I purchased a new piece of equipment ($800) for my boat in October of last year. It has been delivered and installed. I gave a credit card number for the purchase but it has yet to show up on my statement. Here's the dilemma ... Do I tell the vendor or not? How long should I wait before assuming the vendor "forgot"? If the part fails, I would have to contact the vendor, right? Wouldn't he fing out then? I am a very honest person, but the thought of gaining $800 is very tempting. Give me your thoughts.
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Integrity
Rob, Honesty is a virtue that knows no compromise. Contact the folks, explain the situation and pay what's due. They may not appreciate it, but you should sleep better and not have these nagging doubts that promp you to question your own integrity.
Rob, Honesty is a virtue that knows no compromise. Contact the folks, explain the situation and pay what's due. They may not appreciate it, but you should sleep better and not have these nagging doubts that promp you to question your own integrity.
Honor
"The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught." -H. L. Mencken I would be sorely tempted too but the fact that you posted your dilemma on a public forum says to me that you know what you want to do. Good on you! LaDonna
"The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught." -H. L. Mencken I would be sorely tempted too but the fact that you posted your dilemma on a public forum says to me that you know what you want to do. Good on you! LaDonna
character
Rob, I agree with the first 2 responses. Honesty and character go hand and hand. Enjoy guilt-free sailing.
Rob, I agree with the first 2 responses. Honesty and character go hand and hand. Enjoy guilt-free sailing.
reverse places
Put youself in the other persons place and how would you like the situation to be handled ? Walk in the other persons shoe etc. You know what the correct thing to do is !
Put youself in the other persons place and how would you like the situation to be handled ? Walk in the other persons shoe etc. You know what the correct thing to do is !
Deny Everything
Do what politicians do. Deny everything.. deny you have a credit card, deny you bought anything, say it was the guy you bought the boat from, blame the marina and when you get caught: blame it on the drugs, the booze, the marital problems, mumble and grumble about Sadam and Al Queda and Enron and if you don't have time for all this nonsense then just pay the bill so you'll actually "own" the thing and sleep well.
Do what politicians do. Deny everything.. deny you have a credit card, deny you bought anything, say it was the guy you bought the boat from, blame the marina and when you get caught: blame it on the drugs, the booze, the marital problems, mumble and grumble about Sadam and Al Queda and Enron and if you don't have time for all this nonsense then just pay the bill so you'll actually "own" the thing and sleep well.
Don't forget El Niño
Although falling out of favor in recent years, the El Niño excuse is destin to make a comeback. Can't wait for my customers to try it on me. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
Although falling out of favor in recent years, the El Niño excuse is destin to make a comeback. Can't wait for my customers to try it on me. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
Marine trades
Well, if you bought it from a marine retailer (at least, from any but the largest and publicly traded variety), I can't think of one who couldn't use the $800 this year. If you want those folks to be around the next time you need something, it's only practical to take care of them the way they trake care of you.
Well, if you bought it from a marine retailer (at least, from any but the largest and publicly traded variety), I can't think of one who couldn't use the $800 this year. If you want those folks to be around the next time you need something, it's only practical to take care of them the way they trake care of you.
I agree with the others.
I will assume that you planned to pay for it, anyway. So in your mind you figured that you can do without the cash. Tell the vendor, and you won't miss the money. And when you see it on your statement, you will feel good. Just go back and double-check your statements to make sure that you didn't get billed already. Honesty is the best policy!
I will assume that you planned to pay for it, anyway. So in your mind you figured that you can do without the cash. Tell the vendor, and you won't miss the money. And when you see it on your statement, you will feel good. Just go back and double-check your statements to make sure that you didn't get billed already. Honesty is the best policy!
I agree, pay up. But first...
Make 100% certain that you haven't already. Many businesses have corporate names that are different from their "dba" ("doing business as") trade name. For instance my own company did business as Peal Products, but our corporate name was The Hall Group, Inc...and that's the name our bank accounts and credit card merchant accounts were under...the name that showed up on people's card statements. Some will use the same corporate shell for more than one business, not necessarily related--for instance "The Hall Group, Inc" could be the corporate name for "Bobby's Bagels" and "Salty Sam's Bait Shop." If you're looking for a purchase from Bobby's or Sams, you won't recognize it. So go through your card statements for all your cards--you may not have charged it to the card you think you did--for at least 3 months after your purchase looking for ANY purchase for approximately the same amount...I suspect you'll find it. If not, give 'em a call and ask 'em to search their records.
