[Avodah] How much for the mayo?

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

R"n Toby Katz asked:

> 2.  The actual cost of the mayo to me was zero -- since I only got
> that second jar because it was "get one free."  So I should charge
> her nothing? If I charge her anything, I am stealing from her?

My guess is that you can charge basically whatever you want. There are no special restrictions on you relating to how much you paid for the mayo. The only restrictions are those which would also relate to a merchant, which (to my extremely unlearned mind) are related to the normal selling price.

I could easily be mistaken, given how little Choshen Mishpat I've learned. Here's a similar situation: Suppose a grocery store's supplier offers a greatly reduced price on a certain product. Is the grocery OBLIGATED to put that product on sale so as not to violate issurim on overcharging? And if that is so, then must they be sure that these particular boxes have all been sold, prior to going back to the regular price?

Akiva Miller

____________________________________________________________
SHOCKING: 2010 Honda Civic for $1,732.09
BREAKING NEWS: High ticket items are being auctioned for an incredible 90% off!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/4cc47a504b3c13eef9dst06vuc