Ethical Question?

[Gombessa]

I once read that there isn't enough soap manufactured in the world for the number of baths/showers people say they take. For all the moral pronouncements, I wonder how many people would take the opportunity to stick it to the big, faceless big-box retailer corporation if they got hassled or wronged in one of the stores.

 

[DandyDon]

I once read that there isn't enough soap manufactured in the world for the number of baths/showers people say they take. For all the moral pronouncements, I wonder how many people would take the opportunity to stick it to the big, faceless big-box retailer corporation if they got hassled or wronged in one of the stores.

Well, many managers and return clerks at my local store know me, and I probably do push returns more than most, but there are other stores for the same chain not too far away - and I wouldn't do this to them.

Besides, with item codes, serial numbers, and even units made for Walmart - I think they'd know. (All of my laptops have had WM at the end of their serial numbers.)

I think he also exposed that he can get a cheaper package from his LDS if he waits, and why he wants to be dishonest.

Buy it at one or what for it at the other, but keep the one you buy. BTW, look at SquareTrade.com for extended warranties that cover physical and liquid damage. There is a waiting period before the protection kicks in tho, so wouldn't cover this trip.

 

[Mike]

So I have an ethical question, regarding a purchase of a GoPro.

I love to support my LDS, though they have not got their shipment of Black GoPros . The LDs is even throwing in some extras if I buy a GoPro from them.

The problem is I leave for Belize tomorrow at 6am. I already purchased a Cyan filter for the Hero3 and a 32GB Class MicroSD card (got the card from the Big box store).

Would it be wrong to buy the GoPro camera from a big box store, which currently has it in stock. Then buy one from my LDS when it gets in stock and return the one I got from the LDS (unopened) to the big box store?

-Hostage

Of course it is, it's illegal also.

Do you really need to ask this question? I find it hard to believe you didn't know the answer already.

 

[DandyDon]

I think he is out shopping. Have a good trip. ilot:

 

[flots am]

Guys, he's not asking whether he should cancel his order with the LDS and buy it from the big box store instead. He's asking if he should buy one from the big box store now, use it, and when the LDS delivers the one he originally ordered, return that one unopened to the big box store for a refund.

The question is irrelevant since it's not possible to do it. The cameras have serial numbers and the big box store won't take the wrong camera back.

flots.

 

[ivakdiver]

Flots AM sums it up. All those bars and codes on the package along with the serial number will make it an embarrassing problem for trying to pull a fast one. Also, I heard, there are scams going about where a person returns a seemingly unopened consumer product for a refund and the store later finds out the box is weighted but missing the product.
Honesty is the best policy.

 

[oly5050user]

I understand that there is /was a back order for the product as we have been waiting for an order that was placed some time ago for inventory at the lds that I teach out of and has yet to be delivered.So maybe we get delivery this week in time for Christmas sales..as for the lds selling it for less ,or including accessories in sale,than the box store,that is the lds choice. As I understand it that there is very little markup on this product.Do not know yet what wholesale or retail cost is yet as we do not have it in inventory.But my understanding from store manager is that we will carry it more as a convience for our customers than a profit center..

 

[nimoh]

everything has a serial number ala upc number

A UPC is not a serial number it is a "product" code. In other words, all black go pros of the same generation have identical UPCs. It is very easy to verify this, if you don't believe me.

A serial number is unique for each individual item, usually not encoded as a bar code. However, I doubt the serial number would be recorded by the store unless an extended warranty is purchased.

So, although I think the scam proposed by the OP would work, I think it is unethical.

 

[Gombessa]

Typical return procedure is to check the serial number on the box and ensure that it matches the one affixed to the product. They're looking for a match, not checking against an inventory database (and unique product serials are never recorded on sale or put on the receipt for these smaller purchases). Doing this of course means they open the package to ensure the product and accessories are inside; they'll even tear open shrink-wrapped products.

Also, kinda hard to pull off the "brick in a box" scam with GoPros, since they ship in a clear display case.

 

[DandyDon]

I think he is halfway to Belize now.