ETHICAL CRISIS - i got sent a free 17" MP...

[BenK01]

There is no ethical crisis here. Call Apple and tell them that they sent you the wrong product. If they let you keep it, fine. If they replace the product with what you ordered, fine.

The only question is what your personal integrity is worth. More than a few hundred dollars? I hope so.

 

[Peace]

I agree that you should report this mix-up to Apple. NOT applecare either

Call the order place and tell them what you got.

I am going to make a guess here though.

I "think" they will tell you that you got a nice MBP for the price of a MB.

This does NOT mean you shouldn't come clean with Apple though.

 

[quagmire]

Woah, I've done nothing wrong. IMO, taking advantage of a mistake isn't theft, espeically since the OP still paid for the computer anyway, just a lower price than he/she usually would have for the machine they got.

He paid for a computer that is valued less then the product he received. The law will still have an issue with that. It's like me paying $20,000 for a car that is worth $50,000. I would expect the car to get repossessed because I didn't pay in full. He didn't pay in full for a 17" MBP.

And let's face it, anyone in a situation like the OP is in won't go to jail for not saying.

He won't unless if Apple calls and says they made a mistake and he decides to pull your defense of, " You made the mistake so I can keep it. You're a big corporation with money, you can absorb the loss." That is when he may find himself going to court and your defense won't hold up......

 

[miccc83]

So you're fine with the rest of us absorbing the cost for keeping a product you didn't pay for( you paid for a MB, not a MBP).

I really do hate the rationalization people do in order to justify keeping something that isn't theirs......

Why so defensive? They would do the same no matter how many losses they have, when they're dealing with so many products, and products of such expense, they have to put a margin there regardless to cover they're backs.

 

[AppleMatt]

All the more reason to keep it I say.

And anyway, if I accedently dropped my iPhone into your pocket and didn't realise, you still wouldn't have stolen it.

This is a dreadful analogy. This situation is about buying and knowledge. You're talking about dropping and not knowing etc. Dreadful.

Why so defensive?

I can't see how was that post was defensive in any way. Why did you call it defensive?

There’s no ‘dilemma’ here. Tell Apple. It’s the right thing to do. I can't believe you've actually asked for advice on this.

AppleMatt

 

[0dev]

He paid for a computer that is valued less then the product he received. The law will still have an issue with that. It's like me paying $20,000 for a car that is worth $50,000. I would expect the car to get repossessed because I didn't pay in full. He didn't pay in full for a 17" MBP.

I still don't get how either situation is "theft".

He won't unless if Apple calls and says they made a mistake and he decides to pull your defense of, " You made the mistake so I can keep it. You're a big corporation with money, you can absorb the loss." That is when he may find himself going to court and your defense won't hold up......

My argument was never that he should refuse to return it to Apple if they rung him, though.

And though the big business thing isn't a legal defence, I believe the original question was about ethics, and it is important from an ethtical view.

This is my final post on the matter, arguments like this are needlessly stressful and will only end up going nowhere for ages. We've both made our opinions clear.

 

[ouimetnick]

Apple is the one who screwed up here. Just like with the prototype iPhone. I'm suprised the idiot at the wearhouse thinks a MacBook is the same as a 17" MacBook Pro. I would keep it because apparently Apple hires employees that can't even do their job properly.

 

[Mexbearpig]

Woah, I've done nothing wrong. IMO, taking advantage of a mistake isn't theft, espeically since the OP still paid for the computer anyway, just a lower price than he/she usually would have for the machine they got.
As for the prototype iPhone, I believe Apple was wrong to launch a criminal investigation against the Gizmodo editor, especially since the guy who found it did call up Apple, but that's a different matter entirely.

The OP paid for a different computer than what he got.

And let's face it, anyone in a situation like the OP is in won't go to jail for not saying.

Saying "I couldn't tell the difference between 13"and 17"" Isn't a good defense.

As for the prototype iPhone, I believe Apple was wrong to launch a criminal investigation against the Gizmodo editor, especially since the guy who found it did call up Apple, but that's a different matter entirely.

