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Confession time. I'm posting this here (avoiding a lengthy letter to The Ethicist) in the hopes that someone out there will absolve me of my sins against commercialism and the betterment of our national economy.
A few weeks ago, I purchased a rather expensive book online at Amazon.com, where it was offered for $29.99 instead of its far less feasible $49.99 list price. Add some sales tax on there and I spent roughly $32, warily exposing my Visa card to the cyber-elements.
As prompted by Amazon, I trek over to the local Borders store, receipt in hand, to pick up my long-desired new book. A grim, multi-pierced clerk with no more than 16 years on this planet graciously hands me my book housed in a plastic bag to protect it from pesky drops of water falling from the sky. I cheerfully and lovingly transport my new book home, where I begin perusing it straight away.
The following day, I receive an email from Amazon, gently reminding me to pick up my purchase at Borders. I delete it, figuring Borders simply had not yet alerted Amazon to the fact that I had, indeed, picked up the book.
Amazon continues its daily automated emails, urging me to retrieve this item for which they had so hastily charged my credit card. Eventually, I am informed that since I had neglected to pick up the book, my precious $32 had been refunded.
Now I feel guilty (only slightly), but honestly, is it my fault the pubescent lad at Borders neglected to inform Amazon that they'd surrended the book? Or have I permanently endangered the good karma I've toiled for years to accrue?
Posted by ayelet at March 1, 2005 11:22 AMLOL@ Jackie, and totally agree with rhubarbpie.
My mother sent Craig stuff overseas via Amazon that it took forever to get refunded for because they screwed up his mailing address. Honestly.. if you TRIED to fix this, it'd probably take an act of God to freaking make it all work out properly (like you'd get double-charged or something) and you'd wish you never bothered.
Totally agree with rhubarb chickie.. donate $30 to UNICEF or something if you're feeling guilty. Amazon doesn't need your money, they didn't even apologize to my mother for screwing up a shipment to someone serving overseas.
Posted by: Aviva at March 2, 2005 04:13 PMEthically, you should inform them. But no, it's not your fault, and it seems like it's less important than lying about weapons of mass destruction or sending people to Syria to be tortured.
(sorry, I'm being a bit of a one-note crank lately.)
Posted by: Vidiot at March 2, 2005 12:51 PMI wouldn't worry about it -- it's easier for their bookkeeping anyway to have just refunded you the money. And it wasn't your fault. You could donate the money to a worthwhile cause if you wanted to feel better.
Posted by: rhubarbpie at March 2, 2005 07:25 AMAmazon being a red store, consider it $32 less that they can contribute to the Republican party, and go on your merry way.
Posted by: Jackie at March 1, 2005 01:04 PM