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[sugarblue_sunny]

Because I'm interested in the debate on this subject, I have a question for you:

If [and only if!] you are okay with borrowing items made of animal products [such as purses/clothes/shoes] or purchasing such items secondhand [such as from a thrift store or a previous owner], what would your stance be on renting these products [such as leather purses

Comments

[rebirthoxide]

How is it a debate if you only want one sided opinions?

[sugarblue_sunny]

Just because I want to narrow down responses doesn't mean the opinions will be one-sided by any means. Some people who feel that way about secondhand stuff will not feel the same way about this, etc. But it's almost an absolute guarantee that people who are against animal products in any circumstances, even secondhand/used/etc. will be against it in this condition, which is what would make it more one-sided.

[rebirthoxide]

I would have to say that a very marginal amount of people who are ok with buying/borrowing secondhand corpses are going to "debate" the idea of renting them. It would be splitting hairs to justify the former and not the latter. I must admint, though, seeing a room full of fashionistas trying to justify one but not the other would be pretty funny.

By removing a cross section of opinion, you're turning a debate into a meeting of like-minded folks. By drawing together people who agree on the subject, I seem to catch a slight whiff of "condoning". It's cool if you think it's ok, and I don't blame you for wanting to find people who agree with you, but traffic shaping (in the poorly veiled guise of making your "debate" seem more "accurate") in this community goes over like a turd in a punchbowl.

[friend_of_tofu]

It would be splitting hairs to justify the former and not the latter.

I hope I've set out some reasons why I don't consider this to be the case; it's very much about circumstances.

[rebirthoxide]

Right, but finding a definition for those circumstances is the hard part. I do see people justifying the usage of designer products from "used" clothing stores as the same as if they swung by the local savers and got a 99 cent purse. The line you drew is easy to blur, and very open to interpretation.

Curse you, Dostoevsky!

[friend_of_tofu]

Oh, I agree it is. Which is why it's probably good to have a clear idea of motivations in mind, and also to try and learn a bit about the business one is approaching before engaging with it. What is its purpose? How does it acquire its stock? Etc. All the usual ethical consumer malarkey.

If I'm giving money to a worthwhile cause which isn't promoting something I find intolerable, then I'm fine with it, provided that I think my choices are, pragmatically, for the greater good overall.

To take a different example; I do NOT shop at the Cancer Research charity shops for anything animal-based or not, because they give money to animal research which I do not approve of or wish to condone. But I do support the aims of, say, Oxfam or Age Concern, and if my work boots have worn out and they happen to have a donated pair, I'm OK with using them because I don't feel that I am thereby contributing towards something I hate. The damage there has already been done.

[sugarblue_sunny]

Not to mention that much of the funds raised for "Cancer Research" don't actually go to research at all, from what I've read, but that's a whole 'nother debate for a different time and place. I definitely agree with getting things like heavy-duty work boots from places like Oxfam, etc., because the sad truth is that leather work boots are often more durable than their vegan-friendly counterparts [not always the case, though, but definitely better for those unable to afford the quality alternatives].

[friend_of_tofu]

Now I work for my current job, who will buy me new boots, I can always get them from Vegetarian Shoes, which makes me really happy. But in the past, I was much poorer and still needed work boots :-(

I have a few old boots and don't like to throw away things which are still functional. That seems like an added insult to the animal that died to make those damn boots!

[sugarblue_sunny]

That's my current dilemma. I have these old leather Skechers that are just beautiful in function. The cloth insides are torn up from use but the outside is fine, but I can't get them to sell because of the inside, and I can't bear to throw them away, and I can't stand to use them. *sigh*

[friend_of_tofu]

Give them to a poor friend, maybe? At least you are spreading the resource, and ensuring they are used to the end of their lives.

[sugarblue_sunny]

Sadly, I have massive feet for a girl, but small feet for a guy. I know no one in my shoe size.

[dwaynewayne_502]

thrift?

[rebirthoxide]

I wish more people took into consideration the things you do before going and spending money.

For those that would rather have a purse for a week, or boots for a night, I have the perfect solution:

Leather libraries! Donate your gently used coach purse to help those in need look "pretty" too.

All late fees get donated to abolitionist organizations.

[friend_of_tofu]

Heh! And could the librarians cane people who brought them back late? ;-P

(I know a bunch of librarians; this thought would make them so happy)

Just FMI, what is a "coach purse"? I am insufficiently fashionable to know this

[sugarblue_sunny]

Coach is "the poor girl's prada". It's a designer label that's a tad bit more affordable than most designer bags, and so it's quite popular. At least from what I know, I stay out of the fashion scene where things that are inevitably made of leather/fur/etc. are concerned, and I've yet to find a really, really, really nice site for vegan bags.

[friend_of_tofu]

Ah OK, I am more of a practical bag person myself, so I rarely use handbags. I like the pretty, but I also like being able to carry things around. The whole designer bag thing leaves me a bit cold.

Thanks!