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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is DP BU to keep a tv Amazon sent him in error?

90 replies

Tadpolle · 30/11/2023 20:37

It looks from the weight label on the big box the tv came in, and the email notification, Amazon think they've delivered some cheap small batteries he ordered.

But the batteries came yesterday and today it's a big tv worth about £450. He didn't order or pay for it.

His current plan is to keep it intact in packaging for a few weeks and if nothing happens, use it as our tv.

Had anything like this happened to you? Is this technically a crime? Would Amazon even care given then scale of the operation and the time of year? I've been told by them not to bother returning erroneous deliveries before. Is DP being U to keep it?

OP posts:
Ofcourseshecan · 02/12/2023 05:12

I’m surprised how many people are saying just keep it. The delivery was obviously a mistake, and I would consider it stealing unless he contacted the supplier and was told to keep it. I wouldn’t be happy living with someone dishonest.

electriclight · 02/12/2023 05:18

Something similar happened to me.

I contacted them and said I had had a parcel delivered in error - it had my name and address on it but I had not ordered anything. I said that I hadn't opened it and didn't know what was inside. I asked them to collect it by a certain date or I would get rid of it as in the way in my hallway. I never heard from them, they never collected it, and eventually I kept it with a clear conscience.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/12/2023 05:37

Just start a conversation with their online chat saying you've had a box delivered but you didn't order anything and that you don't know what it is because you didn't open it. They might tell you not to bother returning it 😆

In the highly unlikely event that it isn't clearly labelled on the box, what other item would come in a box of that shape and size?!

All these people say just keep Amazon won't care. Don't be so sure. I bought a travel bag and it was ripped when I got it delivered. They wanted it back before sending me a new $15.00 one.

I think it makes a difference as to how often you return faulty (or maybe just now-unwanted) items, or how much purchase history you have with them.

Second or third item bought from them and then reported as faulty, that might flag up with them as you potentially trying it on; 89th purchase, when you reported no issues at all with the previous 88: they probably reckon that you're almost certainly genuine.

Hecate01 · 02/12/2023 05:42

Uurrjb · 01/12/2023 22:40

If you are in any sort of professional body and are pursued through the courts for dishonesty could you lose your registration?

I also judge people on their integrity

Amazon has no integrity either so he's in good company.

TakeMe2Insanity · 02/12/2023 05:54

We had a high value item sent to us, not our address, called Amazon who asked us to deliver it (!!!) we refused, we were ok with them collecting it. Amazon refused and said we could keep it! So we did and they delivered a new item to the person!

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 02/12/2023 05:55

They really don't have any integrity. We ordered an expensive item on Black Friday. It was supposed to be delivered on Saturday but they said they attempted a delivery (they didn't). The package then disappeared overnight. They delivered it Sunday with two other items. When we opened the box it was a cheap plastic harness. We got a crime number but Amazon are refusing to refund. Their customer service is appalling. We have 20+ emails most of them asking the same questions and telling us we can return the expensive item their employees stole!
In the process of getting a charge back or doing small claims. Amazon don't care.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/12/2023 05:55

Amazon has no integrity either so he's in good company.

True; but nobody is going to sack or restrict Amazon, are they? If even HMRC aren't bothered about closing tax loopholes that hugely benefit them, then it's not like there's going to be a 'huge online shops named after rivers' professional trade body that could stop them.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/12/2023 06:04

I rather think that Amazon work as two separate operations - with the sales part being treated as pretty much unrelated to the delivery part.

Once the item has left them and they have your money, it's almost like the sales operation treats delivery as something entirely unconnected with them, rather than an integral, wholly linked up part of their same business.

I do hate it when they tell you how soon you're allowed to complain about non-delivery of parcels - and you have to wait for a certain amount of time to discover which random neighbour's bin their delivery person shoved it behind before reporting it as not received, even though their system 'confirms' that it HAS been delivered (somewhere).

NumberTheory · 02/12/2023 06:26

Momtotwokids · 02/12/2023 04:18

All these people say just keep Amazon won't care. Don't be so sure. I bought a travel bag and it was ripped when I got it delivered. They wanted it back before sending me a new $15.00 one.

They’re bothered about things like that because that’s a process that someone who’s dishonest could turn in to a repeatable scam. Order something, say it’s damaged, get refund, sell item you were allowed to keep. Whereas you can’t turn an accidental delivery by Amazon into a repeatable scam because you can’t make Amazon send you an extra TV you didn’t order.

Nofilteritwonthelp · 02/12/2023 06:27

Sure if you think it's ok if the same happened to you. Karma is a bitch.

amylou8 · 02/12/2023 06:35

I'd do exactly what he is doing. Keep it intact and see if they ask for it back.

