public boolean equals(Object obj) {  
		Merchants merchant = (Merchants) obj;
		if (this.merId != merchant.merId){
			return false;
		}
		if (!this.merName.equals(merchant.getMerName())){
			return false;
		}
		if (this.locationLong != merchant.getLocationLong()){
			return false;
		}
		if (this.locationLat != merchant.getLocationLat()){
			return false;
		}

		return true;
	}