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It seems that all the apocalyptic predictions of the economic crisis triggering societal breakdown and moral dissolution are coming true! Customers of New York boutiques—we're talking about upstanding, mid-tier designer label-wearing citizens, not hardened criminals or warped celebuspawn—are abandoning their scruples and straight-up lying in order to snag bargains. At the Shoe Box, for example, people have come in saying that Bloomingdales has Uggs on sale when it doesn't (not that we'd expect any better from those still voluntarily wearing Uggs, frankly), or brazenly pretended that Saks has a $535 boot for $150.

As smaller retailers suffer as a result of department stores' dramatic price slashing, unprincipled shoppers are only to willing to exploit the situation. "If we have to meet a price a department store is offering," says The Shoe Box's V.P., "we'll meet the price." Before you get any ideas, though, they do call up the other store to check. Yes, the hallowed bond of trust between salesperson and rabid consumer is being eroded before our eyes, and it's clearly a slippery slope from here. Soon we'll be questioning the verity of politicians' proclamations, or wondering if US Weekly's cover is bending the truth about Jennifer Aniston's baby plans.

Bargain-Crazed Shoppers Lie and Haggle for Cheaper Bags, Uggs [Bloomberg]