GMA consistently take the good stuff and turn it into something soooooo bad and cheezy?

Koffee

That's alright then!

"Yes, proceeds will be going to charity. I will be making a significant contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I do appreciate the email and concern, as I have the same for other people who are selling the wristbands and may not be making a donation. I do not know what the amount will be at this time, but will be a fair share for sure. I am an avid cycling fan and have been a fan of Lance's for a long time and have followed his career since he became world champion in '93 prior to his diagnosis. The inspiration he gives to everyone, including myself is amazing. Regardless, I am glad that I can let you know that there will be a significant donation made, as well as happy that I can make such a donation. "

What's significant?

After ebay costs paid, it should ALL go to the foundation. How about if I take the March of Dimes calendar they put together on ebay, sold it at a significant higher price and only gave a part to the foundation? It's not a good scene- it's their product, it's for charity, and it helps people in need. Any scumbag making money off sick people is truly a low piece of dirt.

Dumbass slimeball.

Koffee

it's a nice gesture to email that, but it sounds like a canned response to me. maybe i'm just being too skeptical, but given the circumstances i wouldn't trust that a donation would be made.

it's a nice gesture to email that, but it sounds like a canned response to me. maybe i'm just being too skeptical, but given the circumstances i wouldn't trust that a donation would be made.
I agree. Typical slime blowing smoke..

Agree entirely with Koffee. A "significant contribution" means nothing. All of it should go. Jeez, I'm struggling to find 20 of them - to benefit LAF and also because my sister died 3 months ago from cancer :( and she was a big LA fan. When I see things like that, I want to beat that person like a piece of cheap veal for a long, long time.

I noticed that tons of people are selling these things on ebay at very high prices and telling you you are supporting LAF. yeah right. how would they like it if I resold girlscout cookies? bring me some of that cheap veal! time to bring the pain.

hey guys, at least the selling them bought it off LAF so LAF gets at least $1 from it. In a way, why didn't LAF sell more than 6 million? Then there's would be ebay. It's all supply and demand.

Imagine I paid $1 to LAF but now I want to sell it, for $1 but then everyone wants it, it's only natural that prices are bound to go up

Almost makes me want to stop wearing mine.

hey guys, at least the selling them bought it off LAF so LAF gets at least $1 from it. In a way, why didn't LAF sell more than 6 million? Then there's would be ebay. It's all supply and demand.

Imagine I paid $1 to LAF but now I want to sell it, for $1 but then everyone wants it, it's only natural that prices are bound to go up


Oh, I guess that's ok. Justifying greed and taking advantage of a foundation because people would like to get a wrist band explains it all. I guess if you're that money-grubby and slimy, then sure. I could see how you'd take advantage of a situation to further your own greedy, selfish agenda. My bad. I was just thinking about the cancer patients, that's all. Thanks for clearing things up for us. Now I can sleep real good at night after I profit off the sick and the dying.

Koffee

repost of my first reply since the first didn't make any sense at all :)

hey guys, at least the seller who got it in the first place bought it off LAF so LAF gets at least $1 from it. In a way, why didn't LAF produce more than 6 million of them? Then there would be no need for ebay - everyone could just go get one! It's all supply and demand.

Imagine I paid $1 to LAF but now I want to sell it for $1 but then everyone wants it, it's only natural that the prices are bound to go up..

Oh, I guess that's ok. Justifying greed and taking advantage of a foundation because people would like to get a wrist band explains it all. I guess if you're that money-grubby and slimy, then sure. I could see how you'd take advantage of a situation to further your own greedy, selfish agenda. My bad. I was just thinking about the cancer patients, that's all. Thanks for clearing things up for us. Now I can sleep real good at night after I profit off the sick and the dying.

Koffee

Koffee, I agree whole heartedly. Unfortunately, people who are greedy and slimy can always justify their actions and sleep well at night. While other who are cool and giving tend to stay awake at night if they even tell a little white lie.
I'm not really spiritual, but gotta believe that what goes around, comes around eventually. We just aren't always there to see/hear it!

