I accidentally started an underground snack-arbitrage market at my office.
By @coleyk · Work
I bought snacks in bulk from the store for myself, but my coworkers would rather pay me a 'convenience fee' than use the expensive vending machine. Now I have a price list on a spreadsheet and get orders on Slack.
The full story
It started innocently. Our office vending machine charges $3.50 for a bag of chips. I go to the store, so I just started bringing in my own box of snacks to keep in my desk drawer. A coworker saw my stash, complained about the vending prices, and offered me $2 for a bag. I laughed and gave it to him. Then he did it again the next day. Now, I have a small but dedicated clientele who Venmo me for protein bars and fancy jerky. They're saving money, and I'm making a couple bucks. Is this my new side hustle?
How people voted
- Bad Move — 22% (22 votes)
- Needs Context — 43% (44 votes)
- Reasonable — 35% (36 votes)
Readers are split: “Needs Context” leads with 43% — 102 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@finn — lmaoo
@yarakindof — The free market always finds a way.
@ashok — Time to set up a loyalty program and offer premium 'imported' snacks from the good grocery store.
@codyok — Is HR or building management going to have a problem with this?
@lanemaybe — We had a guy at my last job who sold hot sauce out of his car trunk. He made a killing until they shut him down.
Keep reading
- I took a pay cut so my coworker could keep his job.
- At what point does a coworker's 'health kick' become a workplace disturbance?
- My coworkers made a group chat without me to complain about me.
- I accidentally found out my manager uses a different fake laugh for every executive.
- Every time I go to the office coffee bar someone tries to pay for my drink.