Money Moral Dilemma: Should I return the refund I got for 'dead' plants I revived?

MSE_Kelvin

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

I ordered plants online from a small company during lockdown and they arrived two weeks late looking almost dead, so I asked for a refund and got it. I put the plants in the garden anyway, in the hope I might revive them - and now they're thriving. Should I contact the company and offer to return the refund?

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 a point of debate and discussed at face value. 

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peter_the_piper

Yes, at least offer. People are quick enough to complain about faults/ missing items etc so should do the right thing.

Black_Cat2

I would contact them and offer the refund.  Wouldn't matter to me if a small company or large one,  I paid for the plants and got the plants so only seems fair 👍

-taff

No. If they came looking half dead they shouldn't have been sent out.

twopenny

Perhaps offer half the cost.

You've got the plants you wanted.

But you have put time and effort into bringing them on

They shouldn't have arrived like that but was it the delivery service at fault? Wonder what the company said when you first phoned them.

MalMonroe

No because they didn't arrive on time and in good condition, they arrived two weeks late, looking almost dead. And goods, whatever they are, should be 'fit for purpose' when you receive them. The plants only revived because of your action.

The company did the right thing when they refunded you, good on them. But they're a business and they have to learn from incidents like this that they can't treat customers so badly. I would have wanted a refund simply because of the lateness. Two weeks isn't acceptable, even during covid. Add to that the condition they were in when they arrived. If businesses insist on operating during a pandemic, then they must take responsibility when things go pear shaped.

You had no idea the plants would survive. And they still may not!  Keep the refund. You are entitled to it.



 

MalMonroe

Black_Cat2 said:

I would contact them and offer the refund.  Wouldn't matter to me if a small company or large one,  I paid for the plants and got the plants so only seems fair 👍

The plants were almost dead and they were two weeks late. What on earth is fair about that?!

MalMonroe

peter_the_piper said:

Yes, at least offer. People are quick enough to complain about faults/ missing items etc so should do the right thing.

People are quick to complain when goods are two weeks late and almost dead to boot. Which is the way it should be. This refund is appropriate and should not be returned. 

iclayt

No, they were free to request you to return them (at their expense), collect them or replace them - if they said keep them and offered you a refund, that's their choice.

Ginger_Peasant

If it was J*ckson's N*rseries, which it very much sounds like from the description of service and quality, definitely don't offer them the refund back. Those guys are fairly evil and unethical sadly and are most definitely not what they seem in terms of quality and home growing.

That being said you shouldn't expect to receive nearly dead plants from anywhere. The fact they refunded you must mean they either agree with you on the condition of the plants you recieved or they don't want the hassle of replacing them for you, as the cost of doing so is likely much higher than the actual value of the plants they sold you.

I'd say your fine to keep the money and feel proud you managed to resurrect the plants!

SNCH67

Go with your instincts. I buy lots of plants online and I've had half-dead ones delivered before. Sometimes I accept refund and sometimes replacement. Either way, I always try to save what was delIvered,  but it isn't always successful. It is the seller's responsibility to ensure that their products are packaged correctly and get to you in good condition. Additional delivery times (because of Covid) should have been taken into account before posting (and packaging altered accordingly as necessary). You obviously feel as though you're being dishonest or you wouldn't  be writing to ask, so, if you're not sure, you can always donate the refund or replacement plant to your local school or care home.