Canadian Goose Donates Down Jackets to Earthquake-stricken Areas Suspected of Being Resold on Xianyu, Official Response： "The online rumors are not true." How do you view this matter?

Feels like a hype

Actually, even if each of these down jackets were distributed to the disaster victims, there would inevitably be reselling…

Selling it for 8500 a piece, I would sell it too, then buy a domestic one for 500, and make a profit of 8000 yuan immediately.

All donated items should be marked with “Donated Item - Not for Sale” and it must be printed in a prominent position.

Compared to reselling goods, the probability of selling counterfeit products is higher in this case. The question is all about limited editions, and the differences are all brought about by limited editions.

Exclusive Insights from Xiaohu for Friends of Knowledge.

By | Zongwei

Recently, a screenshot from a user on the Idle Fish platform appeared, where someone was supposedly selling “Aid for Gansu Earthquake Area Canada Goose Down Jackets.” This screenshot quickly circulated on social media.

Can rescue supplies be resold? The announcement by Canada Goose on December 21st to donate 2,000 down jackets and cold-weather supplies raised concerns among many netizens.

After gaining public attention, the staff of the Earthquake Relief Headquarters in Jishishan County stated that these supplies had already safely arrived in a village under Jishishan County, and they were researching how to distribute them properly. The staff also emphasized that the distribution of relief supplies was closely supervised and tracked by the county’s Discipline Inspection Commission, and there was “no issue of reselling.”

The head of the Shanghai Charity Foundation’s Materials Center stated that the 2,001 Canada Goose down jackets had all been delivered to Gansu, and “the quantity has been verified without any issues.” Idle Fish also quickly responded, stating that the actual situation was that users were creating false rumors about reselling disaster relief materials to attract attention. The platform had taken down the listings and permanently banned the accounts involved.

I checked Idle Fish, and indeed, I couldn’t find any related information anymore. However, this doesn’t seem to completely resolve the controversy. Many netizens still worry that even if Canada Goose’s donated supplies were not resold, they might not actually reach the disaster victims.

Someone mentioned a line from the TV drama “Iron Teeth and Copper Teeth Ji Xiaolan,” where He Shen educates Ji Xiaolan, saying, “If we don’t mix some sand into the relief porridge, will it ever reach the mouths of the disaster victims?”

In the public’s perception, Canada Goose jackets typically cost over ten thousand yuan, making them luxury items. Distributing relief supplies involves numerous individuals and processes. Who can guarantee that ill-intentioned individuals won’t divert them at some point? Or give them to disaster victims for a photo op and then take them back?

A quick search of past news reveals that irregularities in the distribution of relief supplies during disaster relief efforts are not uncommon.

Based on this, many netizens argue that Canada Goose’s donation of high-priced down jackets is not wise. It can easily lead to controversies and may not meet the actual needs. Instead, they suggest donating money directly — considering the severe cold in the Jishishan earthquake area, there is a shortage of cold-weather gear. In this case, the disaster victims might need cheaper but more abundant down jackets and military coats.

Some netizens even suggest selling the Canada Goose jackets locally and using the proceeds to purchase more affordable down jackets from other brands. Others suspect the brand’s motives, suggesting that they are using the donation for marketing rather than genuine altruism.

These viewpoints may seem reasonable on the surface, but they are not necessarily sound. Setting aside the debate about whether to donate money or supplies, it’s a company’s prerogative to decide. They have their considerations regarding which approach is better.

Everyone knows that the disaster-stricken area has severe cold weather, and there is a high demand for down jackets. Even if Canada Goose donated money directly, the local authorities would still have to use the funds to purchase clothes and blankets. This would introduce an additional step and associated risks. Moreover, for companies, liquidity is precious. Suddenly taking out tens of millions in cash could affect their operations, so disaster relief often focuses on donating supplies. Some suggest that Canada Goose could offer discounted jackets for fundraising, but now even when they donate clothes, some people question their motives.

In fact, this time it’s not just Canada Goose donating down jackets. Other down jacket companies, like Bosideng and Tembo, have also made similar donations. In the face of a disaster, the commercial value of down jackets is not that important; their utility value is what matters. Emphasizing their high price at this time may make it seem less significant.

Moreover, even if the brand has complex considerations, what does it matter? What’s important is the act of charity itself, which is genuine and not just a show. Emphasizing the purity of the donation’s purpose and subjecting donors to strict moral scrutiny is not about defending charity but discouraging well-intentioned acts, making them feel that it’s better to do nothing.

In fact, what Canada Goose donates is not the main focus of this matter. Regardless of what companies donate, as long as they ensure fair and transparent distribution of donated items, withstand public scrutiny, and even if only a small portion of people benefit, it is still a positive story. Building public trust is not difficult, prioritizing distribution to the hardest-hit villages and continuously documenting the distribution process can address these concerns.