Bottom line - The wristbands were made for a sole purpose - to benefit LAF. Whether they are sold for 1 dolloar or 26 dollars all of that money should go to LAF. No "significant contributions". All of it. Anything less is profiteering at the expense of those less fortunate. There is a special place in hell for people like that.

repost of my first reply since the first didn't make any sense at all :)

hey guys, at least the seller who got it in the first place bought it off LAF so LAF gets at least $1 from it. In a way, why didn't LAF produce more than 6 million of them? Then there would be no need for ebay - everyone could just go get one! It's all supply and demand.

Imagine I paid $1 to LAF but now I want to sell it for $1 but then everyone wants it, it's only natural that the prices are bound to go up..

Repost of my first reply since it seems as though you seem to think that I don't understand your argument about supply and demand:

Oh, I guess that's ok. Justifying greed and taking advantage of a foundation because people would like to get a wrist band explains it all. I guess if you're that money-grubby and slimy, then sure. I could see how you'd take advantage of a situation to further your own greedy, selfish agenda. My bad. I was just thinking about the cancer patients, that's all. Thanks for clearing things up for us. Now I can sleep real good at night after I profit off the sick and the dying.

Seriously, I don't care how you sugar coat it, that's exactly how I feel. Making a profit off the backs of the sick and helpless is not my idea of taking advantage of our capitalistic society... it's taking advantage of the sick and helpless in our capitalistic society.

Koffee

Resale and cost adjustments are part of almost everything we purchase in the commerce world. I understand this is a slightly different situation given it is a charity/non profit, but if some people are foolish enough to purchase the rubber bracelet for more then $1 then so be it. Wasn't there a famous quote about ".. a sucker born every day". :)

Okay, here's my thought: It's a capalistic society, and things are exploited everyday. Yeah, it's shady to sell the band for a 2300% profit, but LAF probably knew it could happen.

I'll admit, I had the thought "Damn, I wish I hadn't given all mine away." But, alas, I did give them all away because that's what I do.

Repost of my first reply since it seems as though you seem to think that I don't understand your argument about supply and demand:

Oh, I guess that's ok. Justifying greed and taking advantage of a foundation because people would like to get a wrist band explains it all. I guess if you're that money-grubby and slimy, then sure. I could see how you'd take advantage of a situation to further your own greedy, selfish agenda. My bad. I was just thinking about the cancer patients, that's all. Thanks for clearing things up for us. Now I can sleep real good at night after I profit off the sick and the dying.

Seriously, I don't care how you sugar coat it, that's exactly how I feel. Making a profit off the backs of the sick and helpless is not my idea of taking advantage of our capitalistic society... it's taking advantage of the sick and helpless in our capitalistic society.

Koffee

no seriously, as ppl have said, we live in a capitalist society, supply and demand governs market prices, you aren't ripping anyone off if they are willing to pay the price of it, they know what they are in for, a livestrong wristband for $26. And i'm sure LAF did do some market research beforehand before they released the bands, wouldn't it be pretty obvious that there WOULD be a demand of over 6 million given the incredible popularity of LA and from the general cyclcing community? I'm sure they expected things like this to come up. And even tho it would be good, I don't think it is immoral to keep part of the money you earned due to this under supply. and note, i'm taking a general view here, not that i'm gonna put my 2 bands up on ebay or anything.

And may I ask what you would do if you had the last livestrong band in the world and the richest man ion the world offered you 2 million bucks for it. What would you do?

just an honest opinion. and oh, i repost my reply just becasue i really thought it didn't make any sense the first time i wrote it (spelling, grammar, missing words, ..) I didn't mean to insult you in anyway sorry.

why didn't they sell them for like $5 in the first place? that would have reduced the demand for the bracelets enough for them to keep up with it. This may also have prevented people from being able to sell their own for ridiculous prices at no benefit to LAF.

why didn't they sell them for like $5 in the first place? that would have reduced the demand for the bracelets enough for them to keep up with it. This may also have prevented people from being able to sell their own for ridiculous prices at no benefit to LAF.

