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

MSE_Kelvin

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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Bacman

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_Damascena

Q) Should you be honest or not?

If you can answer this question, you can solve this "dilemma". 

REJP

 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.

Middlestitch

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.

HyperDarren

If you’re questioning yourself, email the company, and await their response. That way you’re not intentionally deceiving anyone, so no guilty conscience 

iclayt

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?

MalMonroe

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?

Brynsam

Yet another non-dilemma. Just contact the company to clarify.

happyinflorida

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!

annieshb

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.