Extra Parts - what would you do?

I agree, you did the right thing in trying to return them, I also received much more from an E commerce seller than I ordered and contacted them. They sent me a prepaid mailing label for the return. The person I talked to could hardly believe that I wanted to return an overage.

Ray

I think you did the right thing as well... Must be an older generation thing.   I would do business with you anytime.(if you had a business)

Yes you did right. I have done the same with others. it's only right. 

Yes it's an older generation thing 

rtraincollector posted:

Yes it's an older generation thing 

It's actually a "raised correctly" kind of thing. I have a teenaged niece who's done stuff like that.

I won an ePay auction for a O scale vehicle a couple of years ago and inside the box, there was also a O scale motorcycle and sidecar, new in the box. I wrote the guy saying he apparently put someone else's order in with mine, and he said no, it was a bonus item. I thanked him, even though I didn't need it. But I bet that he appreciated me bringing it up, though!

Dean, you totally did the right thing.

It's interesting that already knowing what the right thing is to do, that you would take a poll of the readers on the forum.  A majority opinion still does not define right versus wrong.  It may help to define the ethics and morality of that particular society.  I don't think many people on the forum will admit to anything less than attempting to return the e-units.  However, it may end up that it is cheaper for Lionel for you to keep them.

As far as your kids go, I have found that they are free will agents and heavily influenced by their peers, social media and the news/entertainment media.  Their social values are probably enormously different than yours, BUT probably fairly in line with their friends and peers.   When I was a kid, your parents were judged by how you acted and turned out.  That's how I was raised and how I raised my kid.  The results of my child raising efforts were less than flattering.  It bothered me a lot until my brother with older kids explained life in their world and what to expect.  It didn't lower my expectations, but I was not as shocked with some of the outcomes.  So I occasionally remind my parents how easy they had it with their kids, which they now readily agree and thank us for giving them little to no problems.  In the past, I have found a purse and a wallet.  Although troublesome to return, the owners were elated and I had some very temporary feelgood.  Never thought about it until now. 

Morality and character are what you do when no one is looking and no one will find out. 

And no, I don't believe in karma or pay it forward.  Just do the right thing.  It doesn't matter what the future holds, you have a clear conscience.

Well, I am glad that many state they would return it, as would I.  (I always think I can afford chickenfeed items)  TTOS some years ago had a really nifty conventiion car (the only one I've seen that looked prototypical) and I ordered two of them, one for myself and one for a friend.  It was a model of a Crystal River RR (Colorado marble quarry) flatcar with a chunk of real marble on it.  (no club name or other "funny" logos on it)  They sent me four, two in two shipments.  I wrote them back and they were glad to get the extras back.  Since I have seen these nowhere else, I wish I had sent them the money instead, which was an option.

I have had this happen more than once.   I always offer to return the items and, usually, I have been told to just keep them.

At one time I received a completely wrong order worth several hundred dollars, which I returned and I was actually rewarded, receiving not only my correct order but a few extra bonus items for being honest. 

On the whole, I have found that not only is honesty its' own reward, but. as the S gauge community is rather small, I have made some very good friends among vendors and dealers by doing what my Mama always taught me.

LittleTommy

A few months ago, Lionel double shipped a parts order (less than 100.00) I contacted them and was told if  I wanted to return them, OK, otherwise don't worry about it. Well they sounded like they really didn't want to go through the hassle, so I did keep the extra parts.

You absolutely did the right thing. Character is what you do when no one is looking, and it appears you have a fine one.

Several years ago I received an order. In addition to my credit card slip, there was someone else's slip including the full credit card number and expiration date. I mailed the slip back to the dealer. He sent me a note back with thanks and a coupon for free shipping on my next order. He was at the Big E show a few weeks later and I mentioned it to him as I was buying some items from him and he gave me an extra $10 off and told me the free shipping offer was still valid. - Somehow I always find something to buy in at his display.

-Lad

Sorry for not responding earlier, but I've been offline a few days. I appreciate all of the comments. And AUSSTEVE, I see your point, but I wasn't taking a poll to try to decide what to do in this case, I was just trying to spark some conversation. I'm not saying I wasn't tempted to just keep the extras, but in the end I made the only decision that I could live with.

This morning I got a response from Lionel thanking me for my note and including a prepaid UPS label. The spares will be on their way back to Lionel in the morning. Thanks again for all the input.

Dean

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  If you get more than you should, return the extra.  Good move.  Some things in life don't have to be, or fundamentally aren't, complicated.  Thankfully.