Money Moral Dilemma: Should I send back the pricey diet plan I got free?

edited 1 November 2020 at 8:05AM in Gone off!
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MSE_KelvinMSE_Kelvin MSE Staff
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MSE Staff
edited 1 November 2020 at 8:05AM in Gone off!
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I wanted to try a new diet plan, where the ingredients for a week's meals are sent to you - but it's expensive and I wasn't sure if I'd like it, so I contacted the company to ask if it'd swap some ingredients. It said it would and asked for my address. A few days later, I received a package with meals for a week and the ingredients I wanted - but I didn't order or pay for it, and there was no bill included. I've not heard from the company since, so I'm not sure if it was a free sample or sent by mistake. Should I send it back?

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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Replies

  • BacmanBacman Forumite
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    Email them and ask if it was a mistake.

    Why pay over the odds for such items anyway, simple to buy your own ingredients and pick what you want to eat...
  • Rosa_DamascenaRosa_Damascena Forumite
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    Q) Should you be honest or not?

    If you can answer this question, you can solve this "dilemma". 
    No man is worth crawling on this earth.

    So much to read, so little time.
  • REJPREJP Forumite
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     The only question to answer is one about whether the food is still in date and edible.
    You did not order it, they sent it, no bill in package for you to pay, therefore it is yours.
    If you want to be seen to be honest, then phone or email the company pointing out they have made a mistake and as the  items might spoil in transit from you back to them you have either disposed of the items or eaten them.  Last time I saw this sort of "dilemma" it was considered that unsolicited goods sent by a company without a bill became the property of the recipient.
  • REJP said:
     The only question to answer is one about whether the food is still in date and edible.
    No - there's also the little matter of whether OP has handled any of the items. If they have, end of story; they can't be returned in these COVID-stricken times.

  • HyperDarrenHyperDarren Forumite
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    If you’re questioning yourself, email the company, and await their response. That way you’re not intentionally deceiving anyone, so no guilty conscience 
  • iclayticlayt Forumite
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    What did you think they needed your address for? There might not be a bill included but I'm not sure how you can be surprised that it has arrived at your house, with your specifically requested ingredients, and not think you've ordered it in some way. Hardly unsolicited goods. Why not just get in touch with them to find out what you owe, if anything?
  • MalMonroeMalMonroe Forumite
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    Why not just contact the company and ask them why they have sent you the package and what you owe. I agree with Middlestitch that it isn't possible to return them because of coronavirus. But surely you'll have to pay for them, unless they were truly meant to be samples?
    Please note - taken from the Forum Rules and amended for my own personal use (with thanks) : It is up to you to investigate, check, double-check and check yet again before you make any decisions or take any action based on any information you glean from any of my posts. Although I do carry out careful research before posting and never intend to mislead or supply out-of-date or incorrect information, please do not rely 100% on what you are reading. Verify everything in order to protect yourself as you are responsible for any action you consequently take.
  • BrynsamBrynsam Forumite
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    Yet another non-dilemma. Just contact the company to clarify.
  • You contacted them, you stated you were unsure if you'd like the meal plans, they asked for your address - why did you give it?!  Didn't you ask what they wanted your address for?!
    You've received ingredients to make meals and a week later you're wondering if you should send it back
    There is absolutely no point in contacting the company to see if it's legit or if you should send it back as you cannot possibly send it back due to C' 19 - it's totally unsafe to send it back 
    Enjoy the meals, if they're still in date!
  • annieshbannieshb Forumite
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    I’m confused. 
    OP stated that they contacted the company and asked if they’d do substitutes and they agreed,then took his address.
    i think their belief was that he had made a verbal contract! Why else would be give out his address and possibly other information. He also accepted delivery of the goods.
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