What's The Cheapest Item You've Ever Taken Back for a Refund?

Scab on 18/12/2017 - 10:15
Last edited 20/12/2017 - 16:59 by 1 other user

I was at ALDI on Saturday and forgot to take a shopping bag so I bought one of their plastic ones for 15 cents.

Went to the car and unpacked everything, then ripped the handle off and took it back with the receipt for a refund of $0.15.

The dumbfounded look on the cashier's face was hilarious, I could tell I was her first for this.

Had heaps of people who were waiting in line behind me that gave me a funny look, was really embarrassed but I stayed strong by chanting Ozbargain a number of times to myself.

So what was the cheapest thing you've ever taken back, and please vote below?

Mod: This thread has run its course and comments are now closed.
Whilst saving money is while we are all here, OzBargain would like to remind everyone that any act of fraud or theft is not okay and never a bargain.

Poll Options

  • 379
    You make Scotty proud, he should adopt you and change your name to Scabby.
  • 22
    You should be promoted to Power User.
  • 175
    You're such a Scab.
  • 38
    It's people like you who make supermarket prices higher.
  • 90
    You should have reused the bag and helped to save the planet.
  • 4
    I've taken back used supermarket bags and exchanged them for new ones.
General Discussion

closed Comments

      • diazepam on 20/12/2017 - 12:08
        +1

        I would have told you to (profanity) off: "I spent the change already, what's your problem? Do you have something stuck up your arse?"

      • dealman on 20/12/2017 - 12:25
        +1

        Wouldn't work in real life

  • horsome on 18/12/2017 - 20:55
    +2

    There’s an Ozbargain chant?

  • doweyy on 18/12/2017 - 22:12
    +1

    You’re my hero, scab.

    • PleasureMe on 19/12/2017 - 22:37
      +11

      you need better heroes

      • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 05:52
        +1

        We don't need another hero.

  • lainey13 on 18/12/2017 - 22:40
    +1

    An empty trolley, for the $1 coin in it. But you still win :)

    • SlickMick on 19/12/2017 - 09:49

      Unless you snatched that trolley from an old lady

      • lainey13 on 19/12/2017 - 10:26

        I pushed it about 1km back to the shops…

        • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 12:13
          +2

          I would have pushed you back in the trolley, Lainey.

  • Birchy on 19/12/2017 - 12:05

    Yep, that's pushing it.

  • mickotron on 19/12/2017 - 12:10
    +2

    Is your 15c worth 3 minutes of everyone else jn the queue's time?
    Particularly since you broke the bag on purpose.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 12:13
      -2

      Is your 15c worth 3 minutes of everyone else jn the queue's time?

      Yes, and they're lucky I paid in cash and not card otherwise it would have taken longer.

  • tempura on 19/12/2017 - 12:38
    +1

    Am sure @Scab didn't do it on purpose? or did you?

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 12:45
      -1

      Yes, took a bit of doing too as the bags are pretty durable.

      German engineering.

      • Slippery Fish on 20/12/2017 - 12:38
        +1

        That's truely scumbaggy mate, do you have no pride?

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:41
          +1

          None whatsoever.

        • Slippery Fish on 20/12/2017 - 12:42

          @Scab: :/ set up a go fund me, I'll donate you 15 cents if your in that much trouble money wise…

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:46

          @Slippery Fish:

          If you really cared you'd offer more than that.

        • Slippery Fish on 20/12/2017 - 12:46

          @Scab: I'm not the hero you want, I'm the hero you need.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:54

          @Slippery Fish:

          I don't need another hero,

          I just need to know the way home.

        • Slippery Fish on 20/12/2017 - 13:07

          @Scab: I wrote you a poem.

          Home is where the heart is and the heart is under the sea, where Davey Jones will snack on your bones and that's alright with me.

          Enjoy

  • Homr on 19/12/2017 - 12:52

    Nothing ozbargain about it, infact you probably lost money due to the time being wasted getting that 15c refund back.

    Nice DP btw Scab!

