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The absurd thing is .. Qui Gon is willing to "mind trick" him into selling the parts for some practically worthless credits ... (which is fraud btw) .. but pulling a lightsaber and threatening nooo.. that would be bad.
Qui Gon wasn`t your typical Jedi, that was the whole point of his character. He bent and broke the rules and did what he felt was necessary to get the job done.
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Also.. why not mindtrick ANYBODY ELSE on that planet into exchanging them republican credits for money. Jedi prove themselves the biggest idiots in the galaxy once again.
After they left Wattos shop Qui Gon wandered around to mull over his options (which included God knows what) Then they met Anakin again which totally changed everything because from then on Qui Gon was hell bent on freeing him.