To not tell them their mistake

[glitterglitters]

Question of ethics here

Basically I bought some maternity clothes online from a very well known retailer beginning with T.

Goods have arrived and are perfect.

Money had been allocated from my account for the transaction and appeared under "pending".

This has now vanished, nothing on my statement and cash hasn't come out.

Spoke to my bank who said that it's most unusual but it has indeed vanished, as if the retailer has cancelled the transaction. They said that as I have "Completed" emails I'm not in the wrong, haven't stolen anything but it's up to me if I contact the company or not.


The phone advisor basically hinted (though didn't say directly) that I'd got lucky and he's never seen it happen.

Should I contact the company and let them know the error or should I just play dumb and enjoy the clothes knowing that the owner of the company isn't innocent in such matters and they have more than enough cash.

[leighb23]

Oof, play dumb every time!! We thought (wrongly!) That the company we'd used for lo's birthday party hadn't taken the money (£289!) Cue lots of dancing around and congratulating ourselves, until at least a month after when it came out of the bank lol.
Not as though you've shoplifter goods - you weren't aware the money hadn't gone, were you

[ScarlettFreestone]

You should contact them and pay for the clothes.

It's the right thing to do.

[Floggingmolly]

It can't have "disappeared". The bank has to be able to see the transaction that cancelled the pending payment; no outsider can access your bank account and make changes to it...
I'd be concerned that your bank are unable to explain what happened.

[leighb23]

Obviously autocorrect knows I wanted shoplifter not shoplifted... grr

[MollyHuaCha]

Ethically, it's right to pay for goods you've had.

[Chloe84]

should I just play dumb and enjoy the clothes knowing that the owner of the company isn't innocent in such matters and they have more than enough cash.

That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard. Find your morality and tell Tesco they haven't charged you. Make no mistake, it's thievery.

[Footle]

Tell them. You'll feel a glow of righteousness, and there's a chance they'll think you're so righteous that you needn't pay anyway.

[WaitrosePigeon]

I'd leave it, enjoy the clothes

[minisoksmakehardwork]

The payment could still go out. So I would leave it a reasonable amount of time - I think they can claim payments several weeks later - and if nothing goes out by then, if I remember I would contact the company.

[pipsqueak25]

everyone with half a brain cell knows this is tesco ! you should -pay- query this with tesco of course, but, don't be surprised if the money doesn't leave your account at a later date. be careful about this, just saying.

[FatCatFaces]

They'll most likely still charge you. I can't remember who it was with but I've had this happen twice. The transaction disappeared then the money was taken the following day. Don't spend it yet! I think it's just the way some retailers handle their transactions.

Lucky you if they don't take it though!

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

I agree with those who are saying you should contact them and pay, because otherwise you are deliberately keeping goods you haven't paid for - which is unethical, at best, and dishonest, at worst.

On threads like this, people who advocate honesty are usually flamed.

[glitterglitters]

It went out via PayPal (so no, not Tesco lol) and that has come up as well as the money has been withdrawn and sent. I've got emails saying thank you for your payment etc and it clearly states "completed".

I've not stolen anything and tbh I wouldn't have even noticed otherwise but I'm keeping an eagle eye on my accounts at the moment with maternity etc.

The bank said that it looks like the payment has been cancelled not that it has vanished. He said it was most likely a glitch with either the retailer or PayPal.


It's just odd. And I don't mind paying. I've got the goods and in a flashback to the 90s I'd walk around in the shoes with them going "Not mine. Not mine. Not mine" a la Phoebe in friends. 😂

[MargaretCavendish]

everyone with half a brain cell knows this is tesco!

I assumed it was Topshop because I thought the reference to the owner who 'isn't innocent in such matters and [has] more than enough cash' was Philip Green.

[Floggingmolly]

Tbh, if the bank are unable to explain what happened it's more likely to be their error. Items don't just disappear from accounts without leaving a trail; when it's discovered sitting in a suspense account it'll be transferred back into your account again, as they've every right to do.
Didn't you think it odd that they claimed it had "vanished"?

[glitterglitters]

Lol it wasn't the most "professional" explanation. Nor was the guy hinting that I'd got lucky and telling me I was under no obligation to contact the company 😂

[anonbecauseiwanna]

You need to tell them...

I'm assuming you wouldn't take something from a shop without paying.

[Fabellini]

That's what I assumed too MargaretCavendish

[Katedotness1963]

You got the goods you should pay for them.

[glitterglitters]

Lol no I wouldn't. I'm the type of girl that hands in lost wallets and tells them if they've given me too much change. I'll give it till Monday and if it's not come out I'll drop them an email. #notabadpersonhonest

[Wolfiefan]

You have goods but haven't paid for them. How is that not theft? You would never walk out of a store without paying would you?

[Sundance01]

If it was from a small independent retailer I would say pay but it's Tesco.....

Say nothing but remember they may notice and ask for the money so do not spend it for a while.

[Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername]

So OP tells them, they take the money now....and then again in a few weeks time. Which is exactly what will happen. It won't be refunded, and OP will get a credit note. Don't say a bloody word OP !!!

[Spam88]

Honestly I wouldn't be inconveniencing myself having to call them up to notify them about their mistake. I would just leave it, they might still take the money anyway.

[MegEmski]

I am clearly a bad person, I wouldn't own up (presuming it's not a small independant type).