In previous reports on the Jishishan earthquake, both the Discipline Inspection Commission at the Linxia Prefecture and the Jishishan County levels were instructed to “supervise closely,” focusing on key aspects such as the resettlement of affected communities and the distribution of relief supplies. The Shanghai Charity Foundation also stated that after all the items were distributed locally, they would publicize the distribution on their official website.

With so many eyes watching, it’s believed that the company’s goodwill will not be in vain, and the down jackets will reach the disaster victims who truly need them.

Canada Goose’s donated down jackets being resold? Public and transparent distribution is the key to reassuring people.

Are there still fewer monsters and demons during the pandemic? Are they still acting like foreign guests here?

Nothing Special, Those Managing Supplies and Logistics Do It This Way

If I personally have no personal gain from it, then for such obviously high-value luxury items, I’ll keep them in the warehouse without distributing them to anyone. If you question me, I can show you. The items are here. If you ask me why I’m not distributing them, I’m sorry, but we have enough military coats in the warehouse. Do you want warmth or a brand? I can respond with a single word.

How can I distribute just 2000 of these things? Who should I give them to? Anyone who doesn’t receive them will report me. If I keep them in the warehouse, I’ll just endure criticism. No one will accuse me of taking more than I should. But if I distribute them and someone doesn’t get one, they will definitely assume that I benefited. The key is that once the items are gone, I have to prove my innocence.

That’s how it is in China. Either nobody has it, or everyone has it. Some people having it just isn’t acceptable.

It’s Not Quite Appropriate to Say This, but Donating Luxury Items for Aid is Best Avoided

A few days ago, when Bai Bing donated Gucci, I felt it was inappropriate. Gucci is not cheap, and will it really reach the disaster victims? When we were kids, there was the “Hope Project,” and the better clothes, shoes, backpacks, and new things donated were all taken by the children of local officials. The children who truly needed them still had shabby items. When donating supplies to disaster-stricken areas, unless there are specific reasons, it’s often better not to use branded luxury items. Instead, use items from factories without a brand, as long as the quality is acceptable. I don’t deny the intentions of brands like Canada Goose and Gucci; they mean well. However, when more people are involved and the items are high-end, many unexpected developments can occur.

For such malicious marketing behavior, it is truly abhorrent and devoid of any moral standards. Individuals who engage in such activities have dark hearts, prioritizing personal gain and traffic over ethics. Permanently banning such individuals is the right course of action.

The internet is not a lawless place, and everyone should abide by rules, exercise caution in their words and actions. Disaster relief is a serious matter, and anyone spreading false information or causing trouble should face legal consequences. They absolutely should not be allowed to evade the law with impunity.

Sensationalism: Many People Take It Seriously

There are so many counterfeit products on Idle Fish, it’s hard to count.

This highlights the need for anti-fraud campaigns to penetrate deeper into people’s minds.

There is a plethora of news that creates a crisis of societal trust.

However, we should refrain from undermining social trust ourselves.

In case you also need someone’s help,

you’ll know what it feels like not to be trusted.

The battlefield of public opinion deserves attention; let’s reject online rumors and the spread of false information.

When it comes to natural disasters, we should help without excessive hesitation. Excessive suspicion is unnecessary. The rescue mechanisms are in motion, with supervisory bodies and law enforcement agencies working tirelessly. During these times, profiteering from supplies will certainly be rigorously investigated!

Disaster relief is not like the chaotic scenes of the past; some should refrain from imagining opportunistic behaviors!

Donating Luxury Goods Directly to Disaster Areas, Whether by Individuals or Companies, Is Foolish

Yes, it’s foolish, no matter if it’s individuals or companies doing it.

Even if there’s not a hint of corruption during this time, and all the items are delivered to people in remote areas, why send them luxury goods? Is it for keeping warm? Keeping warm only requires warm clothing; there’s no need for any brand value.

Then there’s the question of how to distribute these 2,000 pieces of clothing, who to give them to, and there will always be someone saying it’s favoritism.

When a family’s house is shattered by an earthquake, the children are in school, and someone in the family needs medical attention, with an annual income of only twenty thousand, if you tell them at this time that the donated clothing they are wearing is worth over ten thousand, do you think they will continue wearing it or exchange it for money?

Can you control them for a while, but can you control them from not selling it later?

When they truly exchange this clothing for money, and it enters the secondhand market, there will immediately be people shouting, “Isn’t this Canada Goose for disaster relief?” It must have been embezzled, and it will stir up public opinion, with the local area taking the blame.

Using luxury items that lack practical value, relying solely on brand names to enhance their perceived value, to assist disaster victims.

