Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
Is it unethical to go into a shop (knowing full well you're not buying anything there, down the street, or online) and take up a salesperson's time chatting and asking questions about things?
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Hm... yes. For instance, the salesperson isn't available to another customer during this time, who might actually want to buy, but leaves the shop in frustration. Or, if s/he waits until you've finished with the salesperson, you steal this customer's time. Of course, we can't really help doing unethical things every now and then (or all the time), this is an unavoidable part of life, but shouldn't we try to both admit and minimize it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
I just don't understand how "unethical" gets attached at the, "and then buys it online" point. It seems so random.
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Because it excludes the
possibility of a purchase, on which the store's business model is based. The salesperson's time is given because you
may decide to buy something, and by posing as a potential customer, you imply that you
may want to buy. If you
know that you won't, then you are being dishonesty, aren't you? I don't think it's a major crime, and it probably won't kill the store, but to the direct yes-or-no question whether it is ethical or not, I'd say no.