Lesson #102: The Microwave Salesman
A fellow is driving his van through the neighborhoodwhen he sees a group of kollel students leaving their kollel to returnhome. He rolls down the window andoffers to drive them home, and they hop in.
During the ride, the driver drew the young scholars'attention to the microwave ovens in the back of the van. He explained that a store was having aclearance sale, and these ovens were all refurbished. The storeowner said that he was selling themat an excellent discounted price. Thedriver told the kollel students what he paid, and described to them thecondition of the ovens.
"What do you guys think?" he asked. "Did I get a good deal?"
The students did not know what to do. It was clear to them that the driver gotripped off, paying for low-quality, refurbished microwave ovens that were inpoor condition.
The driver then said, "I was a commando in theIsraeli army; nobody messes with me. Ifthis fellow ripped me off, I'm going to get back at him. He's going to pay!"
What should the students do in this case?
Normally, one is allowed to advise somebody that hewas overcharged and taken advantage of if there is some practical benefit –meaning, if he could return the merchandise and get his money back. If there is no practical purpose served bydivulging this information, then, as we have learned in previous lessons inthis series, it is forbidden to inform the customer that he wasovercharged. In the case underdiscussion, however, when the customer seems prepared to take revenge againstthe merchant, it would be outright forbidden to tell him that the store ownercheated him, even if he could potentially get his money back. Since this would pose real danger to thestore owner, given the possibility that the customer might inflict physicalharm or damage his property, the students are not permitted to tell him thatthey think he was grossly overcharged. If the situation was such that the driver could potentially get hismoney back, then they would need to first consult with competent Rabbis, or aBet Din, for guidance. The Rabbi or BetDin will advise them as to whether telling the driver the truth would indeedendanger the store owner, or whether this would be allowed.
In general, we need to know whom we are dealingwith, and consider very carefully if telling even truthful information couldpose danger.