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 02/12/2023 06:39

Meh, call it a write off for all the tax they don't pay and let him stick to his plan

SmokySilverShine · 02/12/2023 06:43

Companies do collect, a farm supply type shop sent me a seed spreader ( trundles a long with long handle ) and some other stuff in a box, and when I contacted them to say I had someone else’s order, they arranged for the courier to return and collect it.
It was probably worth about £50-£60 in total

SpringingJoy · 02/12/2023 06:47

When we opened the box it was a cheap plastic harness. We got a crime number but Amazon are refusing to refund. Their customer service is appalling. We have 20+ emails most of them asking the same questions and telling us we can return the expensive item their employees stole

You know that that's probably not what happened though right? It's far more likely that you've received what was actually in the box the whole time...it's a well known scam. Emailing and ranting at them about employee theft and getting a crime reference number - tbh it's not surprising you're not getting far.

sgvibes · 02/12/2023 06:50

I had two lamps delivered by mistake after ordering one (not from Amazon), I emailed them asking if they wanted to collect it and they wanted me to take it to the post office to send it back. I refused to do that so they said keep it 😂

Also had the same happen with a very expensive duvet. They said they were going to collect but never arranged it so I sold it a year later tor £150 on eBay. They had their chance!

ActDottie · 02/12/2023 06:58

Tbh I’d keep it, but as your husband says keep it in its packaging for a month or so and if you hear nothing keep it.

Morally wrong but I think there’s far more morally wrong things people do. Amazon is a massive company it’s not like he’s keeping it and not returning it to a small independent.

ActDottie · 02/12/2023 06:58

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 02/12/2023 06:39

Meh, call it a write off for all the tax they don't pay and let him stick to his plan

Lol best response!

Optimist1 · 02/12/2023 07:30

I find this hard to believe. I bought a TV from Amazon a couple of weeks ago (only a bit more expensive than the one you had delivered, OP) and they sent a security password I had to give the delivery driver when it came. I'd had similar last year when I bought a new laptop from them.

SuspiciousSue · 02/12/2023 07:34

Definitely let them know but I reckon you’ll be allowed to keep it. We ordered 4 litres of Bailey’s but they sent 4 x 0.75l. We rang to query and they said to keep the 4 smaller bottles and sent out 4 x litre bottles. We were expecting to be asked to return the others but no 🤷‍♀️

SuspiciousSue · 02/12/2023 07:39

TrishTrix · 30/11/2023 20:55

It's unsolicited goods. I think you can keep it legitimately.

Mind you when it happened to me (huge order of stamps sent by Royal Mail) which I notified them about and they did nothing in response to but then threatened me with court action months later.

In the end I bribed my lawyer friend to write a cease and desist letter reminding them of their obligations under consumer law.

Citizens Advice have a template letter.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/template-letters/letters/problems-with-goods-or-services/letter-to-say-you-received-goods-or-services-you-didnt-ask-for/

Surely one letter wouldn’t work? It seems too good to be true. Are they allowed to take you to court or is this the end of the matter? I’m really curious.

BertieBotts · 02/12/2023 07:50

I would keep it and wait, it would be a huge hassle to arrange redelivery of a TV anyway so they will chase you for it if they want it back. I wouldn't sell it, use it or anything until it had been some time though.

It seems unlikely they will say "Awwww just keep it!" for a TV. For returns they sometimes say this if processing the return would cost more than just refunding the item. That is unlikely to apply to a £450 item.

ScarlettSunset · 02/12/2023 07:51

I thought with unsolicited goods, you were still supposed to advise you had received it, and then if they didn't collect the item within a certain period of time, you were allowed to keep it? The onus was on them to collect it though My understanding was based at what I learnt at 6th form many, many years ago and so could be wrong...
I did once have an expensive item delivered to me in error from Amazon. I contacted them to advise and they then expected me to pay to return it! I refused and they did arrange a courier to collect it, but I remember it being a lot of hassle.

Depdawg · 02/12/2023 07:55

Uurrjb · 01/12/2023 22:40

If you are in any sort of professional body and are pursued through the courts for dishonesty could you lose your registration?

I also judge people on their integrity

🙄

AmazingBouncingFerret · 02/12/2023 08:03

A few years ago we moved house at the beginning of December. We purchased new white goods from curry’s to be delivered but got messed about so badly we ended up with no washing machine or dryer over Christmas (thankfully they managed to deliver the dishwasher!) Anyway, in the confusion of them telling us days and times and not showing. We ended up with two tumble dryers. It’s been sat still in its packaging, in the garage, waiting for its brother to die so it can replace.
I feel no shame.

AgnesX · 02/12/2023 08:05

It's not exactly honest if he keeps it is it.

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