Money Moral Dilemma: Should I accept delivery of a sofa I've been refunded for?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks…

I ordered a sofa, but two months later it still hadn’t arrived. When I contacted the company, they couldn’t find it. I’d already given my old one away and, at 78 with a new hip, I was stuck using a deckchair. Eventually, I was told to cancel my order to get my money back - which I did - and then I bought a sofa elsewhere. Now the delivery firm keeps calling about the original sofa. I’ve explained I cancelled, but they still say they’re coming. It’s been so stressful, I almost feel like just accepting it, but I’m worried about the repercussions.

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eskbanker

It's up to the retailer to decide what you should do with it, not their contractor, the delivery company, but refusing delivery would seem the obvious response.

Grumpy_chap

Ask the Retailer to intercept the delivery.

From a practical perspective, the OP has an alternative sofa already so having another sofa turn up with no where to put it is going to be a nuisance and inconvenience to far greater extent than it is a "win" of any kind. Would the OP expect to keep the sofa for free? Or expect the Retailer to collect the sofa at a later date?

Being the "involuntary bailee" of a large item like a sofas would be a right annoyance.

saajan_12

I almost feel like just accepting it, but I’m worried about the repercussions.

The reprecussions would be you'd need to store it safely for a reasonable time and allow the retailer to collect their property.

That seems more inconvenient to me than just ignoring the delivery company's calls and rejecting delivery if they show up.

Jemma01

The delivery company often can't keep it for long (they have no storage), and will end up returning it to the seller.

I would contact the seller to cancel it with the delivery company, if nothing else, decline it when they come by.

There's way more hassle accepting it. You can't take it and sell it, you need to give them time to collect it first, where are you going to store it!? You need to demonstrate you made an effort to return it and waited sufficient time. Just too much stress for nothing.

always_learning22

Simple answer is No. Your the customer and have made a decision that should be respected by both contractors and delivery agent

Okell

"… Now the delivery firm keeps calling about the original sofa. I’ve explained I cancelled, but they still say they’re coming…"

I presume the delivery company is different from the company you cancelled the purchase with?

Go back to the company you purchased from and tell them to sort this out with the delivery company.

Tell them that if the delivery company do deliver the sofa that you cancelled that you won't accept responsibility for it as you have nowhere to store it

DigForVictory

I'd phone the delivery people, & say you don't want this sofa. [I'd add your nephew may be in with his pack of ill-disciplined dogs, so any delivery is a bad idea and at their risk.. Whilst you hope to be receiving therapy for your advanced arthritis and will not be present. Oh yes & the sister-in-law may be dropping off her geese while she's on holiday. Your pet parakeet 'Bomber' is moulting & unusually bad-tempered, & the neighbour's cat sounds like it's in season again…]
Keep on adding reasons (All Fictitious, but not quite interesting enough to investigate) as to why delivery is likely to be hazardous to their staff & any abandoned furniture, whilst planning to spend the day with a friend?

phillothommo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664097/money-moral-dilemma-should-i-accept-delivery-of-a-sofa-ive-been-refunded-for

If they ARE INSISTING.

Then maybe the Company is Making a GOODWILL GESTURE for the Hassle. Pain, Inconvenience. ACCEPT IT. AND MOVE ON.

I HOPE THAT THE HIP IS BETTER. TAKE CARE. ❤️🙏

PennysIntoPounds

Not sure how this is a moral dilemma, just contact the company and tell them to cancel the delivery with the courier.

Or if you want another sofa, ask the company if they want the sofa (might be old range by now) and if not should you accept delivery and can they please send an email confirming the sofa is free of charge

dumpster_fire2025

I don't see how this is remotely a "moral dilemma."

I wouldn't accept the sofa for two reasons, nothing to do with morals.

1. Sofas are big things and getting them into houses can be difficult, there's the chance things could get damaged whist they do this. Do you really want to have to faff around claiming compo for damage caused from delivery of a sofa you don't want?
2. They're going to want their sofa back which means not only the upheaval of getting it inside, but the upheaval of them getting it back out again. Do you really want all that faffing? If the answer is to leave it outside then you're also going to be responsible for looking after it whilst it is in your possession, do you really want to have to deal with that?

If the company won't cancel the delivery then just refuse it at the door.