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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this stealing?

126 replies

WittiestUsernameEver · 21/03/2024 20:50

Keeping this a little vague (because I need to know if I should follow this up)

If you handed your laptop
(but not charger) to a Repair Company to fix, and they sent it away for you under warranty to the manufacturer and the device was declared beyond economic repair. Manufacturer send out an equivalent laptop that is the same spec or higher, but different model. Repair Company sets up the new laptop for you and hands the new device to you without the charger. (Both devices use the same rated charger)

Would you expect Repair Company to give you the replacement charger that was in the box? Or is it okay for Repair Company to keep the new charger for their own as you still have your original charger that works perfectly with your new laptop?

OP posts:
Lampslights · 22/03/2024 07:08

WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:07

Ok.To me there's no difference.

but am willing to accept I'm wrong. And everyone would be just fine with them taking the charger from their new laptop and selling it on.

You clearly aren’t willing to accept you’re wrong.😂

Picklestop · 22/03/2024 07:08

WittiestUsernameEver · 21/03/2024 20:56

To be clear it's the SHOP keeping the new charger that was sent with the replacement laptop (brand new in box)

Yes you have said that. You gave the repair shop a laptop, you have a repaired / replaced laptop back. All good. Their engagement with a third party is none of your business, you entered a commercial arrangement with the repair shop.

amidsummernightsdream · 22/03/2024 07:08

Crossed posted with your ‘lost’ charger scenario. Yes this does muddy the waters a bit.
I think it would be good will to hand the charger over but could kind of see why they might charge for new if old charger wasnt handed in, although not great customer service!

Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:09

DarkDarkTimeOfLife · 22/03/2024 07:07

Op why are you so focused on this charger when you already have one that works with the laptop?
What exactly is the issue here and why do you feel so hard done to?

Because I think they are stealing the chargers.
The customer has been sent a complete brand new laptop with charger, from the manufacturer
The shop are opening the box, removing the charger and selling/keeping it, and handing the rest to the customer.

But I'm clearly wrong. They're entitled to take the new charger apparently.

OP posts:
Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:10

Picklestop · 22/03/2024 07:08

Yes you have said that. You gave the repair shop a laptop, you have a repaired / replaced laptop back. All good. Their engagement with a third party is none of your business, you entered a commercial arrangement with the repair shop.

Show quote history

That's fine. You think it's absolutely ok for them to take the charger and sell it on.
I think they're stealing the charger.

I'm wrong apparently. And that's ok.

OP posts:
72k · 22/03/2024 07:16

DarkDarkTimeOfLife · 22/03/2024 07:07

Op why are you so focused on this charger when you already have one that works with the laptop?
What exactly is the issue here and why do you feel so hard done to?

Read the thread 😂

Lampslights · 22/03/2024 07:18

WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:10

That's fine. You think it's absolutely ok for them to take the charger and sell it on.
I think they're stealing the charger.

I'm wrong apparently. And that's ok.

Show quote history

Goodness me. If you think you work for a bunch of thief’s then find a new job. And just accept people have different opinions to you. The majority and the shop think it’s fine. You don’t. So find another job, no one should work for any one they consider thieves.

Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:35

I am accepting that everyone thinks it's fine for them to take the charger...

OP posts:
Mostlyoblivious · 22/03/2024 09:10

WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 07:35

I am accepting that everyone thinks it's fine for them to take the charger...

I don’t think it’s fine. Customer bought a laptop. Laptop broke. Replacement sent. Manufacturer is replacing like for like from the initial point of sale. If I were the customer I would be wanting to unbox myself and not have the shop present me with a completely unwrapped unit. This is small scale theft/fraud if the company are then selling the charger on as ultimately it was sent for the customer

Picklewicklepickle · 22/03/2024 09:21

I’d think it was cheeky AF and wouldn’t use them again but wouldn’t bother complaining.

oviraptor21 · 22/03/2024 09:47

Even with your switcheroo I think this is fine. The broken component is being replaced like for like. The charger is not part of the broken component.
I guess the warranty terms and conditions may say something different. If I was bothered about it I would be looking at them carefully.
For the manufacturer clearly it's not worth their effort taking out the charger but for the shop it is and as the charger (subject to Ts&Cs) is not required to be replaced then the shop is doing nothing wrong.

KrisAkabusi · 22/03/2024 10:02

The customer isn't losing anything. You said yourself you think they should get one they could use as a spare. So clearly you think they should be getting something extra, whereas the majority think they should just get like for like.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 22/03/2024 10:17

If you wanted a new charger you should have handed your old one over.

Even then, I'm not sure you'd be entitled to get a new one back. The warranty covers replcement of defective parts. From what you say that has been done and you have actually ended up with something better than you started with.

