What would you do? Shopping ethics question - YouLookFab Forum

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What would you do? Shopping ethics question

Maya

Veteran

I went to Intimacy a few weeks ago to get my annual fitting. All of my bras require alterations, but one of them was not in stock in the right color, so they had to order it and were willing to ship it to me for free.

A few weeks later I dropped in to pick up one bra, and ask about the bra that was supposed to be shipped. Turns out they hadn't even ordered it, let alone altered or shipped it.

To make up for it, they pulled a new one for me (which they had since stocked), and asked the seamstress to do a rush job and send it out using expedited shipping.

Well, I got the bra a few days ago.

Then today I got a second package: The same bra, altered and everything.

So apparently they sent me two of them. Of course, I only paid for one.

Do I come clean or just cash in? It's already altered so I'm thinking there isn't much point in making a fuss.

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

Kappy

Veteran

I would call them and tell them. Chances are very high they would tell you to keep it anyway because it is altered. I am a strong believer in karma and wouldn't chance it!

Debora

Veteran

Maya, I would call the store and explain to them exactly what you told us. I would offer to return the second bra. You shouldn't have to pay for it since it was their mistake. Hopefully, they will let you keep it since it has already been altered, but I would be prepared to return it if they want it back.

ETA: Kappy, we posted at the same time. It looks like we are on the same wavelength.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This has happened to me with other clothing items. I fessed up. And they said "keep it" both times. My BF also has had eBay instances where things weren't as advertised, etc and the outcome was also "keep it". I didn't expect that outcome but I was happy with it! For me, I felt better just knowing I had done the right thing.

Di

(website)

Veteran

Yep, I'd call 'em, too.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I would call them and ask them what they want me to do.

rosee

Veteran

Happened to me but not with bras (they sent an extra down coat). I returned it, and they sent me a gift card as a thank you. Ask the store what they would like you to do, chances are if it's altered, they'll let you keep it. But if you do so on your own without contacting the store, it is stealing. Don't think that you'd do that. Honesty has its rewards, and sometimes it's free stuff.

Lynne

Veteran

From the retailers perspective, it's always good to resolve an issue ie what went wrong with the first ? Just knowing that it turned up will make someone feel great, regardless of the outcome.

Steph

Veteran

I would call as well. Be sure to mention that the bra has already been altered (ups your chances of them telling you to keep it for free). Check your credit card statement as well, to make sure you weren't inadvertently charged for both bras.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

It looks like it's unanimous! I'd call, too.

Louise

Veteran

I'd keep your mouth shut and thank your lucky stars for the freebie. I'd make sure you do something nice for someone else though to keep the good karma flowing x

Anonymous

Call and tell them. They will probably thank you for your honesty and tell you to keep it.

Gaylene

Veteran

One of the ethics tests that we discuss in my management class is the "publicity" test. Would you feel embarrassed if whatever you were contemplating was found out by others, especially people whose respect and trust are important to you?

If I'd be embarrassed or defensive about what I've done, then I know I'm on slippery ground.

lynne

Veteran

Lynne had a good point about the retailer's perspective. They'll probably tell you to keep it, you'll rack up good kharma points, and the retailer will be able to track down the problem.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I just had the same thing happen with a JCrew order. They sent me one wrong item in the initial shipment, so I returned it to a store and was over-nighted the correct item. I was also slow mailed the right item. I haven't had a chance to take it back, but I plan to.
Since it wasn't a customized item, I know the store will want it back. But the bra might be different. If it were me, I'd call.

Isis

Veteran

No question, call. It doesn't seem right to take an advantage of an honest mistake on their part.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm another karma person and would call.

Debbie

Veteran

I would call.

Darla

(website)

Call. As much as a pain as it is to call, ya gotta. It's just the right thing to do.

Auburn

Veteran

Uh oh. This post is WAY too timely for comfort as I experienced almost exactly the same thing last week.
I went into Tory Burch and was told that they were doing a Friends & Family special that day (25% off everything, incl. sale). I bought a number of things and also wanted 2 items that were on sale but not available at the store in my size. The sales associate rang me up for the items I purchased in the store and then found the two other items at other stores and said she would have them sent directly to me and that I would be charged separately for them.
Last week, the dress I ordered arrived and I was dismayed to see that it had a small hole in the back. I knew I would take it back but was disappointed by the quality and because I had wanted to wear it that week for an event. Also, it came without any sort of invoice or receipt which I found a bit odd.
The next day (or maybe 2 days later), the same exact dress came from a different Tory Burch store but, again, no charge receipt included. I quickly checked my credit card online and discovered I had been charged once.
I did go into the store that week to return the damaged item and the clerk told me that she tracks all "send orders" so knew it had arrived and was sorry it wasn't up to par in terms of quality. I thought that meant she would likely know that a 2nd had been sent, but she made no mention of it.
My credit card was promptly refunded and so now I have a dress that I didn't pay for--I'm not sure where the glitch was in terms of sending me a 2nd dress without charging me but certainly not on my end.
My boyfriend's take is that I'm such a loyal customer (as he says, I probably wear more Tory Burch than...Tory Burch herself), it's not a big deal.
I am a believer in karma and want to do the right thing, particularly if the missing dress messes up inventory to the detriment of the sales associate in my local store. But, at this point, I'm not sure how to make the call without also incriminating myself for not having been up front when I returned the damaged dress--perhaps I can say I was out of town and it just arrived?
Or is it better to let sleeping dogs lie on this one??

Isis

Veteran

Auburn,

It really is a similar situation! So same advice, make the call. It sounds confusing enough that you probably didn't even realize you hadn't been charged for both dresses, there won't be eyebrows raised. You'll feel better for doing the right thing.

KristineK

For Auburn -- I agree w/ Isis. I think chances are good that they'll be so grateful when you do call or come in that it won't even occur to them to think about why it took as long as it did. Better late than never

Steph

Veteran

Auburn, I don't think you'll be incriminating yourself at all. You don't even need to bring up the other dress, and if it comes up you can just say you didn't realize you hadn't been charged. I know that I don't check my credit card statement daily (or weekly...or monthly...), so that's not so strange.

The one problem in situations like this is that sometimes the store ends up getting confused and everything turns into more trouble than it's worth. That has happened to me before--I'll say "oh, you didn't charge me for x," and the salesperson gets confused and the whole thing snowballs and I curse myself for even trying. That's not to say you shouldn't try, but if it ends up becoming a huge hassle with the salespeople, at some point I think you can let it go.

Auburn

Veteran

Ok, ok, 3 unanimous responses was enough.
I called the store; the woman I had worked with wasn't in so I spoke with another associate and explained the whole situation. He basically said that I should bring it in and they would try and figure it out in the store since I'm not sure what store it came from (I threw away the original packaging but have not worn the dress).
So...we shall see. I guess hoping for a "just keep it" via phone was overly optimistic, but I'm still hoping that they'll do something other than simply charging my card for the full amount of the dress...Stay tuned!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Why would they charge you the full amount? They should keep to the sales price. I probably would have let the return go through as well, in case there was a pending charge that just hadn't cleared my card yet. I would call your credit card company and see if this is the case.

Linn

Maya - I'm on the 'call them' side. Best wishes.

Beth

Veteran

Call them:)