Gift arrived broken

[logplant]

I did a favour for a friend's daughter - I spent a lot of time helping her acquire some skills to help her find a job.
I did not expect anything more than a thanks for my efforts - I was glad just to help.
She sent a gift to my office and it was received broken into tiny pieces. The courier dumped the parcel and ran - so it wasn't noted on the delivery slip.
I hate lying and I hate that she spent money on a gift, it annoys me that the company didn't wrap it properly.

My instinct is that I would much rather know if I was the gift giver. If it was ordered and sent directly from the company it's arguably an easy fix as they should be obligated to replace. If she wrapped it herself I might be more inclined to keep quiet. It would also depend on whether it's something that you might be caught out on if you did hide it?

It was a consumable - it was sent directly from the company. I'm so bloody torn. I'd be annoyed if I sent someone flowers for example and they turned up wilted and dead. And then I think it was the thought that matters...

funnily enough flowers were the comparison I thought of. If I've paid to arrange a treat for a friend then I want them to be able to enjoy the treat and not have forked out for nothing. It is awkward as you don't want to come off as ungrateful for what is a kind gesture and create admin - I guess it comes down to the friendship you have, and ensuring it might not be taken the wrong way.

I suppose you could word a message expressing how touched you were by the kind gesture, let her know the situation, and advise that she needn't do anything as the fact she thought to do at all is lovely. Then the ball is in her court as to whether she follows up on either a refund or replacement.

Contact the company … simple!

I contacted the company and they were very apologetic and are sending out a replacement.