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

  • gentlecrack on 20/12/2017 - 02:21
    +2

    I returned ALDI trolley key chain because it broke. The guy at the counter picked up another one and offered as a replacement. But I insisted he gives a refund because the quality was not one would expect from ALDI. So I had to hold up a big queue for the return process.

  • WaywardOne on 20/12/2017 - 04:17

    I exchanged oats for quick oats at Coles. They were only about $0.87

  • Snatcher on 20/12/2017 - 05:57

    I wouldn't be proud of this but apparently someone is.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 08:06
    +1

    After reading this ,
    I would like the 15 minutes of my life back

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 08:15
      +1

      Sorry but I have a no refund policy.

      Thank you, come again.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 20/12/2017 - 08:36
    +1

    If it is under $5-10 i honestly wouldn't bother - but for a laugh why not?

  • JimmyF on 20/12/2017 - 09:45
    +1

    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.

    So you ripped the handle off on purpose just to get your 15c refund!?

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 09:53
      +1

      Yes, how many times do I need to confirm this?

      • JimmyF on 20/12/2017 - 13:00
        +3

        low as they come then

  • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 09:48
    +2

    you put us Indian people to shame we bow down to you

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 09:52
      -1

      Thank you, I'm flattered.

      Any chance of a 7-Eleven discount?

      • ozzyoi on 20/12/2017 - 10:51
        +3

        Thats so racist

  • Japius on 20/12/2017 - 10:47

    I returned one of the target bags because it tore after I left the store. They weret quite sure if I was serious when I walked up and wanted a refund. I explained that their policy of charging me for a plastic bag to carry the multiple items I just purchased from them was stupid and since the product (the bag) couldnt even make it to the car I wanted my money back…They offered an exchange but I declined and waited while they refunded me back onto my card

    I am sure they rolled their eyes and made fun of me afterwards but honestly if they want to "make a difference" start with their own suppliers and demand less plastic waste and packaging there before targeting the bags that actually help the customer

    But I wasnt holding up any other people as I was the only one at the customer service desk…Aldi would be an extra effort altogether well done

    • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 11:11

      Good move.

  • ozzyoi on 20/12/2017 - 10:50
    +1

    This is really cheap of u, if u broke the handle on purpose to get the 15c back

  • freakatronic on 20/12/2017 - 12:27
    +2

    Your time must be worthless. Even in a scumbag job you'd make 15c per second.

    • freakatronic on 20/12/2017 - 12:29

      Per minute, per minute.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 12:42

        As sad as it is, this depends on age.

        In Australia you can be paid as low as $7.08/hr at 15, which is just under 12 cents a minute.

  • 50cent on 20/12/2017 - 12:27
    +3

    I once called the bank to get 3 cents of interest charges revered !!!

    • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 12:40
      +1

      Overtime doing this will eventually add up to 50cent though.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 12:39
    +1

    I can't blame you for this. Legally once it becomes a sold product (ie you're paying $0.15) consumer law applies, no matter the product.

    Not only are you entitled to a refund, you're entitled to a replacement or repair of any products damaged if/when a bag breaks.

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:44

      I think I should also be entitled to compensation.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 12:48

        You're entitled to some form of compensation, but as mentioned this may be a replacement or repair of any damaged products rather than monetary compensation. It's up to the merchant to choose which form of compensation is best.

        For example, if a can of drink falls on the ground due to a bag breaking you're entitled to a replacement can or monetary value of the drink, the store is free to choose which.

        If the can explodes after falling and sprays all over your car, you may be entitled to compensation of car wash fees.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 12:56
          +1

          Do you think you can come with me to ALDI next time I do this?

        • [Deactivated] on 20/12/2017 - 14:41
          +1

          @Scab:

          My OzBargain rate is 20 Eneloops an hour.

    • p3nf0ld on 20/12/2017 - 15:42
      +1

      I don't think that counts if you deliberately break a product ( OP tore handle off deliberately )

  • keithality on 20/12/2017 - 13:23
    +4

    Glad to see I'm not the only one. I have:
    - disputed and got refunded a mystery credit card charge of $1.00 from amex
    - asked for interest charges of a few dollars to be refunded from my bank
    - received a refund from Woolies for a broken egg in a pack of a dozen
    - received a refund from Woolies for a half eaten bar of their homebrand chocolate as it was disgusting and no way was I '100% satisfied'

    There are probably many other similar situations that I've forgotten.

