Question from a reader:
I think it’s a good idea for Koizumi-san to sell 5 kilograms of rice for 2000 yen, but should we really prohibit reselling?
Thoughts on the Reselling Issue and Rice Sales
Recently, the topic of rice sales has been gaining a lot of attention. I definitely think it’s a great idea for Koizumi-san to sell 5
kilograms of rice for 2000 yen. However, the issue of reselling has been on my mind. I share the same sentiment; I really dislike reselling. I don’t want to see someone hoarding supplies and driving up prices, especially in today’s world where it’s hard for everyone to get what they need.
Reasons Why Hoarding Might Not Happen
In reality, I don’t believe that hoarding or reselling occurs frequently due to the abundance of sales points. My friend mentioned, “Of course, there should be a one-bag limit,” and I think everyone would rush and sell out instantly. It’s a bit amusing to imagine a line of people waiting to buy rice. However, I might end up wanting to eat onigiri while waiting in line (laughs).
The Costs and Risks of Reselling
What price do resellers actually intend to sell at? If you add shipping costs (which is about 1,000 yen) to the 2000 yen rice and add on your profit, who would actually buy it? Even if you resell the rice that’s cheap at Don Quijote on Mercari, considering shipping, it just doesn’t seem profitable. I once thought about buying cheap snacks to resell, but I realized it wasn’t worth the hassle for the little profit I would make. Enjoying affordable and delicious food as it is is the best way to go. Sooner or later, one might think, “Who would be bored enough to repack heavy rice bags to resell?” I’ve considered trying it if I had the time, but in reality, it would be physically impossible for me (laughs).
Share Your Thoughts!
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the reselling issue and rice sales, which have been hot topics. What do you all think? Do you have any good ideas to prevent reselling? Or how do you feel about reselling in general? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s opinions.
