Question
Will the following business model be permissible: Seller 'S' lists a canvas wall art product for sale on his website which 'S' does not have possession over. Buyer 'B' purchases the canvas from the site by paying the full cost of the product. Once 'S' receives the payment through Paypal or a similar service, 'S' places an order to the Manufacturer 'M' at a wholesale price. 'M' prints the design/art onto a canvas and dispatches/ ships it to 'B', whilst 'S' keeps the difference between the listed price and wholesale price as profit. The item listing/page on the Seller's site from where customers can purchase the product includes the following information: -Complete unambiguous description of the item being sold. -A reasonably accurate time duration for the delivery is given. -It has been clearly stated/ disclosed that, upon payment the item will be manufactured by the manufacturer and then delivered directly from the manufacturer to the customer. (Is this necessary?)
Answer
This deal is not permissible. It is not valid. Selling an item which does not belong to you nor has it even been manufactured, is not permissible.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 25 No 08
- PDF page
- 5
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).