I need your opinion on an apple matter

[ethical]

If I decided to give my friend a free TV, then a few weeks later realized I gave him the wrong TV and wanted it back, could I claim he stole it from me? I'm not sure I could.

Initially I sided with the mob telling the OP to give the money back, but now I'm starting to question if that's really what he should do. Obviously the financial competence and spending within your means is still relevant, but Apple made the mistake, so they should be the ones to suck it up, not the OP.

 

[gdanko]

If I decided to give my friend a free TV, then a few weeks later realized I gave him the wrong TV and wanted it back, could I claim he stole it from me? I'm not sure I could.

Initially I sided with the mob telling the OP to give the money back, but now I'm starting to question if that's really what he should do. Obviously the financial competence and spending within your means is still relevant, but Apple made the mistake, so they should be the ones to suck it up, not the OP.

Ironic that your handle "ethical" so clearly coincides with your stance on the issue. It comes down to basic morality. This is apples and oranges, no pun intended.

Apple did not give this guy money and simply change their minds. It was some sort of error that they caught down the road. Had Apple offered him a rebate, then wrote a letter a month later stating they had changed their minds and wanted it back, then he could tell them to pound sand. But this is clearly not the case.

Apple sent him money he was not entitled to... by mistake. They then caught the error and asked him to make it right. His crying poor college student is bullcrap. I agree with sdsvtdriver in that if he can afford a MacBook and iPhone that he can afford to pay back money that is not his.

I worked my ass off in college and I was able to afford to pay my own bills and debts.

 

[ethical]

Ironic that your handle "ethical" so clearly coincides with your stance on the issue.

I was waiting for that comment

Apple did not give this guy money and simply change their minds. It was some sort of error that they caught down the road. Had Apple offered him a rebate, then wrote a letter a month later stating they had changed their minds and wanted it back, then he could tell them to pound sand. But this is clearly not the case.

Apple sent him money he was not entitled to... by mistake. They then caught the error and asked him to make it right. His crying poor college student is bullcrap. I agree with sdsvtdriver in that if he can afford a MacBook and iPhone that he can afford to pay back money that is not his.

I worked my ass off in college and I was able to afford to pay my own bills and debts.

First, I completely agree with your points about how he is able to afford an iPhone and MB if he is so poor. My original post in this thread, on the first page, I commented on this. In fact I think I was the first person to bring it up.

I get your point, but this was several months ago that they made the mistake. They may have caught it, but it was still their mistake. The OP said they didn't think about it when depositing the cheques (whether that's true or not I don't know). IMO it's fine that Apple wants to ask for it back, but they have no control over the money.

I realize I'm not giving the most ethical or moral opinion, but I'm a poor student too (although one who keeps 'back-up' funds to deal with sudden emergencies)....I don't think I'd return the money. Not after several months. If it was a week or two later then it would be a different story, but after several months that money has been caught right up in my cash flow, and taking it back out wouldnt be as easy. I don't see it as urgent enough (considering I don't HAVE to) to condone messing myself up like that. Call me a thief if you like.

 

[gdanko]

Hmm if you receive a check in the mail you're pretty certain you shouldn't then it should never make its way to your "cash flow". It should be set aside until you're able to determine what is going on.

 

[treyjustice]

I kept the money. Apple said they would contact me again about how to repay but they never did.

 

[Bonch]

I kept the money. Apple said they would contact me again about how to repay but they never did.

Good man. If they call tell them to man up to their mistake and eat it. I would also tell them how unreasonable they are being about THEIR mistake, and threaten to take it public unless you get $10K. It's worth a shot.