I don't think it is. Gray Powell made a mistake and the guy made $5,000 off that mistake. Still theft IMHO.

 

[quagmire]

Why so defensive? They would do the same no matter how many losses they have, when they're dealing with so many products, and products of such expense, they have to put a margin there regardless to cover they're backs.

The margin would be smaller if people like you wouldn't try to justify their actions......

I am beginning to question why you opened this thread. So far nearly every post has been some kind of rationalizing and justifying ways for you to not feel bad about keeping a machine you didn't pay for in full.

 

[ouimetnick]

The OP paid for a different computer than what he got.

Saying "I couldn't tell the difference between 13"and 17"" Isn't a good defense.

I don't think it is. Gray Powell made a mistake and the guy made $5,000 off that mistake. Still theft IMHO.

The OP got a differnent computer because Apple employees dnt know the difference between a 13" plastic computer and a 17" amuninum with price difference of over 1.2K. The OP didn't steal. Apple ****ed up. Apple also ****ed up by trusting a million dollar prototype with a drunk employee. I'm a fan of SOME of Apple's gadgets. But not the way the company runs or it's LOYAL protective fanbase. And the last comment is directed at everybody who defends Apple's crazy decisions.

 

[quagmire]

The OP got a differnent computer because Apple employees dnt know the difference between a 13" plastic computer and a 17" amuninum with price difference of over 1.2K. The OP didn't steal. Apple ****ed up. Apple also ****ed up by trusting a million dollar prototype with a drunk employee. I'm a fan of SOME of Apple's gadgets. But not the way the company runs or it's LOYAL protective fanbase. And the last comment is directed at everybody who defends Apple's crazy decisions.

Let's say you bought my original iPhone for $10( as I bet they aren't worth much these days. ), but I accidentally sent you my 3G iPhone that is worth $50 lets say. Would you blame me for the mistake and not inform me or return my 3G to me if I requested it back to correct the transaction?

 

[ouimetnick]

Let's say you bought my original iPhone for $10( as I bet they aren't worth much these days. ), but I accidentally sent you my 3G iPhone that is worth $50 lets say. Would you blame me for the mistake and not inform me or return my 3G to me if I requested it back to correct the transaction?

If you requested it back, yes i would send it back. But if you didn't, oh well. Make sure you double check and make sure you send the correct merchandise.

 

[spinnerlys]

If you requested it back, yes i would send it back. But if you didn't, oh well. Make sure you double check and make sure you send the correct merchandise.

So in other words: it is okay to profit from mistakes made by others?

 

[ouimetnick]

So in other words: it is okay to profit from mistakes made by others?

Well if a 50 billion dollar company can't hire employees smart enough to know the difference between a 13" screen and a 17" screen, then yes.

 

[quagmire]

Well if a 50 billion dollar company can't hire employees smart enough to know the difference between a 13" screen and a 17" screen, then yes.

You have a lot to learn when it comes to the real world and ethics. At 14, I would take advantage of it and learn young and possibly avoid legal trouble......

 

[ValSalva]

I'd call Apple too. But since it is Apple's mistake you could make it seem like it would be big inconvenience for you to have send it back.

You could call Apple saying it was ordered as a family computer. Could say your wife opened it not knowing what exactly you ordered. You were away on business when it arrived. Say she transferred all your data and spent a lot of time installing apps. You came home and immediately noticed. What do I do now?

It might tilt the odds more in your favor of them letting you keep it. But if you plan on selling it you should not do this. If that's the case you are looking to directly profit from their mistake and that doesn't seem right. You could ask Apple directly: "can I keep it?"

Not calling at all is wrong.

 

[ouimetnick]

I'd call Apple too. But since it is Apple's mistake you could make it seem like it would be big inconvenience for you to have send it back.

You could call Apple saying it was ordered as a family computer. Could say your wife opened it not knowing what exactly you ordered. You were away on business when it arrived. Say she transferred all your data and spent a lot of time installing apps. You came home and immediately noticed. What do I do now?