    I'm currently debating whether it's worth my while to head to Coles after work to ask for the oranges I bought to be charged at the sale price of $3.50/kg as stated rather than the $3.99/kg I was actually charged after checking the receipt. This post has inspired me that it's definitely worth it.

    • Ughhh on 20/12/2017 - 13:33
      +1

      Glad to see I'm not the only one. I have:

      You should re-read the op before putting yourself in the same lowlife category as the op.

      Did you deliberately break the egg to get a refund? Did you eat the bar then returned it for a refund, not because you didn't like it, but just wanted something free to chew on for a few secs?

      All the examples you listed, you were entitled to the refund.

      • keithality on 20/12/2017 - 15:18

        Lol none of them were deliberate, all pretty legitimate

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 15:42
          +1

          We should hang out and be shopping buddies.

  • jez22333 on 20/12/2017 - 14:34

    I used to work at the refunds counter at Target and someone once returned a $1 Mars Bar (they had the receipt too)

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 15:00

      Was that you?

  • PJC on 20/12/2017 - 14:50
    +1

    Years ago I bought the KMart equivalent of a pack of Bounty mini-bars. After eating my third I was convinced they tasted a bit metallic, so I returned and they refunded me very speedily - less than 4 seconds.

  • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 15:03
    +1

    This thread has proven to be so therapeutic, people are finally confessing their refund sins.

    Bless you all from Father Scab.

  • Zylam Marex on 20/12/2017 - 15:40
    +3

    What so you damaged it on purpose and took it back for a refund? If so then I don't care how much it costs, that's just plain stealing. Good job, you sound real proud of yourself. When did ozbargain become a community where people celebrated stealing.

    I can understand people following the principles, they have every right to but getting cents refunded is just sad, even for ozbargain levels.

    • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 15:43
      -3

      stealing.

      How exactly is it stealing?

      • Zylam Marex on 20/12/2017 - 15:48
        +4

        They sold you a fully functioning product, which you used for its intended purpose and then intentionally damaged to get a refund. You don't see how you stole the function that product provided you?

        Or the fact that you damaged it on purpose to get a refund?

        Incredible if someone has to explain this to you. If I had owned a store, I'd ban customers like you. People like you abuse systems put in place for people who actually benefit from them legitimately.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 15:53
          -2

          intentionally damaged to get a refund.

          That's not stealing.

          If I had owned a store, I'd ban customers like you.

          I wouldn't buy anything from you if you did own a store.

          Not after you've just falsely accused me of stealing.

        • Zylam Marex on 20/12/2017 - 15:56

          @Scab:

          LOL defend your actions then. Explain how it's not stealing buddy. Deflecting eh. Admitting to damaging something on purpose to get a refund.. yea sure buddy I'm the one in the wrong. You are an upstanding member of society.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 16:02

          @Zylam Marex:

          Explain how it's not stealing

          Stealing means

          take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

          I didn't take it without their permission as I paid for it.

          And I also intended to return it and did so.

          You are an upstanding member of society.

          Still not going to shop in your store.

        • Zylam Marex on 20/12/2017 - 16:05

          @Scab:

          LMAO, whatever makes you feel better buddy, this whole thread is just for you to feel better about stealing and being ultra cheap. Go ahead man, keep buying products and breaking them on purpose once you've used them for your needs and get a refund. There's absolutely nothing wrong or stealing about that. Good job.

        • Scab on 20/12/2017 - 16:10

          @Zylam Marex:

          Thank you for your support and understanding.

  • LlamaFarmer on 20/12/2017 - 15:47
    +1

    I have asked for a 15cent refund on a plastic shopping bag because I didn't even ask for one in the first place.

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 20/12/2017 - 16:58

    This thread has run its course and comments are now closed.

    Whilst saving money is why we're all here, OzBargain would like to remind everyone that any act of fraud or theft is not okay and never a bargain.

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