It’s like a group of bored rich people coming up with this idea just for their amusement.

It’s fake, they would definitely dare to disclose the details of the supplies and be completely transparent.

If it’s true, Han Hong: It’s ordinary, just get used to it.

Some people are just out to criticize for the sake of criticism, spreading rumors every time, getting caught every time, and behind it all, there are certain charitable organizations.

Isn’t it disgusting?

All foundations have administrative fees, which are reasonable and unavoidable, in order to ensure the effective use of charitable donations.

The flow of relevant charitable funds and supplies is also clear. Would any charitable organization dare to do what she’s accused of?

On such a bitterly cold day… the supplies haven’t been distributed yet. Are they planning to wait until spring blossoms before doing so?

Donating Canada Goose to Disaster-Affected Areas: A Critical Examination

Yesterday, someone mentioned this to me. They started with “Canada Goose donated a batch of down jackets to the disaster area.” Before they could say anything else, I immediately asked, “What’s wrong with Canada Goose?”

Linxia has the lowest per capita GDP in China, without a doubt. The per capita GDP is just over 10,000 yuan, and the annual per capita disposable income is only 9,000 yuan. An average person can’t afford a Canada Goose jacket in a year. Donating Canada Goose to a disaster-stricken area, when the quantity is limited, boils down to two choices to ensure fairness:

1. Random distribution, where whoever receives it gets it.
2. Distribute the jackets to disaster victims and take them back after the relief effort ends.

In the first scenario, no one can guarantee truly equitable distribution to everyone. In the second scenario, even if fairness could be achieved by taking the jackets back, what if the victims claim the clothing was lost or damaged? How would you handle that? Ask them to compensate?

Honestly, I’ve thought about it, and even if I have no ulterior motives, I cannot distribute thousands of jackets fairly. On the contrary, the extremely high value of these jackets, even if they reach the disaster victims, could lead to resale – put yourself in their shoes, if you lived in a second-tier city and received a jacket worth 100,000 yuan after a disaster, would you immediately sell it to cover living expenses, even if you could only get 10% of its value?

In this context, questioning the management of the disaster-stricken area makes no sense. In fact, it’s possible that both institutional workers and the actual recipients of the jackets could engage in resale because such high-value, indivisible items are likely to generate this issue.

Even if, as some suggest, you print “Donated supplies, no resale allowed” on the Canada Goose jackets, as mentioned earlier, would disaster victims themselves refrain from selling them? When the price of a single down jacket equals a person’s annual expenses, even if they can only sell it for 10% of its value, it’s still a substantial income for them.

Of course, this issue extends beyond Canada Goose. When it comes to donations to disaster-stricken areas, it’s either best to donate money directly or donate essential items like instant noodles, canned goods, sanitary products, and tents. These items have a higher probability of reaching the affected population. Any indivisible items of medium to high value outside of this category may face various forms of hidden discrimination during distribution. Even if they reach disaster victims, people may still lean towards selling them.

This is not a problem that can be easily resolved with phrases like “strengthening supervision” or “strict regulations.” For businesses genuinely wanting to help disaster-stricken areas, they should refrain from using these superficial means to test human nature, as it serves no real purpose in aiding those in need.

Big daring!

A hot potato, not the scarcity, but the inequality is the concern. If it’s distributed for free, let alone a Canada Goose jacket, even an extra piece of meat in the bowl will make someone jealous.

If there’s a system like “work in exchange for relief,” I believe it can be given as a reward to those who have excelled in their labor.

It’s relatively fair, at least they earned it with their sweat.

Using a method similar to stamping pork with a mark, you can label both sides of the clothes with “Gansu Earthquake Zone Exclusive No. 1-8000.” This way, you can remove its luxury value and marketability. Down jackets are also afraid of water, so the rest can be supervised by the portion of the population who are diligent and inquisitive. Personally, if I weren’t really cold and in need of a coat, I wouldn’t want to receive this kind of item. If it’s a public official, they probably wouldn’t risk their job over a highly scrutinized item like this for the sake of greed.

Showing off ostentatiously, this kind of disaster relief method undermines stability and unity. Canada Goose should be heavily penalized for it.

You can buy 10,000 military coats on Pinduoduo for just a small amount of money.

There wouldn’t be any problems if the relief supplies were sent directly to the disaster victims. Check the details thoroughly, and it’s been five days without distribution, which is unacceptable. While it’s true that there’s a possibility of counterfeit goods on Xianyu, what’s the issue with not distributing the items after five days? Are they planning to switch the items or keep them for themselves? This is what makes me furious!

No wonder Heshen used to put sand in the porridge; it does make sense.

To get rice to the disaster victims, you have to mix in some sand for it to reach their mouths.