This post concludes our 7 part series on “Homeschool Conventions.” Go to the first post here.
Many home educator’s have one thing in mind when they begin looking for resources – cheap! Most even have a good excuse for doing so. Many homeschoolers have a limited single income, and a larger than average family, and they have learned that those funds have to really stretch. But I want to challenge your thinking – as God has not called us to be cheap, but to be good stewards; and they are not one and the same thing. He also has given us a higher calling, to integrity.
Stewardship is glorifying God with our money and possessions. It is being wise in our purchases. It is not just getting the “cheapest price” (or selling at the highest dollar we can get) while allowing our integrity to wane.
Over the years I’ve seen and heard lack of Christian ethics when it comes to purchasing home ed resources – sadly, many more times than it should be for “Christians.” It might be as a seller, in “masking” the poor quality/condition or important information, such as version, of a resource, they are trying to sell used. Or it might be as a buyer, in not giving the “workman” his “due wages”. Here are a couple tips to help you maintain your integrity in buying and selling home ed resources.
1. As a seller of your used materials, fairly represent and fairly price your items. This doesn’t mean you have to give them away or under-price them. Just be fair. Too many times I hear from people who were “ripped off” by “Christian” sellers. The bottom line is always to bless. As a seller bless others as you have been blessed – and if you have made a mistake or were ripped off yourself, humbly accept the lesson learned, and still bless.
2. As a buyer, purchase from those who have invested their time and money in you, especially in giving you personal information. The web has provided a way of finding out a lot about home ed resources without taking someone’s time. You can browse and read what many have to say about a resource. You can browse a curriculum hall that way too. If you need no more information, purchase where you can get the best price.
But when your decision requires a “bit more info”, take into consideration who has given you “free” information and their time to help you decide what to purchase. Did you spend time at a convention booth or workshop asking questions, or email them questions which they answered? If so, that vendor is the one that has earned your sale, even if they don’t have the cheapest price. They have invested in you, now you should invest in them. It isn’t “good stewardship” to get info from one company then buy from a cheaper company. It is robbing the seller of the wages they have earned, and acting without integrity. Again, as a buyer, bless those who bless you. Purchase from those who provide you with the info you need to make your decision, especially personal info.
Whether you’re buying or selling, make integrity more than the monetary bottom line your primary factor.
Now, go browse those internet sites – including ours! Find the resources you’re interested in. Then, at convention or through email, ask the seller that you will buy from any further questions you have. Then spend those hard earned, sometimes hard to take from other budget needs, dollars in a wise way, by being both fair and a good steward.
Have a great time at convention – and get some great resources! And I hope you’ve found the information here worthy, and will consider purchasing through us.
