A couple of weeks ago I purchased a new chair from Staples for my receptionist since it was on sale and she really needed one. I charged it to Am Ex. I got my bill yesterday and I had a $68 credit from Staples. I call them to see why and they said that it was for the chair which had been returned to the warehouse. I told them that as far as I knew, my receptionist was currently sitting in the chair. She told me that I should double check that we had not returned or exchanged it and then call her back so that she could remove the credit and charge me for the chair. I asked what they would do if I didn’t call back and she said “I guess we wouldn’t be able to do anything as our records have the chair being returned to the warehouse”. I checked with the staff who confirmed that the chair currently occupied by my receptionist was indeed the one from Staples which was perfectly satisfactory and did not need to be returned.
Now the dilemma-do I do nothing and enjoy my free chair or do I call back and ask them to charge me the $68?
I called back. I just couldn’t accept the chair without paying for it. Damn you ethical upbringing!
I would have done the same thing. Now, if the Staples person hadn’t given the option and insisted things were correct, I would not have escalated it, though, and taken the credit.
Honestly, that was pretty dumb of you (to call back a second time, not the first time). I know you want to pat yourself on the back for “doing the right thing” and there will be other people along to do the same. But if they are that insistent on fucking up it is not your obligation to correct them.
Staples wanted to get rid of the damn chair in the first place so the put it on sale. It costs money to change billing from a credit to a charge. You have exposed yourself to additional mistakes by Staples. You should have shrugged it off and never called but now that you have called, follow through.
