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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Refunded twice

105 replies

Feelingguiltyandpoor · 23/08/2022 20:29

I paid for an event which ended up being cancelled by the company. After a huge amount battling and about 6 weeks later they finally refunded me the money (after initially saying it would be refunded in 5 days). I refunded my friends for their bit and thought that was it. However a week later and I've been refunded again. I'm now in a dilemma as since I bought the tickets a few months ago my financial situation is much worse. Would I be completely unreasonable for not telling the company and keeping the money? It's a big organisation and not a small company who will be hard hit. It's around £100.
God I know it's wrong and it's stealing. I need to tell them don't I even though they tried to keep my money in the first place. This money would be used for petrol and food and not luxuries but I know it's still wrong. I feel so guilty and know I need to do the right thing but this money is so needed right now. Ahhh.

OP posts:
SavoirFlair · 23/08/2022 20:30

What would you do if you spent it and they came back in a few days to say “ooh sorry we overpaid you and we’d like it back”..?

Feelingguiltyandpoor · 23/08/2022 20:33

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe wait a week or so before using it?

OP posts:
chillipenguin · 23/08/2022 20:36

You'd be wrong to keep it and you know it

Feelingguiltyandpoor · 23/08/2022 20:37

Yeah I do chilli. However I'm looking for a 2nd and possibly 3rd job just to pay my bills.

OP posts:
Darkstar4855 · 23/08/2022 20:39

Something like this happened to me a few years ago. I kept it, they never asked for it back.

If I sent money to a big company accidentally do you think they would give it back?

Dazedandconfused10 · 23/08/2022 20:39

I had this once, the just took the 2nd refund back without speaking to me

chillipenguin · 23/08/2022 20:40

Feelingguiltyandpoor · 23/08/2022 20:37

Yeah I do chilli. However I'm looking for a 2nd and possibly 3rd job just to pay my bills.

I hear you. But it's still wrong and you don't want it to catch up with you.

Mumspair1 · 23/08/2022 20:40

Well off course it's wrong, why are you even asking this. It's irrelevant that it's a big company, your moral compass shouldn't be affected by that.

Zooeyzo · 23/08/2022 20:40

They might just recall the second refund so don't spend it straight away. Big company I wouldn't bother contacting them.

LittleLottle · 23/08/2022 20:43

This happened to my DH before but a much bigger sum. They noticed and asked for it to be returned (he hadn't spent it). I don't think youre unreasonable for wanting to keep it but I wouldn't rush out and spend it.

Sunnyqueen · 23/08/2022 20:43

I had a random payment much larger than that a few years ago (2k) also from a massive company with profits in the billions. I spent it and they never chased me or asked me for it back.

GretaVanFleet · 23/08/2022 20:45

You know the right thing to do is to contact them and tell them you’ve been refunded twice. You could tell them that you didn’t realise straight away and therefore can you repay over 3 months/6 months.
I’d rather that than be contact by them when they realise.

OneCup · 23/08/2022 20:47

If I make a mistake sending refund money twice to a customer, I wouldn't expect the money back. Wouldn't even ask for it. My mistake.

wannarunfromitall · 23/08/2022 20:47

I had a double refund years ago pre kids that ended up with me £800 up. Spent it on an all inclusive weekend in a skanky hotel in Spain with my partner. No regrets, no comeback.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 23/08/2022 20:55

Usually I'd say ring them and give it back but it sounds like they've messed you around and it would be more hassle trying to deal with it.
I'd put it aside for emergencies so if they ask you for it back you're unlikely to have spent it. Give it a few months and then consider spending it.

I was once slightly overpaid by my employer, it was an absolute ball ache trying to pay them back. I reckon the company you used would be so arsey with you it's not worth the hassle.

GlueyMooey · 23/08/2022 20:57

I wouldn't keep it. Regardless of them being shite it would be wrong to keep,the money. It sounds like you are trying your hardest to justify keeping it though.

Lincslady53 · 23/08/2022 20:57

We ordered 12 tickets for Wembley to see The Eagles, The Beach Boys and Elton John plus a few others. They sent 24 in error. Sold them to friends and we all had a great day. It was 1975, tickets were £3.50 each. Yes, the decimal point us in the right place.

SparklingLime · 23/08/2022 21:00

Keep it. It’s a windfall.

Flutterbybudget · 23/08/2022 21:07

I SO get the temptation OP
Right now, life is shit, and many of us are struggling to survive day to day

I hope that I’d do the “right” thing, but I do understand the temptation to just keep your head down

parkslice · 23/08/2022 21:12

Oh, I would definitely keep it. Sometimes in life you win, and sometimes you lose. This time you have won, and have a windfall!

Having said that, I wouldn't spend it for a few months just in case.

anotherpotoftea · 23/08/2022 21:13

I’d use it to buy premium bonds. You can cash them in if they ask for the money back and otherwise it might earn you a prize.

OnTheBoardwalk · 23/08/2022 21:18

It’s not your money and if it was the other way round you'd be demanding it back

if you spend and they claim the money back you could end up overdrawn and in a worst position

saying that Man united tried to refund me some VIP soccer aid tickets 3 times. I was tempted to keep that cash

Trainfromredhill · 23/08/2022 21:20

after a huge amount of battling

no. I wouldn’t pay them back. Take it as salary for time spent trying to reclaim the money in the first place. I wouldn’t feel a tiny bit guilty either.

cushioncovers · 23/08/2022 21:22

I'd keep it. Don't spend it for a while but I wouldn't give it back.

carefullycourageous · 23/08/2022 21:24

People's moral compasses are often affected by being unable to pay their essential bills.

I agree it should be paid back but the OP is talking about looking for a third job so I can understand the thought.

But the amount is actually too small to risk the hassle - return it and forget about it.