I can't see how you can have any claim on a new charger based on nothing more than "it came in the same package".

Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 10:32

Okay okay. I'm wrong. I get it.

I'm sure you'd be very happy for them to do this.
I just don't actually believe anyone would be happy with a situation, where, for example, they say to you, a new replacement laptop has arrived and you go in and they open the box in front of you and remove the charger, and when you queried it and they told you "oh well we're going to sell it". I just think you would all insist it was your charger and they shouldn't take it 🤷‍♀️

I'm wrong . I get it. They can take the charger and sell it on. Not an issue apparently.

OP posts:
Original poster
WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 10:33

Mostlyoblivious · 22/03/2024 09:10

I don’t think it’s fine. Customer bought a laptop. Laptop broke. Replacement sent. Manufacturer is replacing like for like from the initial point of sale. If I were the customer I would be wanting to unbox myself and not have the shop present me with a completely unwrapped unit. This is small scale theft/fraud if the company are then selling the charger on as ultimately it was sent for the customer

Show quote history

I agree, but 99% of others would have no issues with the shop removing and keeping the charger for their replacement device...sooooo.... 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
BabySnarkDoDoo · 22/03/2024 10:42

As the customer I wouldn't expect to gain a charger out of this scenario. If they opened the box in front of me and took the charger out, I may ask if I can return the old charger and swap it for the new one if it was a laptop I'd had for a while.

I doubt the repair shop is making a fortune out of selling on these chargers and clearly shipping both the laptop and charger together is the most cost effective option for the manufacturer.

Mostlyoblivious · 22/03/2024 11:01

WittiestUsernameEver · 22/03/2024 10:33

I agree, but 99% of others would have no issues with the shop removing and keeping the charger for their replacement device...sooooo.... 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

It boils down to morals at the end of the day. The habitual erosion of which seems accepted as the norm and when someone challenges it they are seen as the odd one out. In certain professions this would be seen poorly and as a probity issue, however in retail I doubt it. If you feel moved to, then speak with trading standards without giving your details to see where they stand.

DaoineSidhe · 22/03/2024 11:20

If the original laptop is ‘unfixable’, there are possible scenarios where the customer’s original charger may be part of the problem, may have been affected by the problem, may have caused a problem and I think the new charger is therefore meant to go to the customer to cover all possibilities. I don’t know what brand computer is involved here, but an apple macbook ownbrand charger and cable is worth over 100 these days so if it were this, I doubt the company is just giving them to the repair store for free, more likely they are meant for the customer.

KrisAkabusi · 22/03/2024 11:21

I just don't actually believe anyone would be happy with a situation, where, for example, they say to you, a new replacement laptop has arrived and you go in and they open the box in front of you and remove the charger

But they are not doing that. You said the box arrives, they open it, set up the laptop and then hand that over. They are creating the situation where the customer is getting a like for like replacement and providing an additional service.

Bumblebeeinatree · 22/03/2024 11:35

What are you going to do with two chargers? The warranty is meant to 'make you whole' not better off.

You should probably have given the repair company the charger with the laptop, that might have been the faulty bit and/or caused the failure of the laptop. Did they have to send a charger to the manufacturer with your laptop? Does the manufacturers instructions say do or do not send the charger if you return a laptop for repair?

I wouldn't make a big deal of it, but if you really want the new charger ask to swap the old one for the new one.

toomanyy · 22/03/2024 11:38

It's irrelevant what OP does what with the second charger, both chargers belong to her!

This thread is ridiculous.

OP, I would be demanding the charger back.

toomanyy · 22/03/2024 11:38

KrisAkabusi · 22/03/2024 11:21

I just don't actually believe anyone would be happy with a situation, where, for example, they say to you, a new replacement laptop has arrived and you go in and they open the box in front of you and remove the charger

But they are not doing that. You said the box arrives, they open it, set up the laptop and then hand that over. They are creating the situation where the customer is getting a like for like replacement and providing an additional service.

But they're just a repair company, they don't the laptop!

KrisAkabusi · 22/03/2024 11:39

toomanyy · 22/03/2024 11:38

It's irrelevant what OP does what with the second charger, both chargers belong to her!

This thread is ridiculous.

OP, I would be demanding the charger back.

You might think the thread is ridiculous, but you clearly haven't read all of it!

Magnastorm · 22/03/2024 11:40

Personally I couldn't care less.

You have a charger; they have a charger. Who cares who has which one?

AlltheFs · 22/03/2024 11:43

YABU

You are only entitled to a replacement for what was faulty. What they do with the new charger is nothing to do with you, it’s not stolen. It’s not yours.

I can’t imagine getting so invested in a charger of all things.