Somehow, I'm not sensing the same degree of indignation about the ethics/morality of our hypothetical bookseller offering our hypothetical private seller only 25 cents on the dollar. As to which is better, at least Example A offered a transparent market transaction and the possibility of a price closer to fair market value.
Kevin Kelly writes:
A. Kevin buys book at auction for $500 and sells for $2000. Consignor gets $340. B. Kevin buys book from seller for $500 and sells for $2000. Consignor gets $500.
Which is better?