  • ntt on 19/12/2017 - 12:58
    +7

    I really don't understand how people can enjoy/so pround doing this. There are plenty of young people also migrants/new people in this forum, and you make them think this should be normal from now on. This thread should be closed. -ve vote as many as you can, I don't care.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 13:29
      -6

      Triggered.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2017 - 14:44

        Can't believe people are getting triggered at a guy refunding a plastic bag.. I mean isn't this Ozbargain?

        • dlakers3peat on 19/12/2017 - 15:30
          +4

          Yep is ozbargain but not scab bargain.

        • jason101 on 20/12/2017 - 12:43
          +1

          I think the issue is more that scab intentionally broke the bag in order to claim a refund which is morally debatable and an unfair cost to the business and eventually consumers. Not withstanding the fact he held up several people through his mischievous activities and then seems proud of his behaviours.

    • PleasureMe on 19/12/2017 - 22:39
      +6

      i agree. delete this thread. This is OzBargain, not OzDouches.

      • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 08:22

        OzDouches

        That would make a great name for a French bargain site for Australian expatriates.

  • Starlight8 on 19/12/2017 - 13:02
    -1

    HAHAHAH i love this!!!

    I like to look at time vs money if its worth the effort of refunding and staying in line :)

  • dlakers3peat on 19/12/2017 - 13:19
    +11

    I feel sorry for you that you went to all that effort for a lousy 15c. Sorry in that you are a that pathetic.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 13:30
      +1

      Oh this is nothing, I can be a lot more pathetic.

      • magic8ballgag on 19/12/2017 - 18:34
        +3

        Like kissing other well-known member's arses on OzBargain constantly?

    • dealman on 20/12/2017 - 12:31

      Can we lower.. Pathetic isn't the right word.

  • potm on 19/12/2017 - 13:19
    +17

    Not only was it not worth the 15c, what you did was morally wrong as well by purposely destroying the bag and getting a refund for it.
    That is definitely not in the spirit of Ozbargain.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 13:27
      -4

      Do you think I'll still go to Ozbargain heaven?

  • benderz on 19/12/2017 - 13:31
    +8

    I purchased sunscreen at Coles recently and it got discounted the following day. I returned it and bought the discounted one saving me $4!

    • PJC on 19/12/2017 - 14:00
      +2

      Good move.

  • HeWhoKnows on 19/12/2017 - 13:57
    +1

    $1 items on ebay

  • outlander on 19/12/2017 - 14:09
    +6

    It sounds like what you really returned was your dignity

    ..JKs it sounds like you got rid of that yonks ago

    • inherentchoice on 19/12/2017 - 17:43

      There's still a scab growing on the wound it caused.

  • ih8un on 19/12/2017 - 14:18
    +3

    My most embarrassing return on "principle" was for a Everyday Rewards promo for 3 FREE sample Macro snack packs
    that go for $1 each. By the time I got to paying at the self serve checkout I could't find my Rewards card needed to activate the deal,
    and there was a lot of people waiting in line so I decided to pay for them and just leave. By the time I got to the car, buyers remorse kicked in and I convinced myself that I needed to return the 3 packs of $1 packs for a full refund. Wasn't a simple refund and took way more staff then necessary to process it which left me red faced. Sure, I am to blame, but I had only added them to my basket because they were "FREE" *conditions apply

    • Savas on 19/12/2017 - 19:25
      +2

      You should have asked for assistance so they could remove the items, it's not your fault other people were in the line.

  • Hunter14 on 19/12/2017 - 15:36
    +1

    Obviously a troll. I really hope you didn't actually rip off the handles and returned it.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 15:53
      +1

      No, I ripped just one handle, two would have looked suspicious.

  • Lockieasy on 19/12/2017 - 15:51
    +7

    People like the OP are why we can't have nice things.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 15:52
      +3

      Wish I'd put that as a poll option.

  • Bangersnmash on 19/12/2017 - 15:55

    Well 15c times 100 a year adds up right?

