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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go back and cancel the cheque?

38 replies

NameChanged2022 · 30/04/2022 18:51

Oh Mumsnet I've done a daft thing.

Visited a shop two weeks ago. Saw something we liked (garden furniture set) but we weren't 100% sure. Took some time to think about it, went back today and bought it. Delivery on Wednesday, paid in full.

Sitting down just now gloating merrily about our new "set". Had a quick look online to see if it exists in the internetworld, without really thinking.

Bloody found it. At two thirds of the price. Delivery within 14 days. In fact we could buy it, buy protective covers for it and buy a blinking parasol which would shade it for the same bloody price off the internetworld.

What do I do? I paid in cash. We have a receipt obviously, but I'm embarrassed to go back and say "here's the thing....". It is not inexpensive. Please give me some courage oh wise ones. Do I return to the showroom tomorrow and cancel the (cash) cheque?

OP posts:
PaddleBoardingMomma · 30/04/2022 20:04

ICancelledTheCheque · 30/04/2022 19:57

Well, you know what I’d do 😂

🤣🤣🤣

caringcarer · 30/04/2022 20:06

I think in this instance you just have to suck it up and next time research before buying, not after.

CapMarvel · 30/04/2022 20:10

Invisimamma · 30/04/2022 19:56

Was it a chain store or an independent? If it's a large chain you can probably get your money back.

Don't pay over the odds just because they mark the prices up to have a nice showroom. Say you've changed your mind and as you haven't seen the set you're buying you are within cooling off period for a refund.

I often return things after finding them cheaper elsewhere or if they go on sale at a later date. Most places have a 28 day money back policy and I only buy from stores that have good refund policies.

If you don't like prices being marked up because they have a physical store then don't shop there.

Don't be a total dick and buy stuff just to return it if you find a boxpusher online selling it cheaper.

Sally090807 · 30/04/2022 20:20

If it’s not been delivered yet you could always say you’ve measured the area you need it for a realised it’s too large or too small. Just remember that online purchases usually come with a hefty delivery fee too.

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 30/04/2022 20:39

NameChanged2022 · 30/04/2022 19:31

@CapMarvel you are totally right. We had the opportunity to sit on it and ruminate which we wouldn't have had if we had bought online. In fact the reason we returned is because I simply didn't want to take a punt on an online set and be disappointed. The showroom we visited had many many sets all of which will suit somebody somewhere, and being able to properly see the items and try them out has been invaluable.

I shall swallow the extra cost and enjoy the garden even more in the knowledge it'll arrive on the day they've booked it to arrive, which will inevitably be way ahead of the online schedule.

Thanks for giving my head the shake it needed.

Thank you. Without shops like this we can never touch, or try items. They are not ripping you off they just have much higher costs, rent on the units, staff, public liability, lighting, heating, expertise. It will be a sad day when our only option to shop is online.

Original poster
NameChanged2022 · 30/04/2022 20:47

ICancelledTheCheque · 30/04/2022 19:57

Well, you know what I’d do 😂

🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
andweallsingalong · 30/04/2022 20:48

NameChanged2022 · 30/04/2022 19:31

@CapMarvel you are totally right. We had the opportunity to sit on it and ruminate which we wouldn't have had if we had bought online. In fact the reason we returned is because I simply didn't want to take a punt on an online set and be disappointed. The showroom we visited had many many sets all of which will suit somebody somewhere, and being able to properly see the items and try them out has been invaluable.

I shall swallow the extra cost and enjoy the garden even more in the knowledge it'll arrive on the day they've booked it to arrive, which will inevitably be way ahead of the online schedule.

Thanks for giving my head the shake it needed.

Nice one OP, also worth remembering that shops have to buy the demo ones too.

Really wish the government would even things up by increasing taxes for online only sellers. The business rates per sq foot for their warehouses are a fraction of for a showroom, yet Martin Lewis teaches us that the bricks and morter stores that show us the products before we buy are ripping us off by charging more than an Internet only store that can survive on a tiny profit.

Original poster
NameChanged2022 · 30/04/2022 20:50

I've / we've decided to continue with the purchase we made today, and I thank you all for your input.

The ability to try before we buy has been invaluable and the simple fact is: we will receive the goods on Wednesday. Lead time online is "from" mid June. So we win 6 weeks of extra enjoyment in our garden. That's priceless actually - well worth the extra dolla.

OP posts:
Branster · 30/04/2022 20:54

On the basis that you made a considered purchase, you thought it through, tried in the furniture etc, I would say enjoy your new garden furniture.

I would feel equally disappointed to find the same item online with such a big saving.

However, the markup in a physical shop would have to be higher because of the overheads. And you get the benefit of talking to a real salesperson face to face. Delivery is also really fast, 1 working day with the bank holiday. You get the service.

I would go back in person to the shop and ask nicely if there is any possibility of getting a discount on your purchase because you saw it online for this deal. Tell them the truth.
They might offer a slight discount (I would be surprised if they would be in a position to match the online offer), or offer an additional matching item free of charge, or decline politely explaining why they can't offer a reduction.

If you get anything from the shop, brilliant.
If not, at least you tried and you are still getting what you want which made you happy a few hours ago.

Be honest, ask politely and expect no improvement on the original paid price.

The physical shop is still in business because of people like you.
Whichever way this turns out, enjoy your purchase.

SquirrelG · 30/04/2022 21:03

I think you made the right decision OP, and as you said you will have enjoyed the furniture now rather than having to wait. This happens to most of it at some time and I think we just have to suck it up and move on.

BattenburgDonkey · 30/04/2022 21:05

6 weeks of extra enjoyment is well worth it OP, not to mention if there’s a problem (faulty) it will be much easier to sort than online. Enjoy OP

Sugarplumfairy65 · 30/04/2022 21:05

ouch12345 · 30/04/2022 19:09

@Chasingsquirrels
It's the law?

You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. They have another 14 days to return the goods once they've told you. You must refund the customer within 14 days of receiving the goods back. They do not have to provide a reason.

This is for online sales not in person sales. The shop does not have to refund

gianaInfertilitySucks · 30/04/2022 22:54

I don't believe they will agree, but ask about their cancellation policy, maybe they can give you a voucher or something.

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