Money Moral Dilemma: Should I send back my accidental 'freebie'?

Former_MSE_Megan_F

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I ordered a pram but the company sent two. The invoice/confirmation etc is just for one item - should I tell the firm it sent two or make some money from the extra one?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.


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DigForVictory

Sadly a no-brainer - contact the business, advise them of the duplication & invite them to collect the spare with all reasonable speed.
Have a Merry Christmas, may the pram occupant learn night from day soon & similar ethical MS ways!

TBagpuss

Of course you should not kep the extra. It is obviously an error and you would be stealing.

Contact the capmny, explain the situation and ask them to arrange to collect the duplicate.

It's possible that they may decide it is too much hassle, and tell you to keep it, in which case you can honesatly sell it (or donate it)

If they don't, then youhave lost nothing and will be in the position you would have ben in had they not made a mistake.

Or they may collect it but offer you a voucher or gift as a thank you, in which case you are quids in.

jgriggle

If you keep it the company may well find out at the next stocktake, identify the member of staff responsible and deduct the cost from their wages. Everybody has an off day and makes mistakes at work, some companies make their employees pay for them. There is no such thing as free. Somebody, somewhere has to pay.

anotheruser

Depends on your morals.

So many people would keep quiet. But then there are many people here that are morally "high" yet are decieving in other ways - all swings and roundabouts.

mrzippy

Legally, assuming law hasn't changed since left school in 1992, you have to keep a non perishable item for 6 months, if they don't notice by then it's legally yours. But law could well have changed.

Of course if a small business you may want to tell them, but big business who cares! It's their error!

Sarah_mc_2

Something similar happened to me several years ago- I ordered a £30 suitcase from my catalogue (which was what was on the invoice) but I was sent a brand new games console with games package which was worth almost £600! I had a few people try and offer me a couple of hundred quid to buy it off me but in the end I couldn't keep it and called the catalogue company to let them know what had happened- I was really worried someone might end up losing their job over it. The person I spoke to was shocked I had been so honest but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself for being so dishonest had I kept it. You should let the pram company know and be happy to live in the knowledge that you're a good, honest person.

pollypenny

Of course you should contact the company. It's a very expensive item. If anything goes wrong with your pram you'll want it sorted.

tabaira

You should inform the seller that they have duplicated their order. They may well tell you to keep the second item; or they will arrange collection/delivery back, for no cost to you.

Ahimsa269

These companies make so much money from us, i say keep it! Store it in the loft for 6 months just to be sure then sell it. I am sure they will just write it off as a loss on their next stock take, and I doubt they could be sure it came to you anyway. Prams are expensive to us but to a big company it is nothing! If it makes you feel better donate some of the money to a charity

Person_one

Moral Dilemma: "Shall I steal an expensive pram?"

Good one MSE.