  • ruddiger7 on 19/12/2017 - 16:13
    +1

    I served someone in my old job who caught the bus to the shopping centre I worked at to return something that was 50 cents… and that was the sole purpose of his visit.

  • Euphemistic on 19/12/2017 - 16:29
    +1

    It's a pity that Aldi didn't insist that you take a replacement bag and not get a refund.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 16:41
      +2

      60 day refund policy.

  • movieman on 19/12/2017 - 17:02
    +4

    Stupid.

    Intentionally destroying the bag, to get a refund.

    .

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 17:22
      -3

      It's terrible, the things people do these days.

      If you could see me now I'd be shaking my head in disgust. 🙁

  • PAOK11 on 19/12/2017 - 18:03

    Dear reveller and thy faithful.
    By the mighty hand of Ozbargain, the spirit of Ozbargain Compels you

    You will rise again my friend & save more money than those before you.

    Let the spirit of ozbargain guide you

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 18:40
      +3

      For thy is the bargain,

      The power and the glory,

      Forever and ever, Ozbargain.

      • PAOK11 on 19/12/2017 - 19:48

        Cue thy chanting

  • dsp26 on 19/12/2017 - 18:09

    Hhmmmm…. I buy the cheapest thing at Coles/Woolworths and take a bunch of plastic bags at self checkout then do my full shop at ALDI.. then repurpose the plastic bags at home for the nappy bin

  • MorriJ on 19/12/2017 - 18:36

    As in within the last week? $USD 0.84 x 4 transactions for this: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/346075

    Paypal counterfeit claim (kinda knew they were before they shipped, but had to wait for delivery).

    They were same paypal account, so easy to find.

    Took 3min of my time; probably have an automated system check in paypal for word counterfeit as it was refunded within 5min or so.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 18:42
      +1

      Are you saying I should have paid for the plastic bag with PayPal?

      • MorriJ on 19/12/2017 - 19:06
        +2

        If they offered it, yep.

        I like taking local retailers for a ride.

        My trick is if I want something now and I dont want to wait for the cheapest bargain, buy it anywhere with a change of mind policy refund. Once said item arrives from ebay / discount warehouse / overseas / my aunty who can buy it cheaper; take new said product to store for refund and keep using my new toy.

        It also works as the local price-match for 30 days after buying said item, if cheaper in same store - too easy. Just take receipt back, buy said item cheaper, walk out of store, walk back in with said item and old receipt and refund it.

        Anything to save $0.15 right?

        • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 19:26
          +1

          I recently built some lattice framing for my front porch.

          Needed a mitre saw and a few other tools so I went to Bunnings and bought the best stuff.

          Once I finished I took them back for a refund and told them they were faulty.

          Lowest prices were just the beginning.

          (patiently waits for the neggers and morality warriors)

        • PJC on 19/12/2017 - 22:22
          +4

          @Scab: You convinced them all the tools were faulty? Have a plus-vote.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 05:59
          +2

          @PJC:

          Took them in one at a time.

          Picked up a sausage sandwich on the way out so it was an enjoyable day.

        • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 06:07
          +2

          @Scab: At least that's one area of Bunnings where you won't get banned.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 06:14
          +3

          @PJC:

          Next time I'm going to eat most of the sandwich then put a hair in it and take it back for a refund.

        • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 06:25
          +2

          @Scab: I suppose you'll first ensure the charity they support is an excellent project.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 06:30
          +3

          @PJC:

          Of course, what sort of person do you think I am?

        • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 06:30
          +3

          @Scab: Consistent. Impervious to shame.

        • EmCKay on 20/12/2017 - 12:56

          @Scab: I absolutely hate this.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:57

          @fiza1981:

          Hate what?

        • EmCKay on 20/12/2017 - 16:36

          @Scab: People returning items as faulty when they aren’t. Bunnings are treated as a hire service.

