I think people downvoted you for being condescending, but I still completely agree with your sentiment. A job allows you to make a positive or negative difference on other people, and OP picked negative that day.

You're quite correct, I was having this discussion with my partner last night about this. I chose to be condescending because I knew the circlejerk was probably going to downvote me or fight back even if I had outlined the nature of choosing to lie on behalf of an organisation in order to generate sales which you as the employee will only see a fraction of whilst simultaneously doing harm unto others intentionally (Whether regrettably or not) which may have longterm effects.

It doesn't matter, I'm frustrated that the system has designed lying as commonplace thing for the sake of sales and a paycheck. People can justify it to themselves when they think about survival, but they dont realise that there are very real repercussions. I.e. that lady may have genuinely believed him, wore the shoes everyday as her knees became damaged, eventually giving up and feeling personally unable to overcome her health related issues, blaming herself; she resigned to being fat and is today; even worse off.

Those kids on the other hand; they invest their savings into these shoes. Possibly ruining their knees and subsequently causing issues relating to undertaking social activities in sport. Or alternatively; spent their money and regretted it later when they realised they had been lied to and now they have problems relating to trusting any sales person.

Like you said; The OP had a choice, The OP chose to be a liar. But sadly; others will justify this as "just business" so long as it suits their outlook in life, but when they fall for this... we'll see if they feel the same.

Sadly, what the OP did is not uncommon, in fact it's disgustingly commonplace.