omg, what a funny game. Managed to get around 900 my first time playing. Loved all the quirky characters, though I'm pretty sure that I scammed that mother pretty badly. Wish I could have given her some of the money it sold for.
and, to be fair, you didn't really know if she was telling the truth in the first place. after all, lots of people try to scam you in the game, so... don't feel bad!
also, 900 is pretty good for a first run! you are very good at haggling. my cousin (who acted as a tester) lost his first run! tho, to be fair, the game was a bit unbalanced at that point.