Suppose that ted and lamont are involved in a dispute over a sales contract involving shoes. if ted takes the matter to court and argues that lamont should be subject to special business standards because lamont is a merchant, the court hearing the case may determine whether lamont is a merchant by assessing whether lamont

The court hearing the case may determine whether Lamont is a merchant by assessing whether Lamont:
1. Employed in the deal with Ted others who have the status of a merchants.
2. Is a person who deals in shoes.
3. Is a person who by occupation hold himself out as having knowledge or skills unique to the shoes involved in the transaction.
Before Lamont can be subjected to special business standard in court, it must be confirmed whether he is truly a business man as he claimed and the steps above are the ones that will be looked into to confirm his status as a business man.

As a costumer i would say c.hope it !