Am I breaking my own digging code of ethics?:canadaflag:

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose.....I am a firm believer that this is a hobby and not for a profit sort of thing. I have never sold anything that I have dug up before save for a tin of junk that I was going to throw out and a Bud from PEI said send it over and we'll go 50 50 ( made $400 USA on that which financed a trip to dig in Yarmouth for a few days) but a retired Mountie at work wishes to buy the ring that is in the photo.

What are your thoughts about this as I'm of a mixed train of thought on the issue that to me is not going to be a new trend nor norm but a one shot special thing?<center><img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d830b3127cce85e7081136a800000026108AcM2bhk4ZN2"></center>

 

[BigCatDaddy]

That's a tough one, Leslie. One one hand, cold, hard cash is hard to pass up and your might insult his pride by trying to give it to him. On the other hand, if that's a found ring, it didn't cost you anything and the pleasure you might get from giving a gift to a fellow human being might be priceless and I'm sure some good karma would come your way! (and from your last couple of posts, you could use a little!!)
I have, in the past, given away some rings and things to people that I thought would appreciate them and it seemed to make them happy and it gave me a good deal of pleasure too!! But then, there's that cold, hard cash bug-a-boo!! Maybe just sell it to him for $1 and you can both walk away with pride and karma intact!!

 

[Jason in PA]

I kind of echo what BigCat is saying. I only love doing this for the hobby, not to profit. There are expenses with the hobby (Batteries, and gas money) so either way you look there is good reason....tough call. If I was to find a ring (Class ring) that the owner could be found, and proven who the person is, it is easier to just return the ring. If a person just is interested in purchasing something that you found that they are interested in, it is more understandable to take a little something for it.

Again, it's a tough call.
Jason

 

[gwn]

what a dillema...how attached are you to it...you could use to cash to buy Marie something nice

 

[DavHut]

Sell it to the man. Ask him what he'll give, then accept it graciously. You'll make a friend of him for sure. And as you know all to well, you cant have to many friends in this life.

You can't take it with you, anyway, and it might give him a few moments of pleasure in life to wear that ring and recount it's story. Make sure you tell him, in all your usual livid detail, just how and where you came to have it. That will give it some real 'cachet'.

 

[awhitster]

n/t

 

[silvernail]

Well, it is an interesting question isn't it? Does this hobby have a purpose that goes much beyond the fascination of the chase ... and what does any of it have to do with ethics? You spend your clad don't you? What would you do with a coin that would bring a million $ at auction? I would say - project yourself to a year from the day you make the decision to keep it or not, and see if you think you will regret the decision you made. It's yours to do whatever with you please. Personally, I would regret it if I didn't get at least spot value out of it and whatever premium it's special significance might warrant.

 

[Uncle Willy]

If he wants it and you don't - sell it. One thing I've never seen is a hearse dragging a U-Haul behind it to the cemetery.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Or another tector.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah I've given away a bunch of my rings - some of my best that I wish I had back. One of the guys that posts here has a regular business on Ebay selling his finds. Nothing wrong with picking up a buck here and there.

Bill

 

[awhitster]

I look at it this way. When I detect, I am walking around with about $350-$400 worth of equipment. I see know problem trying to get some of it back by selling a few things. To me there is no difference in selling something or turning in your change. Either way, you are taking something you found and getting money for it. Just my humble opinion.

 

[bubblehead]

Sell it....no law against a hobby being profitable. Nice ring, by the way. My cousin is a retired Mountie.....hmmmmm

 

[Uncle Willy]

Me to also.

Bill