To ask what would you do? (Moral dilemma)

[AliceRR]

I purchased some things online a week or so ago. I had an email saying the items were ready to collect so I went to collect them. When I got there I was told one of the items was not ready yet and to come back tomorrow. I had seen them in store on my way to the collections desk so asked if they can give me one from their store stock so I don’t have to come back the next day.

He went to the stock room and brought one for me and then I left.

He must not have updated the system as I then got an email saying the item was ready to collect.

I didn’t go and collect it as I already have what I ordered and paid for, despite being in the store yesterday.

I got an email today saying that I will be refunded because I didn’t go and collect my item.

DH said that I should contact them immediately to let them know as I couldn’t possibly let them refund me.

I am leaning towards doing that but while looking for contact details to call them it occurs to me it’s a bit of a hassle and their error.

I wondered what would you all do? I imagine lots of people would do nothing and accept the refund or might even have gone in to collect the second item.

The value is £35

MN will always give you a lot of self righteous responses that say you can’t possibly do anything immoral. But the fact is that people do that sort of stuff all the time, as evidenced by the fact that the shop told you nobody else would have pointed it out. People in the real world lie, cheat and look after #1. Personally I wouldn’t have told them.

What a shit system!

So there was an item on the shop floor but they wanted you to go back the next day.

They now can't stop the refund?

No wonder they're struggling!

@Boohissmiss No prob

@swingofthings It didn’t take too long to get through actually despite a “we are experiencing a high volume of calls..” message at the beginning

@LewisMan I imagine that’s right. I know a lot of people who wouldn’t have told them. I’m sure there are loads on mumsnet but they are less likely to say. You are one of the honest ones!! 😃

MN will always give you a lot of self righteous responses that say you can’t possibly do anything immoral.

And an equal number of scummy responses where people would happily rip people off.

@diddl 😂 It seemed odd to me that he didn’t just suggest giving one to me from the shop floor rather than asking me to come back. He did it when I asked but I shouldn’t have had to ask really. I’m also clearly quite heavily pregnant so didn’t shop online so that I’d have to go into store twice!

Wonder how many people saying the OP is a thief, on the other thread told the woman to mind her own business and not report her neighbour for benefit fraud?
Apparently some stealing is acceptable and some isn’t.

Either steal it or don't. Your choice. I'm sure it wouldn't be a hassle if the error had been the other way.

@SoupDragon I think you get fewer people saying they’d take the money though. And I believe more would but don’t say so.

If I could be bothered I’d count how many said they’d take it and how many were appalled by the question 😬

Shelf loads of advent calendars in my local M&S yesterday, but are sold out online.

In most cases those who would be honest are fairly well off and can afford to give up £35. And those who’d keep their mouths shut can’t afford to give up that amount of money that would otherwise be in their pocket. Also most people would be honest with a friend or individual but less inclined to confess to a faceless company.

No moral dilemma.

A MD is between two choices, when there are moral reasons for doing/not doing one or the other.

There is no moral reason for stealing from the store.

I remember the look on the cashier and the store manager's faces in Debenhams when I told them I'd only given them a tenner and they were refunding me out of £20. They were genuinely so taken aback and shocked that I'd pointed out the mistake to them.

They were genuinely so taken aback and shocked that I'd pointed out the mistake to them
Because despite what MN says, in the real world most people don’t fess up to mistakes that benefit them.

LOL are you serious? Why the hell would you accept the money back? It's basically stealing!

Always find it so hilarious that people say 'I just KNOW everyone in real life would keep the money!' to justify the thieving. No, everyone would NOT. Stop trying to excuse your abhorrent behaviour...

Can't believe you're even posting this.

I bought some flossing sticks in my Dentist's office last week, there was a sign clearly saying that they were £4 per packet. The receptionist rung up 2 items at a total of £3.60. I immediately pointed out her error and she sorted it.

If I had done anything else I would have felt dirty and guilty, it's not a moral dilemma, just right versus wrong.

I’m confused....the member of staff simply handed over the item to you? Surely they should have charged you for that item there and then, explaining to you that you would be refunded for the original item when you didn’t pick it up.
This was his error - I’m sure this can’t be correct procedure! Saying that, Morally, I would definitely email the company to explain what has happened- I highly doubt they will cancel the refund as technically you haven’t received the item - there will be no evidence of it on their system if he just gave the item to you!

Its no wonder they don't usually offer one from the stock in the shop if they can't tally up between online and store stock (difficult to believe IMO). Sounds ridiculous.

I can't believe you'd even have to ask your initial question. I got sent two of something that I ordered recently. I decided I'd keep the second item, but I contacted them, told them and we decided they'd send me a PayPal invoice for the second, which I paid. So I got the second item without paying postage and they got the money - we both came out happy.

Standing in a store saying “you’ve given me too much change” is a lot easier than attempting to contact customer services of a large chain and explain what happened. I think I would send them an email and leave it at that.

The same store sent me a large order a month or so ago and it’s only now (Christmas stuff I put out of sight) that I realise one of the clothing items simply isn’t there. Nothing I can do about it. So they’ve gained £15 from me for nothing, that might offset the £35 for the OP a bit!

£35 for a fucking advent calendar

They sound so hopeless. Maybe just give it the same level of attention as they have to your order. Leave it for now

Or human. And made a mistake. But yeah, that justifies the theft and dishonesty.

Human error -v- no moral compass

Where’s the bigger issue?

@Hohocabbage, but you could have done something about it if you had checked when you received the parcel. They would have then corrected their mistake.

There is no dilemma unless you're a thief. WTF are you even asking? You should be ashamed of yourself.

Speaking as someone who works in accounts, there’s nothing more annoying than when a customer rings to say they underpaid. All the admin, the strange concept of apologising to them but yet charging them more, having to investigate the staff member who made the error... just don’t mention it! (Sorry I know it’s too late now).