Impression of a New Product - When Not Sure About Buying from the Seller
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Question
Hello, A person interested in purchasing a car of a certain model is still in the early stages of consideration. The person wants to take a test drive of the car. Here are the options available: 1. Contact a leasing company/car dealership and come to inspect 2. Contact a private individual selling the car and come to inspect Regarding the first option, the person believes that most likely they will not buy from leasing but would prefer to buy from a private individual. Regarding the second option, the person believes that most likely they will not buy immediately when meeting the car seller, but will need to digest the information. Which option should be chosen? And where is there a concern of deception?
Answer
Hello
There is no prohibition of theft here, as the drive is done with the owner's consent. However, there is a prohibition from the perspective of 'deception'.
If one tells the seller that they are currently checking the car and will decide later whether to buy - that is fine.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, Siman 228, Se'if 4
What is verbal deception: do not say: how much do you want to sell this item for, if you do not intend to buy it.