They try to sell it because they believe it themselves. This is almost worse than them lying, insofar as incompetence can be more damaging than selfishness: yo

They try to sell it because they believe it themselves. This is almost worse than them lying, insofar as incompetence can be more damaging than selfishness: you can negotiate with a selfish person to get something for giving them what they want. You can't get anything out of someone who can't deliver.