  • darkmattersunB6c0MV on 19/12/2017 - 19:01
    +8

    I am saddened by the apparent pleasure the OP is taking in these discussions. I could not understand at first what he did to get a return, because my brain refused to comprehend why anyone would do something like that. Either this is a psychotic episode and a figment of your imagination, or you are mentally ill.
    Either way, you need to see a doctor.

    I am not angry, just pity your condition. Hope you get well. All the best.

    • MorriJ on 19/12/2017 - 19:09

      It's at least on topic right?

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 19:20
      -2

      Thank you, Dr Phil.

      BTW, love your show, huge fan.

    • Wystri Warrick on 20/12/2017 - 00:10

      Either this is a psychotic episode and a figment of your imagination,

      Don't say psychotic, I've just finished watching Mr Brooks :(

  • EmCKay on 19/12/2017 - 19:32

    I had a customer recently who returned 2x M6 galvanised washers for a total of 24 cents. I asked him if he wanted to exchange them for a different size and he told me ‘no, I just don’t need them after all.’ I refunded his 25 cents (rounded up of course).

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 19:35

      I've done that at Bunnings, took back a couple of galvanised washers, although I was also buying some other things.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2017 - 19:41
    +3

    15c for 5 minutes, Therefore 15cx12= $1.80 per hour. If your per hour rate is worth that much then it is logical to do it. Not considering your self-respect.

    • Scab on 19/12/2017 - 20:12
      +2

      I don't have any self respect, so no loss there.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2017 - 22:03

        You're much better off opening Uber up after doing your groceries and giving someone a ride if you were going to spend 5 minutes for 15 cents.

  • Shepard on 19/12/2017 - 21:14
    +1

    iive asked the bank to refund 9 cents of overdrawn fees before

  • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2017 - 22:03

    A penny saved is ten pennies unearned

  • gimli on 19/12/2017 - 22:12
    +1

    Rip scab

  • picklewizard on 19/12/2017 - 22:31

    Wait, did you deliberately rip it?

    And then hold up a bunch of people in the queue?

    • rover100 on 20/12/2017 - 10:07

      That is exactly what he did the scum

  • vivasawadee on 19/12/2017 - 22:34
    +1

    This is a very disturbing post.

    It may only be 15 cents and probably done for shits and giggles but the mind set of someone to do it is hard to fathom.

    I am a firm believer in karma and I'm pretty sure the OP will get their just desserts one day.

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 06:01
      +1

      The desserts better be just or I'm getting a refund.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2017 - 08:39
      +1

      There is no such thing as Karma or else that guy that stole Maccers off those two brothers never would of lived such a long and good life.

      • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 08:58

        He might reincarnate as a toilet brush.

  • claire on 19/12/2017 - 23:23

    In a previous job, I worked for an organisation that sold subscriptions that could be paid monthly by credit card or fortnightly by direct debit from a bank account. A customer requested to change from fortnightly to monthly payments, and I set them up to start on the first of the month, but their next fortnightly debit wouldn't have been until the 3rd of the month. They wrote a cranky email and my boss approved to refund them $2.16, pro rata of the 2 days they double paid.

    • auna on 20/12/2017 - 00:33

      That’s understandable and should of been done automatically, really.

  • sintro on 20/12/2017 - 00:16

    Why rip the handle off?

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 06:02
      -1

      For 15 cents.

      • sintro on 20/12/2017 - 08:44

        I mean can't u refund it without ripping the handles off…?

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 08:46

          I needed a reason, and it was just the one handle.

        • tight-a55 on 20/12/2017 - 10:00
          +1

          @Scab: ah no you didn't. you could have just said you changed your mind and you will carry it without the bag:
          Change of mind

          At ALDI it's okay to change your mind. Your satisfaction is important to us.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 10:03
          -1

          @tight-a55:

          you could have just said you changed your mind

          But I didn't change my mind, I'm not going to lie.

        • tight-a55 on 20/12/2017 - 10:44

          @Scab: fair enough, guess i'll keep an eye out at salamander shops and chuckle to myself if i see someone returning "broken" bags with a big red hand print on their cheek…

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