Make 100% certain that you haven't already. Many businesses have corporate names that are different from their "dba" ("doing business as") trade name. For instance my own company did business as Peal Products, but our corporate name was The Hall Group, Inc...and that's the name our bank accounts and credit card merchant accounts were under...the name that showed up on people's card statements. Some will use the same corporate shell for more than one business, not necessarily related--for instance "The Hall Group, Inc" could be the corporate name for "Bobby's Bagels" and "Salty Sam's Bait Shop." If you're looking for a purchase from Bobby's or Sams, you won't recognize it. So go through your card statements for all your cards--you may not have charged it to the card you think you did--for at least 3 months after your purchase looking for ANY purchase for approximately the same amount...I suspect you'll find it. If not, give 'em a call and ask 'em to search their records.
What goes around
I have two good friends who were cruising in the Pacific. They used to dive for other cruisers to find gear, fix things, etc. One day they lose their best anchor. They're sitting on their back up when someone asks them to dive and find an anchor they lost overboard. My friends go down but cannot find the other boat's anchor. A few days later they do another dive for another boat - and there is the first boat's anchor. They thought about it - but eventually marked it and returned it to the first boat that hired them - who stiffed them. But there was no way they were going to feel safe sitting off a lee beach with a stolen anchor... I'd pay the bill. Justin
I have two good friends who were cruising in the Pacific. They used to dive for other cruisers to find gear, fix things, etc. One day they lose their best anchor. They're sitting on their back up when someone asks them to dive and find an anchor they lost overboard. My friends go down but cannot find the other boat's anchor. A few days later they do another dive for another boat - and there is the first boat's anchor. They thought about it - but eventually marked it and returned it to the first boat that hired them - who stiffed them. But there was no way they were going to feel safe sitting off a lee beach with a stolen anchor... I'd pay the bill. Justin
My Faith In People Is Restored
I know sailors are a good a good group of people and these replies show it. Thank you all!!!
I know sailors are a good a good group of people and these replies show it. Thank you all!!!
Character is about
who you are when no one else is looking. When I left a wallet with over $900 in it on a table at the post office, it was turned in before I even knew it was missing. "To thine own self be true" sure applies to the good soul who found it.
who you are when no one else is looking. When I left a wallet with over $900 in it on a table at the post office, it was turned in before I even knew it was missing. "To thine own self be true" sure applies to the good soul who found it.
Be True to Yourself
... that says it all. Have a good conscience and know what's good and what's right. Be true to yourself and you'll sleep well. I remember a mid-term in first semester Chemistry in college. The teacher asked everybody to put all his or her books on the floor and have a vacant seat between everybody. One of the questions was "who is the author of your book" and I couldn't help looking down on the floor and, reading the name on the cover, completed the exam question. I also wrote a note to that effect beside my answer. No good deed goes unpunished! I missed the question not because of my note but because I had the wrong answer. I wrote the publishers name! I did receive some notoriety, though, because after he handed out the exams he told the class about my note - fortunately he left my name out. P.S. Just thinking. Wonder how those Enron accountants and managers ever sleep at night?
... that says it all. Have a good conscience and know what's good and what's right. Be true to yourself and you'll sleep well. I remember a mid-term in first semester Chemistry in college. The teacher asked everybody to put all his or her books on the floor and have a vacant seat between everybody. One of the questions was "who is the author of your book" and I couldn't help looking down on the floor and, reading the name on the cover, completed the exam question. I also wrote a note to that effect beside my answer. No good deed goes unpunished! I missed the question not because of my note but because I had the wrong answer. I wrote the publishers name! I did receive some notoriety, though, because after he handed out the exams he told the class about my note - fortunately he left my name out. P.S. Just thinking. Wonder how those Enron accountants and managers ever sleep at night?
Somebody Else May Have Paid
If you gave your number by telephone it could be that it was mis-heard and nobody checked the name tallied with the number - so someone else may have been charged. Here in England a TV reporter went to many shops and bought items, always signing Mickey Mouse. In every case he got away with it and was not challenged. May I suggest you ring the supplier and enquire if he has had his money. Curiously you may get a person into trouble - but I guess they deserve it.
If you gave your number by telephone it could be that it was mis-heard and nobody checked the name tallied with the number - so someone else may have been charged. Here in England a TV reporter went to many shops and bought items, always signing Mickey Mouse. In every case he got away with it and was not challenged. May I suggest you ring the supplier and enquire if he has had his money. Curiously you may get a person into trouble - but I guess they deserve it.
This is too much!
This is not a moral dilemma. Get some conseling.If you need to ask a question like this you need to move to France.
This is not a moral dilemma. Get some conseling.If you need to ask a question like this you need to move to France.
I know, but ...
I just wanted to see if there was anyone out there who would not tell the vendor. I know there are. Don K.'s faith may be restored, but dishonesty is out there. Its my belief that 90% of people would not tell the vendor. Im surprised none of them have spoken up on this "anonomous" page.
I just wanted to see if there was anyone out there who would not tell the vendor. I know there are. Don K.'s faith may be restored, but dishonesty is out there. Its my belief that 90% of people would not tell the vendor. Im surprised none of them have spoken up on this "anonomous" page.
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