Honest or Stupid?

[DoubleWasp]

Today, I purchased a couple of batteries online with AAP for my GM wagons (Roadmaster and Caprice). Used my trusty TRT30 and a Speed Perks reward. Picked the batteries up, brought them home, put them in, and went back to the store with old batteries to get my core charges refunded.

Guy at the counter takes my receipt, scans it, and tells me he can't refund my core because my orders were cancelled.

To make a long story short, the guy who gave me the batteries screwed up my pickup and accidentally cancelled my order instead of fulfilling it......and gave me the batteries.

Both the store manager and the phone rep for online orders told me to just keep the batteries because it's not my fault they cancelled my orders and gave me the batteries anyway.

I tried to give the manager my card so he could charge me for the batteries, and he wouldn't accept payment. Phone rep refused to take my card too. I told the manager I was just going to leave the cash on the counter and leave, but he told me I couldn't do that.

I explained that I did not feel right about just taking the batteries, and that I was concerned about potential liability, an he told me, "You want me to put it in writing? The batteries are yours. Keep them!".

I felt kind of dumb at that point, but to me, fair is fair. I'm not hard up or desperate for a couple of batteries. I made an agreement to pay for a product, so I should fulfill it. No different from when I pay the very same company the invoices from my business.

Well, they're really good batteries so far anyway.

 

[Olas]

The way I see it, you're in the clear.

Mistakes happen all the time, but you were honourable and morally correct in making them aware of the mistake and offering to pay.

The manager and the rep both told you it's not a problem and that they are happy for you to keep the batteries..

Everyone is informed, nobody is deceiving anybody, and they're letting you keep the batteries because they know you're not a crook.

 

[alcyon]

these kind of things only happens in the US or other western countries. if it were in Asia the stores would be all over you forcing you to hand over the money.
I say you are honest though.

 

[Al]

As my dad said: "When someone gives you something, take it and look for more"

 

[dlundblad]

I say honest. No stupidity whatsoever.

It was nice of the guys to just give them to you, but it would have been just as easy to take your money too. Maybe knock off 10%-20% for taking up your time, but that is it IMO. The guy that messed up will get a talk I am sure.

 

[Merkava_4]

You offered to pay for the batteries; that's good enough.

 

[Andy636]

Fact is that in today's society with a downhill morality the line between honest and stupid is pretty thin...

 

[SteveSRT8]

You did fine, at least you tried...

 

[AndyinAL]

I am with the original poster. I don't like it when store employees give the store away. They are by definition stealing. It is not their money / product to give away.

You could make the situation right by just placing the same order again. Go into the store, complete the transaction and when you are finished, explain what had happened and put the batteries back on the shelf. That will correct their inventory and allow you to pay for your purchase. You could also get your core money back at the same time.

 

[dave1251]

You did the right thing. Do not feel bad you were honest and an employee of the retail chain you decided to shop from made a mistake.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: AndyinAL
I am with the original poster. I don't like it when store employees give the store away. They are by definition stealing. It is not their money / product to give away.

You could make the situation right by just placing the same order again. Go into the store, complete the transaction and when you are finished, explained what had happened and put the batteries back on the shelf. That will correct their inventory and allow you to pay for your purchase. You could also get your core money back at the same time.



Go ahead and try. The OP will likely have to take the batteries from the shelf out the door, with him when he tries to return the cores of his old cores.

OP if you want to be "right" use the "money" you found to help someone out less fortunate. Not a bum but a person down on their luck at the moment.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

I'm with the OPer, I hate situations like that and would have been equally insistent about paying. Honestly, I probably would not go back to that store again.

 

[Donald]

You did the honest thing. How much time are you expected to spend trying to get them to take your money?

 

[racer12306]

Preface: I am all for paying for the services/products you receive. I had some work done last week that was pretty minor and the shop owner said we'd square up next time I can in. I insisted on paying then because I didn't know when the next time would be as I generally service my own vehicles unless it's something big.



However, you can't force money into their drawer. If the OP has left cash on the table, it would have found it's way into a pocket rather than the till.

 

[itguy08]

You did the right thing. You honestly tried to make the situation right. Use the batteries and know Karma is on your side.

 

[opus1]

You basically told the store "Shut up and take my money!" and they still didn't. You're in the clear as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Astro14]

You're honest.

They're stupid.

 

[6starprez]

Originally Posted By: AndyinAL
I am with the original poster. I don't like it when store employees give the store away. They are by definition stealing. It is not their money / product to give away.

You could make the situation right by just placing the same order again. Go into the store, complete the transaction and when you are finished, explain what had happened and put the batteries back on the shelf. That will correct their inventory and allow you to pay for your purchase. You could also get your core money back at the same time.



I agree with this. Why couldn't they recreate the order instead of just giving the stuff away? Mistakes happen but when you have the opportunity to make it right, you fix it (I thought).

 

[Tdbo]

You attempted to do the right thing.
They refused to accept your money.
That is their issue.
You now have 2 new batteries without warranty, since the sale was cancelled.
If it makes you feel better, take the money and donate it to a worthy charity.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
You did the right thing. Do not feel bad you were honest and an employee of the retail chain you decided to shop from made a mistake.


Yep.