Ashleigh is the purchasing specialist for a large downtown medical practice. The doctors in the practice recently acquired some office space north of town to turn into a branch office. Ashleigh is now responsible for equipping the new office space with furniture, equipment, and supplies. One of the costlier items that she needs to purchase is a copier. According to the practice’s purchasing policies, Ashleigh should conduct competitive bidding for the copier. Ashleigh doesn’t really want to do that, though. She’d rather purchase the copier from a friend who works for an office supply company. This friend has promised her a great deal on the copier. Ashleigh would save herself time, trouble, and money if she purchased from her friend, and her friend would earn a hefty commission for the sale. What should Ashleigh do? Bend the rules and buy from her friend, or go through with the competitive bidding process? Why?