Archive: Around Town

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 Lansing's Advice Column


Dear IMO,

A few months ago, I purchased a unique table from a friend at her garage sale for $75.00. Although she did not know its value, I jokingly told her she could be selling a priceless antique worth thousands of dollars. She chuckled and said “Just give me the money, and the table is yours.”

At the time, I had a hunch it was a very valuable piece of furniture. After careful examination and a second opinion from an antique dealer, my suspicions were confirmed. The dealer was eager to purchase the table as he had a customer looking for this exact piece. He offered me a large sum of money for the table, and I accepted his offer.

While driving home from the dealer’s shop, I began to think about my friend who sold me the table. Perhaps I should tell her about my trip to the antique dealer and give her a portion of the money I received for the table. She, too, knows the antique dealer, and he might mention my visit to his shop. Do you think it’s a good idea to tell her and give her a portion of the money? I value her friendship and would not want this little incident to harm it in any way.

Sincerely,

Phil

Dear Phil,

So let me get this straight. You bought a table from a friend, a table which you believed to be worth considerably more than the $75 you paid for it. You “jokingly” told her she might be selling, rather giving away a valuable antique, and both of you had a good laugh. You went to a dealer. He gave you a lot of money for the table, and now you want to cover your backside by throwing a few bucks her way?

This is hardly a little incident. It borders on deception and fraud. If your friend is someone who likes to be taken advantage of by her friends, then by all means, proceed as planned. Give her the few hundred dollars and have a good laugh on her. I’m sure she’ll find your humor as amusing as I do.

However, if you have one shred of decency and concern for your friend, you ought to tell her the story and give back all of the money you received for the table, less the $75 you paid her for it at the garage sale. You did not stumble unknowingly upon this treasure. In fact, you probably noticed it immediately and calculated the nice profit you could make on your initial investment. How would you feel if you were duped by a friend? Would you consider such a person your friend? I think not. If you choose the high ground and come clean, she might give you a portion of the money from the sale of her table. Remember the Golden Rule, even at garage sales.

 

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