I agree that if you think about it in detail, the con isn't a typical con in the classic sense. Harold Hill has charged the townspeople for band instruments and band uniforms, which he has provided them. He's put out money for the instruments and uniforms. He would probably make more money taking their money and never providing instruments. The show tries to address this, but the cost of instruments is probably greater than the profit margin on instruments plus uniforms, so his sticking around to get the uniform money doesn't really add up. And he has no reason to stick around and provide actual uniforms.
He isn't providing lessons, but he's not charging them for lessons, either. It's true that without lessons, the instruments are useless, though. |
