[W&B] A question of ethics & obligation

[Milan Zahorcak]

Greetings o' witty bantering group,
 
I'll bet some of us were wondering where that subject line was heading . . .
but no, this is just a question for the group, and interestingly enough, not
hypothetical.  I'm dealing with one of these right now.
 
I've been in this situation before and haven't been able to come up with a
intellectually or emotionally satisfying response.
 
Here's the situation:
 
Let us say that there is a rare, interesting, and very badly described lens
on eBay . . . could be something else, but I don't get very many questions
about something else.
 
Let's say someone - obviously not a member of this group, else they'd figure
it out immediately - contacts me and asks me if I can tell them anything
about the lens, what is my opinion, how much is it worth, etc.  The usual
questions that anyone would like to know.
 
Now, I know EXACTLY what it is, etc., and as it happens, I am already
watching the same item with the intention of bidding.
 
What do I do?  Am I obliged to answer?  How?
 
Would it matter if the person asking was a stranger? or a member of this
group? or a close friend . . . actually I already know how to deal with
close friends as those of you who have ever received a death threat from me
are aware.
 
But does knowing the person matter?
 
In any case, what are my obligations?  And what do I say?
 
Also, what if I had not been watching the item? and in asking, the person
brought it to my attention?  Is my obligation any different?
 
That's it.   I'm interested to hear what y'alls thoughts are.
 
mz
 
PS:  Do I have any obligation to the seller?
 
 
 
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