Money Moral Dilemma: Should I give back the 'accidental' refund for an item I wanted to return?

Katecooks

Fenny_42 said: I have had "sellers" give me the sob story that they are just hardworking people trying to make ends meet and a return will cause them major hardship, so offer a partial refund and tell you to keep the item. 

Agree but if you'd been to China and seen some of the hardship and working conditions you might give them the benefit of the doubt. If you buy from Chinese websites for a fraction of the cost you'd pay in UK and items aren't quite as they look in the photo, you shouldn't be surprised. 

PenniesinthePurse

KEEP THE MONEY. It wasn't what you wanted. You had good reason to return the goods. Request they send you a label to return it to them.
Echoing the experience of @Fenny_42. I bought some display frames intended for decorating my son's wedding venue from the 'marketplace' website of  a well-known homewares store. The frames arrived and I couldn't put them together correctly as they were so poorly made - and not even the correct colour stated in their description. Despite clearly stating on the website that consumers are able to return goods for a refund, it took me one whole month to finally get a refund, during which time the retailer requested photographic proof - of me NOT being able to fit the frames together! They deliberately stalled their replies to Customer Service and myself until I finally had to threaten small court proceedings. Eventually and after many 'stern' emails, I was refunded and the retailer didn't want the items back. Buyers Beware. The market is flooded with shoddy items and it seems tricky to a) reliably receive an order that isn't poor quality or faulty b) return it!! 

louisajoyce

Keep the refund, ask for a label to return the item.  And don't agree to keep things you don't want again.  

Tim11111000111

As this is a "money moral dilemma", I'm inclined to say it seems immoral to agree to a 25% refund in return for keeping the stool, then pocket a 100% refund and keep the stool. If LW wanted a full refund, they should have stuck to their guns and insisted on it, and let the seller decide what happens to the stool (some sellers would simply let you keep it anyway, if it would not be cost effective for the seller to pay to have it returned). 

The legal/contractual arguments could get complicated, depending on the governing law, the online platform's Ts&Cs, the seller's Ts&Cs, etc. all of which would require further input from LW to understand.

Grumpsy

The best advice has already been given: "Tell them you are happy with the refund and they can collect the footstool".  They tried to pull a fast one and sell you something significantly different to that which they advertised. In my opinion, you have no obligation to do otherwise, either financially or morally.

SWwriter

Partial refunds are a con trick. Keep the full refund you're entitled to and ask them for a paid return label.

powerful_Rogue

DD13 said:

I have found that these companies quote that they follow UK consumer laws. Look through the T&Cs they quote and I think you will find they say this (although don't necessarily mean it!) then you can say something like the following:
Quote their Ts & Cs

"SECTION [section number] GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Service and any separate agreements whereby we provide you Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of United Kingdom."

Then you can say:

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK) all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.  

The rules also include digital content in this definition. So all products - whether physical or digital - must meet the following standards:  

As described: The goods supplied must match any description given to you, or any models or samples shown to you at the time of purchase.

 

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK) gives you the legal right to either get a refund for goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described, or get it repaired  - depending on how long you've owned it:

0-30 days: You can claim a full refund for goods that are of unsatisfactory quality, unfit for purpose or not as described. 

If the item is not as described then the seller has to pay return postage, this is part of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK).

You can then say that as the items were not as described you will not refund any money below the full cost.

However, if the Ts and Cs do not mention UK law, the above won't help.

If it says the governing law is the law of the UK then run a mile.

gorgeousgirlie

Saw a news article a while ago about someone who received a payment 'mistakenly' made to their account. They dutifully sent it back and then got a visit from the police as it was a money laundering scam! Don't remember all the details but just be careful if you get an 'accidental payment' who it's actually come from 😉

scher

Sorry but you agreed to keep the stool and a refund of 25%. You can't have it all, so either return the 75% or the stool.

ElefantEd

scher said:

Sorry but you agreed to keep the stool and a refund of 25%. You can't have it all, so either return the 75% or the stool.

Or maybe return 75% of the stool and keep the 25% you want?