Is it wrong to accept the mistake of a business?

[mwc360]

I bought a hard drive and then chose the in-store pick-up option. When I picked it up, apparently the store made a mistake and it never registered that I picked it up. I kept getting emails to come pick up my hard drive so I called and canceled the order because I thought I might have ordered it twice by accident. So, long story short, the store is sending me a gift card for the cost of the hard drive since my order was canceled even though I already have the product. Am I correct that it would be wrong to accept this mistake and keep the gift card? And, if it is wrong, what would be the best thing to do with the gift card? I feel like if I go back to the store and tell them what happened and try to give them the gift card they could say just to keep it.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I feel like if I go back to the store and tell them what happened and try to give them the gift card they could say just to keep it.

If they do, then you would be free to keep it. But not unless they give you permission to do so. As you suspect, you cannot take advantage of the store’s mistake and attempt to make things right with you by accepting a gift card for a significant amount of money to which you are not entitled. While you could just take the card back to the store, it might also be nice to send it enclosed with a letter to the store’s district manager, explaining the situation and praising the store for its excellent service.