Wow, this thread is a couple years old. Interesting.
Anyway, I don’t think you’ve noticed that we seem to be using the term ‘bad deal’ differently – or rather, I think you have noticed, and you just haven’t bothered with trying to correct the situation.
My example of a ‘bad deal’ was somebody selling an apple for 50c, and somebody else thinking it’s a bad deal because they’re not willing to pay more than 25c for it.
Your example of a ‘bad deal’ was somebody deliberately and knowingly lying to someone about the value of something they owned so they could get it for pennies on the dollar. Basically ripping someone off because of their ignorance.
I think there’s a pretty big difference between the first example and the second one. I have no reason to think there’s anything unethical going on in the apple example – someone is selling something at a certain price, and someone else is unwilling to buy it.
The second one definitely has more questionable ethics. I wouldn’t say it’s quite as unethical as stealing, but it’s pretty darn close.
But, if you think it’s unethical to offer an apple for 50c to someone who doesn’t want to pay that much for an apple, please, tell me why.