A sourcing trip left me with a heavy conscience.

I picked up some amazing hand-woven fabric from a market. Later, I found out the artisans were paid almost nothing. I'm torn between supporting their craft and exploiting it.

3 comments

3 Comments

blake_black474d ago

Actually, I see it differently. That money probably helped them more than no sale at all. Stopping buys might just leave them with nothing.

kaimartinez4d ago

Yeah, the idea that any money is better than none sounds right, but my friend had a different experience. She bought a painting from a local artist who was really struggling. The artist used that quick cash to cover a bill, but then had no reason to raise prices or find better buyers. In the end, she felt like her cheap buy kept him stuck in a cycle of low value work. Have you ever seen that happen where a well meaning buy actually holds someone back?

noahlane4d ago

It's like how people get stuck in bad service jobs because the tips just barely cover rent. Low but steady pay can trap you as much as no pay sometimes.