It might tilt the odds more in your favor of them letting you keep it. But if you plan on selling it you should not do this. If that's the case you are looking to directly profit from their mistake and that doesn't seem right. You could ask Apple directly: "can I keep it?"

Not calling at all is wrong.

i like your idea.

 

[spinnerlys]

Well if a 50 billion dollar company can't hire employees smart enough to know the difference between a 13" screen and a 17" screen, then yes.

So the size and the value (the money they have in stock) is the deciding factor on how smart they should be? So Shell and Allianz and BP should make less mistakes than Apple, who is on place 253 on the following list?

Thus the grocery store at the next corner can make as much mistakes as they want?

Your logic is flawed. But maybe I'm too young to see it and haven't been raised in a capitalistic society.

Telling the OP to lie.

Wow.

 

[0098386]

If I was sent something by a giant company with the profits that Apple have, yea I'd keep it. If I was sent something by mistake by a small company, one losing money or an individual of course it's going right back.

Apple already once tried to burn my house down. I figure they owe me.

 

[quagmire]

I'd call Apple too. But since it is Apple's mistake you could make it seem like it would be big inconvenience for you to have send it back.

You could call Apple saying it was ordered as a family computer. Could say your wife opened it not knowing what exactly you ordered. You were away on business when it arrived. Say she transferred all your data and spent a lot of time installing apps. You came home and immediately noticed. What do I do now?

It might tilt the odds more in your favor of them letting you keep it. But if you plan on selling it you should not do this. If that's the case you are looking to directly profit from their mistake and that doesn't seem right. You could ask Apple directly: "can I keep it?"

Not calling at all is wrong.

And that is another ethical matter all in its own.......

If I was sent something by a giant company with the profits that Apple have, yea I'd keep it. If I was sent something by mistake by a small company, one losing money or an individual of course it's going right back.

Apple already once tried to burn my house down. I figure they owe me.

How did they try to burn your house down? Was it the battery issue( Sony's fault there) or a faulty magsafe?

Again, it doesn't matter small or large. It isn't right to keep something that isn't truly yours and was sent by mistake.

 

[0098386]

I've been in both replacement programs.

 

[Mexbearpig]

The OP got a differnent computer because Apple employees dnt know the difference between a 13" plastic computer and a 17" amuninum with price difference of over 1.2K. The OP didn't steal. Apple ****ed up. Apple also ****ed up by trusting a million dollar prototype with a drunk employee. I'm a fan of SOME of Apple's gadgets. But not the way the company runs or it's LOYAL protective fanbase. And the last comment is directed at everybody who defends Apple's crazy decisions.

1) The box shows the desktop and a glimpse of the casing. I could see how someone could overlook that. But I don't know how different the box size so I'm clueless their.
2) If you have to question if it qualifies if it's stealing-it is.
3) Apple didn't f**k up. Some Joe Schmoe messed up. What if it costed him his job? Would you say "Too bad! He shouldn't have been working with expensive items!"?

 

[xlii]

What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if you paid 2500 for a 17" mbp and apple sends you a 13" macbook instead... but charged you for a 17 mbp and the paperwork said they sent you the 17" mbp. What would you do in that case? Would you call Apple? Would you live with the mistake, kicking yourself for letting apple trick you?

The right thing to do is to call Apple and let them know what happened.

 

[miccc83]

What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if you paid 2500 for a 17" mbp and apple sends you a 13" macbook instead... but charged you for a 17 mbp and the paperwork said they sent you the 17" mbp. What would you do in that case? Would you call Apple? Would you live with the mistake, kicking yourself for letting apple trick you?

The right thing to do is to call Apple and let them know what happened.

Well obviously if that happened i would call them straight away as i'd have nothing to lose and they would obviously replace it with the expensive one i bought! In this situation i have a potential load of money/macpro to lose!

 

[spinnerlys]

Well obviously if that happened i would call them straight away as i'd have nothing to lose and they would obviously replace it with the expensive one i bought! In this situation i have a potential load of money/macpro to lose!

It's a MacBook Pro btw. If you steal, at least know what you steal.

You're 26/7 now, what do you do when you are 62 or eve 72?