Ethical Dilema...What would you do????

[ckofer]

Originally Posted by Dr Skimeister

Have you ever performed a service in your practice that didn't get invoiced? If so, did the client come back and point out the error?

I've had clients do it.

My answer: I would not make a special trip for it but I would take the kids for the return. The 2.5 yr old may not grasp it but the 4.5 yr old probably will. This can be a valuable ethics lesson for the kids.

[drjeff]

Originally Posted by Dr Skimeister

Have you ever performed a service in your practice that didn't get invoiced? If so, did the client come back and point out the error?

Good point Doc! I'm SURE though that my wonderfull front desk staff has NEVER EVER forgotton to bill for something (Your's too I'm guessing)

[drjeff]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

This is an interesting quiz because it invites cognitive dissonance in which some folks may say that they would do the "right thing" hypothetically but in reality may "not get around to it" or "unintentionally forget about it" or something along those lines.

I think it would depend on the value of the item and perhaps my relationship with a given retailer to be honest. If it was a $3 water filter from Walmart as part of a bigger purchase, I would probably just shrug that one off as cashier error. If it was a significant purchase, I probably would seek out the retailer by telephone and ask them what they wanted me to do. For a pair of socks, it wouldn't be worth my while for their error.

For reference sake, the socks were $5.95 a pair and the shirt was $39.99, and I still paid REI almost $100 for the other items I bought, but my golfer's warehouse bill was just over $20 for the golf balls.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

It depends..I've been given change back for a $20 even though I paid with a $10..if it's a little mom and pop store..I'm honest about it but if it's at Wal-mart or something I let it go..At an un-named ski area..I was given $10 too much cash back when I paid with a $100 and I just let it go..

[Warp Daddy]

Do the right thing if you believe honesty is the best policy and you want to give your kids a great example - BTW U can AFFORD it Doc

[drjeff]

Originally Posted by Warp Daddy

Do the right thing if you believe honesty is the best policy and you want to give your kids a great example - BTW U can AFFORD it Doc

No according to my wife

BTW, I'll post what I did/didn't do tommorrow afternoon.

Also for reference sake with our current gas prices, the stores where I made the purchases are roughly a 45 minute drive each way from my house in an area where I hadn't been to shop since Christmas time.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Originally Posted by drjeff

No according to my wife

BTW, I'll post what I did/didn't do tommorrow afternoon.

Also for reference sake with our current gas prices, the stores where I made the purchases are roughly a 45 minute drive each way from my house in an area where I hadn't been to shop since Christmas time.

You can always mail them the money..

[wa-loaf]

Originally Posted by drjeff

No according to my wife

BTW, I'll post what I did/didn't do tommorrow afternoon.

Also for reference sake with our current gas prices, the stores where I made the purchases are roughly a 45 minute drive each way from my house in an area where I hadn't been to shop since Christmas time.

You can just call them up and read the sku #'s to them and charge it over the phone.

[deadheadskier]

hmmm, would depend on the value of the item and the time needed to rectify the situation. The right thing to do ethically would obviously be to return to the store. In the same regard, the right thing for the store to do would be to offer a discount on the items equivalent to the cost of your time and gas used in returning to the store. The latter probably never happens.

I've never had this come up except for when I notice it at the check out aisle in which case I always point out the cashiers error.

This story reminds me of back when I was a little kid and would go grocery shopping with my mother and great grandfather. He grew up in the depression and was very frugal because of it. He'd bring a calculator with him and add up the receipt just to be sure the store wasn't taking more money from him than the items actually cost.

[ctenidae]

There may be an entertainment benefit to trying to explain what you're doing. While they should have charged you for the socks and the shirt, I'm sure you'll find that dumb looks are, in fact, still free.