They would then have a $21 profit instead of $25.

No, because LAF wouldn't have run out in the first place.(or generated 5 times more revenue). I would have thought that they would have considered this BEFORE they ran out.

You can't ever expect something like this to take off so well. It became a bit of a phenomenon. Nobody should make a significant profit off of this except for the foundation. Unfortunately the rampant capitalist can always make excuses to make a quick buck. In a society where most people are out for themselves, it is difficult to make a point about doing the right thing for the sake of. That's unfortunate for those of us who believe that donating to a noble cause is just the right thing to do, and profiting off of said cause is an injustice. I think you need to take a look at what you're saying when you try to justify making a profit off of something meant to help others. You are trying to justify selling it to someone else at an inflated price, if we weren't talking about contributions to a charitable cause that would be fine, but we're talking about money that was meant to go to fight cancer, not line the pockets of a greedy capitalist pig. I know that our financial system is one of the best ways to run a country, but it makes you see the point of those who wanted to try socialism.

socialism-good points

capitalism-good points

Capitalism is better but attracts greedy sob's

Indeed. A good example is present on the boards right now - there's some clown selling "Lance for President" t-shirts. Says he'll donate 25 percent of the proceeds to LAF (believe it when I see it). Also says you get a signed letter from LA thanking you (again, BIWISI - I don't think LA even knows about it). I posted a reply to his thread insinuating a scam and he replied back sounding a bit, um, insulted. Then he just deleted my reply altogether. Check out the site he links to, though - cheap looking, no price listed for the shirt (?) and, in all honesty, the shirt is just plain ugly. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.

aren't you all forgetting something, most pharmaceutical companies are out for a profit too. Why don't you all go and ask them to sell them simply at cost so that more patients could obtain them? No, sorry to point it out to you guys, but that's not how the world works. Do you know how many needy patients do not get the treatment they need jsut becasue they can't afford the drugs they need so badly? I don't see those companies doing anything to accomodate them.

It's frustrating I know, but that's just how things go.

I got my Back ordered bands today less than 2 weeks since I ordered them. Anyone want one I let them go for $50

































Okay just kidding they are all reseved for family memebrs they have to shell out the $50 :D

NgateGuy you almost earned yourself an anthrax ladden letter :P


no seriously, as ppl have said, we live in a capitalist society
We sure take you seriously now, I didn't know ppl = people, holy smokes batman!

I think that all drug companies should have to be not for profit, I think that it might lower the prices a little bit.

My backordered ones just showed up too. I have about 8 extras. If anyone wants one, first come, first served, I'll send them out, and your conscience can decide how much you want to send as a donation to LAF. I'll send yours free and pay for postage. Just make your own donation.

i am seriously considering selling the livestrong bracelets on ebay and legitimately donating all profits to the LAF. my aunt died of cancer this year and left behind 2 beautiful little girls. I wear my livestrong bracelet in her honor. i recently started doing bike rides for charity and at the scenic shore 150 in wisconsin my family raised over $1100 for cancer research. The money raised on ebay would go to the LAF and this would also be done in her honor...i was just wondering what you guys think about the idea. This is a website dedicated to my aunt: AngelDiane (www.angeldiane.com)

I think that all drug companies should have to be not for profit, I think that it might lower the prices a little bit.

don't be naive.

Go for it I guess. If you really are going to donate to the LAF. Doesn't seem to be any shortage of people willing to pay obscene amounts of money.

don't be naive.
Don't say that without an explanation

Don't say that without an explanation

Would there be such diverse drug companies if there was no motivation for it? Such as profit?

I think that all drug companies should have to be not for profit, I think that it might lower the prices a little bit.

whoa whoa whoa there slippery slope -- All hospitals aren't even non-profit. And don't make me go all Ayn Rand on your keister, cause i will when provoked.