Great negotiator or dishonest?

[Soccermom]

I just read a Facebook status update where one of my friends was bragging about how great her husband at wheelin' and dealin' because he returned a four year old mattress to Costco and got all of his money back. He admitted in a comment under his wife's status update that he thought the problem with the mattress (a dent in one side) was mostly due to his weight.

Do you think that it is honest or good negotiation skills? They didn't bring up his weight related causation when negotiating and even bragged that the mattress had pee stains on it from their kids.

[Viking]

I just read a Facebook status update where one of my friends was bragging about how great her husband at wheelin' and dealin' because he returned a four year old mattress to Costco and got all of his money back. He admitted in a comment under his wife's status update that he thought the problem with the mattress (a dent in one side) was mostly due to his weight.

Do you think that it is honest or good negotiation skills? They didn't bring up his weight related causation when negotiating and even bragged that the mattress had pee stains on it from their kids.

Totally dishonest.

[Clark Addison]

One vote for "obviously dishonest"

[PaloAltoCougar]

I'd call the move reprehensible, as it's possible the guy didn't lie when he returned it. Costco, Nordstrom and few other retailers follow a pretty strict "customer is always right" policy and will accept pretty much everything if returned. I'm aware of Nordstrom accepting returns of shoes many years after purchase because they simply wore out. In another case, I know Nordstorm took back some shoes that Nordstrom never sold in the first place, despite the shopper's insistence that it had.

But people who abuse that policy have no shame and I'd want little to do with them, especially since, in essence, we all chipped in for the guy's refund.

[Soccermom]

One vote for "obviously dishonest"

Probably. I find it amusing and annoying that this couple acts so self righteous and yet they can't seem to see the dishonesty of their actions. They have bragged about similar stuff before on Facebook and it kills me that other members of our ward think he is so great and wish they could negotiate like him.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I'd vote dishonest. I grew up in a family of returners, as such I will often avoid returning things even if there is a legit reason to return it. I always feel guilty about it.

[creekster]

I'd call the move reprehensible, as it's possible the guy didn't lie when he returned it. Costco, Nordstrom and few other retailers follow a pretty strict "customer is always right" policy and will accept pretty much everything if returned. I'm aware of Nordstrom accepting returns of shoes many years after purchase because they simply wore out. In another case, I know Nordstorm took back some shoes that Nordstrom never sold in the first place, despite the shopper's insistence that it had.

But people who abuse that policy have no shame and I'd want little to do with them, especially since, in essence, we all chipped in for the guy's refund.

I agree completely with this.

[wuapinmon]

I agree with PAC. I would actually comment on the person's facebook that it was unethical to return something to the vendor, when it was clearly a warranty issue, and one that he admits might be his fault, and not the merchandise's. I would also make fun of him for admitting that he wets the bed at his age.

[thesaint258]

Definitely dishonest.

[TripletDaddy]

People that do this are serial offenders.

They return a meal because there was "something" wrong with it, asking for a full refund...but not before eating about 1/2 or 3/4 of it.

If there is a delay at the airport or a problem with their luggage, their first instinct is to try to get a "free flight" out of things.

They are invariably cheap tippers. They expect all retailers to cater to their every whim, yet have no problem busting out a calculator to figure out 12% on a $21 bill, even when the service has been good.

They will return items that they know they have damaged, pretending that the item was damaged when they opened it.

There are probably loads of symptoms and all of them are very annoying and inconsiderate.

[byu71]

My ex and I used to argue about this. She felt if they would take it back it was OK and you didn't owe them a full explanation. Her final arguement was, they take advantage of us if they can.

Reminds me of a friend who played cards with me in my office. He got on an unvievable hot streak. I finally figured out he could see my cards in a reflection from the window behind me. His arguement was it was a competitive advantage he just used.

Needless to say from then on I was very careful in my business dealings with him.

Bottom line, these types can't be trusted, IMHO.

[pellegrino]

What a complete lack of integrity. It's one thing when you are dishonest, it's another when you brag about it to the world. This will come back to bite them (or their kids) in the behind.

[Surfah]

I'm weird about returning stuff even when it's legit. Ask Gidget, it drives her nuts that I won't do it.

[Pheidippides]

I just read a Facebook status update where one of my friends was bragging about how great her husband at wheelin' and dealin' because he returned a four year old mattress to Costco and got all of his money back. He admitted in a comment under his wife's status update that he thought the problem with the mattress (a dent in one side) was mostly due to his weight.

Do you think that it is honest or good negotiation skills? They didn't bring up his weight related causation when negotiating and even bragged that the mattress had pee stains on it from their kids.

Dishonest and it's not close.

[Soccermom]

What a complete lack of integrity. It's one thing when you are dishonest, it's another when you brag about it to the world. This will come back to bite them (or their kids) in the behind.

Sometimes I seriously wonder. Do you really think it comes back to bite people like this? It seems like nice guys (and gals) may very well finish last. But I really hope karma is a *itch. This particular couple has done several shady things, so I guess DDD is right about them being serial offenders. It would be nice to see them get a taste of their own medicine.