Ebay and other online auction powerselling tips and information

I ran across this blog post yesterday on the Starbuck's Gossip Blog. Apparently a Starbuck's patron has been redeeming coupons for free Starbuck's drinks for the past 6 years. He purchases the coupons on eBay, at a fraction of what the actual drink would cost. He knows that the people selling them on eBay are Starbuck's employees.

Welcome to the dark side of eBay. This situation presents an ethical delimma. Most people have already figured out that many goods are so inexpensive on eBay because they are probably stolen. But, what if you knew for a fact that the items were stolen, but continued to buy them anyway? Doesn't this fuel the eBay underground?

I will admit, I have sold free product coupons on eBay. I usually receive these in the mail, or at a special event or grand opening of a store or restaurant. The Red Cross bribes me with movie tickets to come in and donate blood - and since I am not a movie-goer, I sell these on eBay. I'm not selling stolen items, but plenty of people are.

So, what is your opinion on this issue? Would you continue to buy coupons or tickets on eBay if you knew for a fact that they were stolen by employees, just to save yourself a few bucks? Is this the same as selling stolen goods on eBay? Please comment!