Money Moral Dilemma: Should I take advantage of an online supermarket error?

MSE_Kelvin

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

When doing my grocery shop I ordered some products described as multipacks, but when they arrived they were individual items. I contacted the supermarket, and it refunded me, let me keep the items, and said it'd fix the error. When shopping next, the same thing happened, and again it refunded me and let me keep the items. Given I've notified the supermarket, I'm tempted to keep doing the same thing until the error's fixed.

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

That's no moral dilemma, the supermarket are aware of the issue and have not revised the matter so are happy to refund; sure get more. What are the items and the supermarket BTW?  

hdknight88

I'm in IT and love spotting discounts that are still active long after they shouldn't be.  If it happens and I get a discount then I'm happy.  You're not doing anything wrong. 

I was shopping after 1am and spotted Boots discount issue.  It was major. It tried to buy.  The purchase went through but the sale was cancelled.  They did the right thing and spotted it.  Mind you, they spotted it because £35 plus of items was reduced to £1.50.😬

Gervais3232

If you usually order the items then you have no way of telling until they arrive.

if you are ordering them just to take advantage of the situation, karma will catch up with you at some point ;-)

grannybiker

Tesco used to offer Double to Difference if they overcharged you. 
We used to have a thread in here dedicated to spotting out of date shelf labels whereby we could buy an item advertised at half price, thus getting it free.  I see this as very similar.

k_k_k_katy

You're asking because you know you shouldn't do it, your integrity is worth more than whatever you may gain.  Being able to get away with something,even if others support it, doesn't make it right.   It's your decision.

burner04

Had additional £70 of double up vouchers finally come through post this morning, last day of the promotion though I ordered them back on 28th October.... as they didn’t seem to be arriving I phoned them to refund the nectar points earlier last week. Free £70 of goods, yes please! 

Mister_Magic

It seems unfair when they have been good to you by refunding even though it was their mistake.  I bet it wasn't Morrisons, they don't like refunding for their mistakes , I've experienced them being very offhand when I've pointed out a 50 pence overcharge three weeks on the trot. I don't shop there unless it is absolutely unavoidable and I ALWAYS examine my till receipt before I leave the shop. 

meknowalot-51

You say that you've notified the supermarket and it's happened again,it's time to shift it up a gear.You should notify head office and give them all the info. as the local store just don't care,or they have staff there that need training.The fact that you want it sorted shows your an honest person,well done.

BJV

I ordered some tiles for my house they where expensive so I ordered them by the tile. just 37. It was a big tile chain shop. When they arrived there was 37 boxes. I called them to say that they had delivered the wrong amount ( ok I said you have delivered too many,  not hey you have delivered 37 boxes ) and they said it must have been an issue on there side and to keep them. I did and I tiled the hall, downstairs loo, and kitchen. Have to say they look fab!

gazman100

meknowalot-51 said:

You say that you've notified the supermarket and it's happened again,it's time to shift it up a gear.You should notify head office and give them all the info. as the local store just don't care,or they have staff there that need training.The fact that you want it sorted shows your an honest person,well done.

To be fair I don’t think it’s the customers responsibility to raise up to head office. If the individual supermarket can’t be bothered to, I don’t see why anyone else should!