There are good reasons for businesses to lie to customers. It can be very convenient. It can be very profitable. I care not for that profit nor for that conveience.

          I can’t think of a situation that warrants me or my employees lying to customers. My employees have been given my blessing to tell our customers the truth. If we are negligent, irresponsible, unorganized,  lazy, whatever.....take responsibility, make amends, learn something and move on. 

  Only people lie.... but if it is a company policy, directed by the owners or management to lie, then, yes, that company, that organization, is dishonest. 

          You do not know how many times a day I say “I don’t know”. Usually it pertains to when a product that we do not have will become available.  I try to find out but often, I can’t,  but I will not lie or just make something up for my convenience. I may lose credability for my ignorance but I refuse to lose credability, with my customers, by lying.  

          Intentionally lying in advertisements can be very profitable. Take a product, intentionally mark it up beyond reason and offer an unbelievably huge discount. Who could pass up that bargain?  Only the informed or the outraged. 

          I witnessed a competitor back in the 80’s do this.  I walked into one of their stores before their ”Big Sale”. 6” hibiscus were for sale for $3.95 each.  A fair price.  There were more than 500 to chose from. I went back a week later and only about 20 were sold at $3.95.  The big sale happened. I went back another week later and lo and behold those same hibiscus, same size, in the same place, were now regularly priced at $13.95 each but were now 70% off and were $4.18 each. There were only about 50 left. Lying was very profitable for this nursery. Not so special for their starry-eyed discount driven customers.

          I have my four children working in my business and what kind of father would I be to teach my children to lie for convenience or profit.  

          I try to show a little humor in my blogs. Here is my attempt with this subject.

          If Mrs. Jones or Mrs. Smith show me pictures of their grandchildren and I say “those are some beautiful children”  I pray a little white lie could be forgiven.