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

[mondeo]

Interesting look into ethics here. I am particularly fascinated by the issue of it being a higher ethical precedent to due it because of the kids but if there were no kids to impress an ethical lessons on many people would say cashiers error and keep the goods. Remove the kids from the situation and the ethical conclusion essentially is cashier error--do not return goods to store for purchase which means it is only being done because it is a convenient lesson for the kids. You have to wonder how the kids would appreciate the situation if they had known the motives. (???)

Do we base our ethics on our own internal beliefs, the situation, or on value calls and judgments about other people and things? A lot of arguments are being made in this thread based on external issues rather than internal ethical values. Not saying there is anything wrong with that but just making an observation.

The reason I'd think he kids might complicate the issue is that there are nuances in the situation ethically; it's in that whole gray area. If the older one is 4 1/2, will he pick up on those nuances? Maybe, maybe not. Those of you that are parents would have a better idea, but for the sake of argument, I'll say not. So you're back to a black and white example for the kids. At which point, which side do you want to err on? Again, you learn a lot being a parent (so I understand,) so maybe I should just stay out of this one.

 

[bill2ski]

This is neither, an ethical or financial dilemma.
If you had not noticed, you would be otherwise unaffected.
Ignorance is Bliss
There is no argument that compels you to act in any other manor.
Assume, if you will, for the benefit of your conscience, the store gave you free samples. Feel a liberty to write a product review and E-mail it to the retailer. Don't forget to thank them for the great customer service. They will probably send you a coupon for a 30 % discount on your next purchase.

 

[David Metsky]

There is no argument that compels you to act in any other manor.

Sure there is. It's called doing the right thing. It's what you would want others to do if the situation was reversed.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Perhaps look at it like this....
If you had gotten home and upon examining the receipts you realized you had been charged twice for the socks and the golf shirt, would you shlep the 45 min each way to claim reimbursement for the charges?

 

[drjeff]

Perhaps look at it like this....
If you had gotten home and upon examining the receipts you realized you had been charged twice for the socks and the golf shirt, would you shlep the 45 min each way to claim reimbursement for the charges?

All this factored into what I did or didn't do(and Sunday PM for that matter), I'll keep this ethics debate going until later this afternoon before I post as Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story"

 

[drjeff]

Oops, just realized I forgot to post what I did last night, things got a little busy last yesterday afternoon.

Anyway, here's what I did. Since I was seeing my mother last Sunday, but won't be seeing her this Sunday for Mother's Day since she'll be back in Florida, I figured that I need to deal with her present, the golf shirt, before I gave it to her.

What I did was I call up both stores last Sunday and asked to speak with the manager reguarding a billing issue. I explained what I had found when I looked at my receipt, and the scenario at the checkout of both stores. Both manager's told me that they appreciated my honesty and told me to keep the items free of charge, even though I offered to give them the SKU #'s of the socks and the shirt and my Mastercard #. Nice customer service move on there part IMHO, and since I'm already a member of each places basically frequent buyer program, I was going to be giving them more business in the future anyway.

I explained things to my 4 year old, who didn't quite grasp the entire concept, since when my Mother opened her gift, my daughter's words were "Nana, Daddy got you this shirt and didn't pay for it!" Oh the things kid's say sometimes

 

[Warp Daddy]

Oops, just realized I forgot to post what I did last night, things got a little busy last yesterday afternoon.



What I did was I call up both stores last Sunday and asked to speak with the manager reguarding a billing issue. I explained what I had found when I looked at my receipt, and the scenario at the checkout of both stores. Both manager's told me that they appreciated my honesty and told me to keep the items free of charge, even though I offered to give them the SKU #'s of the socks and the shirt and my Mastercard #. Nice customer service move on there part IMHO, and since I'm already a member of each places basically frequent buyer program, I was going to be giving them more business in the future anyway.



GOOD for you DOC !!!!!!!!!!!!!! and great Customer service by them !!

 

[David Metsky]

Excellent resolution.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Oops, just realized I forgot to post what I did last night, things got a little busy last yesterday afternoon.

Anyway, here's what I did. Since I was seeing my mother last Sunday, but won't be seeing her this Sunday for Mother's Day since she'll be back in Florida, I figured that I need to deal with her present, the golf shirt, before I gave it to her.

What I did was I call up both stores last Sunday and asked to speak with the manager reguarding a billing issue. I explained what I had found when I looked at my receipt, and the scenario at the checkout of both stores. Both manager's told me that they appreciated my honesty and told me to keep the items free of charge, even though I offered to give them the SKU #'s of the socks and the shirt and my Mastercard #. Nice customer service move on there part IMHO, and since I'm already a member of each places basically frequent buyer program, I was going to be giving them more business in the future anyway.

I explained things to my 4 year old, who didn't quite grasp the entire concept, since when my Mother opened her gift, my daughter's words were "Nana, Daddy got you this shirt and didn't pay for it!" Oh the things kid's say sometimes

Nice and a golf shirt as a mothers day gift..come on Dr. you can do better than that..

 

[severine]

I think you made the right choice. Oftentimes you'll find you're even rewarded in ways you wouldn't have expected for doing the right thing.

 

[andyzee]

AndyZee is going to get the ACLU on your ass...and the Costco receipt checkers..lol..

That's it laugh away your liberties, see if I care.

 

[drjeff]

Nice and a golf shirt as a mothers day gift..come on Dr. you can do better than that..

Hey, there was also a dozen golf balls too Seriously though my mother is the type of person that has just about everything she wants, and if she doesn't, goes out and gets it herself, quickly. The better present last Sunday for her was spending time with her grandkids..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Hey, there was also a dozen golf balls too Seriously though my mother is the type of person that has just about everything she wants, and if she doesn't, goes out and gets it herself, quickly. The better present last Sunday for her was spending time with her grandkids..

I need to get my Mom a mothers day gift..On Saturday my Dad and me are taking my Mom and Grandma out for brunch..we're celebrating mothers day a day early to avoid the mob scenes..

 

[Dr Skimeister]

New golf rule has to go into effect....

No mulligans if you're wearing a free golf shirt.

 

[drjeff]

New golf rule has to go into effect....

No mulligans if you're wearing a free golf shirt.

Does the world famous if you don't hit it past the ladies tee, you need to play the hole with your fly down still apply if you're wearing a free golf shirt????

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

New golf rule has to go into effect....

No mulligans if you're wearing a free golf shirt.

ahahahahaha...when I play with my Dad and his buddies..we always get a mulligan on the first hole(breakfast ball) and that's it..

 

[severine]

It's like you guys are speaking gibberish.... :blink:

 

[drjeff]

It's like you guys are speaking gibberish.... :blink:

It would be like if you hijacked a discussion and started talking about shoes or purses or some of those other things that you gals like to talk about that the vast majority of straight men really could care less about!

Now go and finish gettting ready for A-Basin and those female intensive conversations you'll more than likely be involved in out there uke:

 

[severine]

It would be like if you hijacked a discussion and started talking about shoes or purses or some of those other things that you gals like to talk about that the vast majority of straight men really could care less about!

Now go and finish gettting ready for A-Basin and those female intensive conversations you'll more than likely be involved in out there uke:

Bah! Stereotypes! I don't discuss shoes and purses!

I'm just about ready for Abasin. I'll be bringing the computer and should have internet access so I can update daily.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Bah! Stereotypes! I don't discuss shoes and purses!

I'm just about ready for Abasin. I'll be bringing the computer and should have internet access so I can update daily.

When do you leave for A-basin??