Is taking advantage if price mistakes wrong?

[Daniel]

Due to the Expedia deal, there's been some discussion lately about the moral and halachic issues with taking advantage of price mistakes. I personally got into the Expedia deal, but I was having second thoughts.

If one uses the $300 for a trip from TLV to NYC then I have no issues with that because that's what the coupon was made for- a discount. The fact that Expedia did not put a minimum purchase or some other condition was obviously their fault. The question is if it's OK to take advantage of it.

It could also be argued that this was not a price mistake at all. Companies give away things all the time in order to attract people to their sites. Although this would be a big giveaway- it's not a clear "price mistake" like that webcam deal from today.

What do you guys think?

[aaa]

Yes.

[aaa]

No.

[Daniel]

[Daniel]

Pasting Dan's Response Here:

Dan/Ctownbochur Says:
November 26th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@Thanx dan..But—:
I see you’re the same anonymous commenter from the other post, welcome back.
Plenty of stores give away items for free as a promotion! It’s not like I created the Expedia promo code, they obviously made it for a reason. It’s good marketing dollars to give stuff for free and create a buzz.
And noone forces online stores to honor these mistakes. They can easily just cancel all the orders if they don’t want to honor them. The fact that Expedia is honoring the free tickets just proves that they made the promo and stood by it and liked the attention it got for them. They could have made a $300 promo code with a $1,000 spending minimum, but they didn’t and there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of a giveaway!
It’s also against halacha to make up a halacha, perhaps keep that in mind next time you accuse me of posting deals that are against your so-called halacha…
Cheers!

[Monsey]

Its no difference then going into a store and the store scans the item and its the wrong price thats muttar (tu'is ackum). Even though in a store if you tell them you will make a kiddush hashem its still muttar but i understand if you rather tell them and make a KH however online there is absolutely no reason not to take advantage

[Monsey]

@daniel
if you dont want to use your flight and hotel ill be happy to take it and get myself the refund

[Dan]

Pasting Dan's Response Here:

Dan/Ctownbochur Says:
November 26th, 2010 at 10:23 am
@Thanx dan..But—:
I see you’re the same anonymous commenter from the other post, welcome back.
Plenty of stores give away items for free as a promotion! It’s not like I created the Expedia promo code, they obviously made it for a reason. It’s good marketing dollars to give stuff for free and create a buzz.
And noone forces online stores to honor these mistakes. They can easily just cancel all the orders if they don’t want to honor them. The fact that Expedia is honoring the free tickets just proves that they made the promo and stood by it and liked the attention it got for them. They could have made a $300 promo code with a $1,000 spending minimum, but they didn’t and there’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of a giveaway!
It’s also against halacha to make up a halacha, perhaps keep that in mind next time you accuse me of posting deals that are against your so-called halacha…
Cheers!

To put in in perspective, this is what I was responding to:

"Thanx dan..But--- Says:

November 26th, 2010 at 9:57 am (Edit this comment)

Dan -Please remember you represent more than just yourself— whether u like it or not u represent the Jewish people… especially since you very public about that fact–therefore you have tremendous responsibility to give a positive impression etc
Jewish law is very strict when it comes to others money…and many of your “deals” are blatantly against or border line against Halakah…
…Just a few things to think about!

Thanx"

[Dan]

Its no difference then going into a store and the store scans the item and its the wrong price thats muttar (tu'is ackum). Even though in a store if you tell them you will make a kiddush hashem its still muttar but i understand if you rather tell them and make a KH however online there is absolutely no reason not to take advantage

It is different.
Expedia made a promo for this.
Best Buy online has the chance to review and cancel.  In a store they don't.

Anyway, deal is alive again:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/10924

[Daniel]

I agree with you guys. However, some people get carried away with these deals and start crossing the line with lying and forging etc... or just start getting greedy...

[elikay]

Yes.

No.

One Jew two opinions!

[SuperFlyer]

I'd say its baal tash'chis NOT to use some of those deals. 

[Daniel]

Is changing email addresses and names to get "one per household" deals not wrong?

[SuperFlyer]

Alright, next time we will switch household.