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Original poster

Smug thread- got free pair of Birkenstocks!

55 replies

mrsflux · 10/06/2010 14:56

Just got my new Birkenstocks.
even better they sent another pair, different style same size. No charge! The invoice in that box was same as in the box of the ones I paid for!

Pretty sure they messed up- can't check bank statement till dh brings laptop home tmrw but think theyforgot to charge.

Should I fess up and tell them or keep them as I'm a loyal customer of this website and would be pain to send them back to Germany.

Want to keep them and feel v smug. But do feel a teensy bit naughty

OP posts:
tethersend · 11/06/2010 10:42

For the love of god, it's a free pair of shoes.

You'd think the OP was contemplating armed robbery.

Although they are Birkenstocks, so if I were you, I'd send both pairs back and get some nicer shoes

CrankyTwanky · 11/06/2010 10:43

JL did this to me.

I told them but thy told me to keep it as it would cost too much to collect it.

tethersend · 11/06/2010 10:45

You'd think the OP was contemplating armed robbery.... judging by some of the responses. (forgot to add)

boogywoogy · 11/06/2010 10:57

Let them know and they may well say you can keep them anyway as it's probably not worth the hassle and cost of returning to them.

Original poster
mrsflux · 16/06/2010 14:57

Well I contacted the website and told them they had sent me the second pair by mistake and asked them what I should do.
So much for them appreciating my honesty- they want them back.
I've go to go the the post office and pay for them to be sent to Germany. They say they will refund me up to 10euros. Pain in the bum!

I hope I get my good karma at some point soon as I've had no end of annoying things happen in the last week!

OP posts:
wineismysaviour · 16/06/2010 16:31

should have listened to me mrsflux......

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 16:33

hmm i am not sure it technically counts as theft

if it's unsolicited. which it was. then it is up to the company to ask for them back and to arrange to collect/pay postage for them

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 16:38

From Consumer Direct
Scams
Unsolicited gifts
Some companies send "gifts" such as ballpoint pens, key chains, books or recipe cards through the mail without them being ordered. They just turn up out of the blue.
This is inertia selling. If you're the type of person this company is looking for, you may feel guilty about keeping the item without paying for it. Don't feel guilty! It's yours, and you are under no obligation to pay anything if you did not order the goods.
You may advise the sender in writing that you don't want the goods and say where they can be collected. However, a consumer is under no obligation to do so. Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, it is a criminal offence to demand payment for unsolicited goods from a consumer. Any goods delivered can be kept, for free, by the consumer.
The position is a little different when unsolicited goods are received by a business. In this case, the recipient should notify the sender (registered mail is recommended) that the goods are not required and will not be paid for, and to say where they can be collected. The business recipient is required to keep the goods safe for a period of six months. If they are not collected within this time, the recipient can dispose of the goods as they see fit.
If you have received an unsolicited gift and are unsure how to proceed, call Consumer Direct for advice.
This factsheet is intended to provide general information only, and should not be taken as a full statement of the law on this subject. Phone your local Consumer Direct centre, or contact an alternative consumer support service if you need further or more detailed advice.

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 16:39

so, technically as she did not order these shoes, she was under no obligation to tell the company or return them

scurryfunge · 16/06/2010 16:42

Not strictly unsolicited if the OP had ordered a pair...more like an error with delivery. Although they should be offered for return, I wouldn't pay up front for postage.I would let the company know that they can be collected by courier at their cost or ask for a prepaid envelope for them to be returned.

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 16:44

but she got the pair she had ordered and paid for

this was an extra, unasked for pair wasn't it?

scurryfunge · 16/06/2010 16:45

I think unsolicited means totally out of the blue...I like your thinking but I still think it is stretching it

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 16:46

i reckon i could force myself to believe it if it were me!! lol

scurryfunge · 16/06/2010 16:48

I would have emailed...then it would get lost in massive Birkenstock cyberspace forever.

LilRedWG · 16/06/2010 16:48

This happened to me - I ordered loads of stuff for Christmas from Boots.com. They sent the stuff I'd ordered, plus a pair of bathroom scales worth £80.

I emailed them three times with no response. I mentioned it in store the next time I was there, to be told to email the online store as it was, "nothing to do with our store so we can't accept return". I emailed again - no response.

DH told a colleague who showed him some legislation which basically said, that the scales were legally mine.

So, I sold them on eBay for £80 and didn't feel guilty (well a bit) as I had tried to return them no less than five times.

LilRedWG · 16/06/2010 16:50

Just read your latest post and think they've got a cheek - they should be arranging a courier to collect from you at the least - you should NOT have to pay for their mistake - email them back!

LilRedWG · 16/06/2010 16:57

"Inertia selling / unsolicited goods
It is an offence under the Regulations for a supplier to send unsolicited goods and then demand payment or threaten legal proceedings to get payment for the goods. The recipient of the goods may use, deal with or dispose as if they were an unconditional gift."

From here.

Not sure if this is the info he found, but I would be treating those shoes as unsolicited goods if they try and make you pay for postage.

Original poster
mrsflux · 16/06/2010 17:07

I've asked them how they will be refunding me. Probably should check to see if the cheapest form of posting would cover the shoes for damage/ loss etc.
Tis a pain in the bum.
An all those people who told me to return them should now feel a teensy bit bad for making me feel so guilty and now narked.

OP posts:
WorkingItOutAsIGo · 16/06/2010 17:11

No no no, you have to go back to them and tell them it is their responsibility to arrange collection - no way you should be expected to pay out money in advance.

LilRedWG · 16/06/2010 17:11

I would just email them back saying that the error was theirs and as such you will be expecting them to arrange collection.

It is definitely not your fault that they sent you this extra pair and they should be bloody greatful that you are so honest.

wineismysaviour · 16/06/2010 18:50

I agree, you should tell them to arrange a collection. Not your issue. Leave it up to them to clear up their own mess......hopefully they'll say keep them.

thisisyesterday · 16/06/2010 19:02

you definitely need to tell them to arrange collection.
they sent them by mistake, it is NOT your responsibility to pay to return them

Original poster
mrsflux · 16/06/2010 20:44

They plan on refunding my credit card afterwards. Not keen on this at all!
I've emailed them and told them they should arrange collection as it's their fault. I've also said I'm too busy to go the the post office soon -which is kinda true. Ds does not do queues without a meltdown so would have to wait till weekend.
Will see what they say

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 16/06/2010 22:25

Good for you!

TheFutureMrsClooney · 16/06/2010 22:51

They will have a contract with UPS or whoever - they will be able to arrange collection at a time and place to suit you at their expense. I do this a lot at work (unfortunately never for shoes).

Very cheeky to expect you to arrange return and UPS will probably cost them less than the post office.