Ethical Dilemma after Refunded Incorrect Amount

Lchet on 22/04/2020 - 11:14

So, and this is a hypothetical of course.

Let's say I purchased something with a coupon code. Was worth about $350 but it brought the price down to around $100. The product is faulty, so I return it and purchase something else. When processing the refund and purchasing the other item, the cashier sees the attached price tag (the original price) and despite the discount appearing on the receipt, which I brought, they refund the $350 instead of the $100.

If you don't notice it at the time, but after you've left the store and go home, do you go back and correct the mistake? Yes/no and why?

Poll Options expired

  • 70
    Yes, return it and let them know of the error
  • 31
    No, leave it be as they made a mistake
General Discussion

Comments

  • tsunamisurfer on 22/04/2020 - 11:16
    +6

    I would have noticed straight away as I would normally be in a heightened state of alert during refunds.

    I would smile, thank the cashier, walk out and sleep well that night.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:19

      Why should one be disadvantaged for being aware? Always reserve the right to play dumb.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:34
        +1

        Also, there are only two options in the poll. Where's the one for posting it as a deal on OzBargain?

  • mujitee on 22/04/2020 - 11:17
    +1

    Depends on the amount for me, if it was a few dollars difference I wouldn't bother but in your example where it's $250 more, I would probably go back if I can and correct it.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:22
      +2

      I'd like to see a study on what people self report on the internet versus what they actually do.

  • skid on 22/04/2020 - 11:20
    +5

    Hypothetically, was it a single-use coupon code like a e-gift card? If so, they've converted the coupon code to cash for you and there's nothing much wrong with that.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:24
      +2

      Please wait whilst OP asks their friend.

  • FireRunner on 22/04/2020 - 11:21
    +3

    Return to the store and explain.
    You shouldn't have the full amount so it's only just to amend the situation, even if it's their mistake.

  • kanmen on 22/04/2020 - 11:24
    +4

    If you wouldn't want someone doing that to you, you should go back and rectify.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:27

      If it happened to me I'd hold the cashier accountable.

      I'd then find that they were protected from the consequences of their incompetence by progressive IR laws, sell the business and invest offshore.

  • Slinky0111 on 22/04/2020 - 11:27
    +6

    Received an email from beefy's pies for buy 2 get 1 free.

    Head down for lunch and when ordering at the drive through I tell the staff member I have a voucher for buy two get 2 free, and he tries telling me it's buy 2 and get two free! Who am I to argue? So I ask for 3 hot pies and one cold. I get home (1km) and find out he gave me 4 hot pies and one cold! Didn't loose any sleep over it.

    • modsec802 on 22/04/2020 - 22:52
      +4

      You didn’t lose the extra o either

  • drose1 on 22/04/2020 - 11:39
    +24

    Depends on the organisation.

    small business? Yep, for sure.

    a large organisation? probably not.

    • Numpty21 on 22/04/2020 - 11:56

      +1

    • brendanm on 22/04/2020 - 13:39
      +6

      Harvey Norman? Absolutely not

      • Scrooge McDuck on 23/04/2020 - 02:29

        and mandatory to share as a deal on OzBargain.

  • Archi on 22/04/2020 - 11:42

    in this case probably yes, I would return the money but I have done a lot worse.

  • iampoor on 22/04/2020 - 11:59
    +2

    Like you said, it's an ethical dilemma.

    What are your ethics/morals? If honesty is in there then you know what you should do.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2020 - 12:43
      +1

      Exactly this.

      If your principles are pliable to your convenience, or it is arbitrarily defined by a sliding scale of "business size" then don't bother considering the moral implications. That's like a fat person reading the nutritional contents of a large quarter pounder meal after ordering said meal.

      • Archi on 22/04/2020 - 12:54

        And deciding a medium size is acceptable and a large size isn't

        • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2020 - 13:43
          +1

          Medium is never acceptable. Go hard or go home and have a salad.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2020 - 12:12
    +1

    If Gerry Harvey is involved, yeah, nah.

    I did once pocket an error that had been falsely certified to ISO9001.

  • EightImmortals on 22/04/2020 - 13:23

    That happened to me once, I pointed out the discrepancy at the time and the CSR told me not to worry about it. At least I tried. :)

  • Diggins on 22/04/2020 - 13:25

    something similar happened to me once when i didnt have the receipt. the operator said you get back what ever it scans at even though i told them how much i paid for it which was less. i got more money back than what i paid.

    in this scenario, I wouldnt go back if i went home. if i was at the register i would say something

  • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2020 - 13:26

    Beware of karma…she's a bish!

    I ordered a KFC Chipster wrap,9 wicked wings and the free chips and drink the other day. Got home and lo and behold! There were 2 wraps and 10 wicked wings in the paper bag! I happily chomped away with barely a niggle of guilt.

    Today this deal was posted and I didn't get the offer. AS if that's not bad enough, I've also realised that I've misplaced my receipt and won't get the free chips and drink from the survey with my next order 😥

  • loke on 22/04/2020 - 13:50
    +1

    Grays online did this for me when I had 1 out of 2 faulty lenovo miix 700s

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/359959

    and it's almost like you are talking about a not-so-hypothetical Big W Sony speaker?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/531346

    edit: or the not-so-hypothetical ath-ckr7tw ?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/audio-technica-ath-ckr7…

  • Dat Fish on 22/04/2020 - 14:27

    In that scenario, I would tell them since it's such a big difference, but if it takes like over 1 hour to drive back, then I would just call them up.

    However, say if it was $300 where you got $10 off, then I wouldn't bother, basically if the sale you got was less than $10 off and less than 5% off, then I wouldn't bother with it at all, if I don't see the mistake straight away.

  • leiiv on 22/04/2020 - 14:50

    You purchased another item and you did not use another coupon code for that one did you?
    If that is the case then there was no double dipping and there is no dilemma. It is as if you use transfer the use of the coupon from your previous purchase to the new one.

  • Snake 4 on 23/04/2020 - 15:44

    I have worked for myself most of my life. Most of wy jobs were one of.

    Three companies I had done work for, one small, one medium and one huge took forever to pay. Threatening them with legal action they finally paid.

    Eventually they all paid me again. We aren't talking small bickies here.

    Yes I kept the lot. Not one company has ever contacted me and yes it is at least 25 ago So much for their accounting systems.

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