Challenges to my ethics today

[alamostation]

First time: I was in a local grocery store at the deli counter. I was next in line with another white guy behind me. The person in front of me was getting a quarter pound of everything they had, so the guy serving her was tied up. The other worker was a Mexican woman. When she was done with her current customer, she asked the Mexican guy two people behind me if she could help him and took care of him. After that she picked out a Mexican woman about fifth in line to help. I left the deli area and complained to the manager. After checking out, I found that I got a bag of the previous customer's groceries.

Second time: I went to the Home Depot closest to home. Last time there, someone hit my 1987 MR2 which was somewhat cherry causing $600 of damage and left without leaving any note. Home Depot did not have any parking lot surveillance cameras. Tonight I bought a pair of expensive tools along with a few small accessories. The cashier asked me if I wanted extended warrantees on both of the expensive items, which I declined. The total came up to alot less than I had figured. Out in the parking lot, I found that I wasn't charged for one of the expensive tools.

I like to think that I am very honest, but my immediate reaction and what I am still thinking is fu## them both and keep what I got.

[elchivito]

Some people call it Karma. Just pay it forward.

[R Leo]

That Hispanic woman working at the deli probably didn't speak a lick of 'Merkin...LOL!

You probably should return those groceries but, I do believe that if I managed a market and someone returned a bag of groceries to me under those circumstances, I'd thank them profusely and after they left, walk straight to the dumpster and *****can the whole lot. No point in adding to your risk by restocking groceries that you have no idea where they've been.

And, go back to HD and pay for the tool. What's right to do here isn't that hard to figure out...anyway, HD didn't dent your car, a customer probably did. Why should HD have to give it up?

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by R Leo

That Hispanic woman working at the deli probably didn't speak a lick of 'Merkin...LOL!

You probably should return those groceries but, I do believe that if I managed a market and someone returned a bag of groceries to me under those circumstances, I'd thank them profusely and after they left, walk straight to the dumpster and *****can the whole lot. No point in adding to your risk by restocking groceries that you have no idea where they've been.

And, go back to HD and pay for the tool. What's right to do here isn't that hard to figure out...anyway, HD didn't dent your car, a customer probably did. Why should HD have to give it up?

RLeo is right on here. I agree 100%. pay for the tool (and you retain your self respect). the groceries i agree not to worry about them.

[Pooka]

Honesty is its' own reward.

[elchivito]

I guess it's my Home Depot prejudice at work. I abhor that place, and often feel they have coming any losses they incur due to the quality of help they hire and the way they treat their employees.

[lutzTD]

if you have to ask, perhaps its already decided

[MS Fowler]

Do you want honesty, or rationalization?
Either can be provided.

[Yak]

Originally Posted by alamostation

First time: I was in a local grocery store at the deli counter. I was next in line with another white guy behind me. The person in front of me was getting a quarter pound of everything they had, so the guy serving her was tied up. The other worker was a Mexican woman. When she was done with her current customer, she asked the Mexican guy two people behind me if she could help him and took care of him. After that she picked out a Mexican woman about fifth in line to help. I left the deli area and complained to the manager. After checking out, I found that I got a bag of the previous customer's groceries.

Second time: I went to the Home Depot closest to home. Last time there, someone hit my 1987 MR2 which was somewhat cherry causing $600 of damage and left without leaving any note. Home Depot did not have any parking lot surveillance cameras. Tonight I bought a pair of expensive tools along with a few small accessories. The cashier asked me if I wanted extended warrantees on both of the expensive items, which I declined. The total came up to alot less than I had figured. Out in the parking lot, I found that I wasn't charged for one of the expensive tools.

I like to think that I am very honest, but my immediate reaction and what I am still thinking is fu## them both and keep what I got.

Make your own call. The store can't track down the groceries' "rightful owner" and returning them would probably be silly. The person ahead of you in line who paid for the groceries had nothing to do with the clerk who gave you bad service. The SA food bank can use the food or a cash in-kind donation.

The tool was more than likely oversight and may result in unintended consequences: you may try to take the receipt and pay for the tool, and result in a cashier getting in trouble. Or maybe the manager says "keep it..."

[450slcguy]

Just keep the damn tool and move on. As long as it was their mistake and you had no devious intentions, enjoy your "store discount".

I had a similar experience recenty at HD. I was walking down the lumber isle one day and noticed a display of 1x1 pressure treated wood ground stakes. Having just planted my tomato plants, i thought they would be excellent supports when the plants get big. The stakes were bundled together in packs of 12 and the large sign above them read .99 Cents. I couldn't resist at the price. So I go to the self service checkout line and scan the bundle. Scanner rang up .99 cents and I checked out. What a deal I'm thinking. I got home and realized each stake had a seperate bar code sticker on them. They were suppose to .99 each, not .99 a bundle. The sign should have stated .99 each, or better yet $11.88 a bundle as that as how they were packaged. Did I feel guilty? Hell no, it was an honest mistake on my part that was perpertrated by a misleading price sign.

[thorsen]

On the bright side, at least you know how much you're willing to sell your integrity for.

[Jorn]

Originally Posted by 450slcguy

Just keep the damn tool and move on. As long as it was their mistake and you had no devious intentions, enjoy your "store discount".

I agree: sometimes it's good to be bad, just hope the girl doesn't get fired.


Guilt trip.

[kip Foss]

Remember, no good deed goes unpunished.

[MTUpower]

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught. "

~J.C. Watts

Speak up immediately to the "mexican" and tell them in this country we are civilized and civilized people wait in line. Go ahead and be forceful if needed: you are clearly in the right about this and f*ck the PC crowd. Return the food.

Speak up ASAP (IE in the parking lot) and go back and return the tool to the manager and show them the receipt and then pay for it- it's the right thing to do.

Our society- and thus our planet's well being- depends on this. You can be a part of the problem or a part of the solution: your choice determines which.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by elchivito

Some people call it Karma. Just pay it forward.

Pay it immediately, not later "forward".