MBP warped lid, great CS, and moral dilemma.

Well,

I sent back my MBP, because of the warped lid and I must tell you it has been an interesting journey in getting my new MBP sent out. Along the way, I was pushed right into a moral dilemma.

First of all, the whole return/exchange process from Apple needs a little revamp, but it's decent for the amount of returns they probably deal with on a daily basis. I'm going to try to be brief, because when all was said and done...I think I spoke with about 5-6 Apple CS agents. The first agent I spoke with really served up a moral problem, because she messed up my return so bad, that she was going to send me out a new MBP free of change AND credit me the full amount of the MBP I had sent back. So, in essence, I was going to get a free MBP. Ok...STOP. What would you do? Do you not tell them about their mistake? or be honest and inform them? Well.........the decision was quite easy...

As an avid churchgoer and honest person...I decided to tell them and they were completely surprised. They were surprised that I would inform them of a $2300 mistake on their part. Anyways, they did give me a $100 credit, a free wireless mighty mouse and free applecare for my honesty.

I feel good about my decision, but would you?

Bottom line: They really took care of me and were very helpful. Though, some information was incorrect and everyone that touched my order messed up in one way or another Everything did work out in the end and it was pleasant talking to each of them.


BTW, my new MBP won't be shipped for probably another week or so.

 

The only part that confuses me is the 'avid churchgoer'. Is there a connection between that and honesty?

 

Good point. You're presenting enough of a "moral dilemma" without mixing religion up into it.

I dunno, are you seeking some sort of validation for your "good deed"? I would believe that if you are comfortable making the decision not to take a full credit and new MBP it should be enough. Is it really necessary to seek the opinions of total strangers on a forum?

I've seen a number of laptops up for trade stating an "extra" laptop sent out that the owner would like to sell off and get some cash. I'm sure there's some people out there who would jump at the chance for $2K+ and a free MBP. It's a tough economic world we live in.

It's kind of difficult to answer your question without actually being presented with the issue firsthand. It's pretty loaded, if you get my drift. Personally, I'd like to believe I would do the "right" thing and tell them of the problem, but who knows what my thinking process would be "in the moment". I can tell you it'd be hard to turn down $2K.

 

Not really, as there are bad/dishonest people everywhere. But. for the most part, I think someone that goes to church all the time (or active member) is probably less likely to commit a crime or do something immoral. There are always exceptions, but for the most part I think it's true.

I have no hard data to support this claim. It's hard to explain what faith, God, and my religion (Lutheran) have given me, but I think I'm a better person for it.

I don't want this to enter a religious debate phase....So, I'll just leave it at that.

 

I'm not looking for any type of validation. I just pondered what others would do. I made my decision very easily....I just wondered what others would do. It was more curiousity.....

 

For a price of $2300 for a laptop, Apple better make customer happy. There's a difference in CS between a $500 laptop and a $2300 laptop. I think that for Apple to loose out on $2300, they'll probably make it up from two customer who buys the same laptop at the same price.

 

It's not so much about sticking it to Apple, or any other large corporation; it's about doing the right thing. I am not a religious person, yet would have pointed out the mistake. Nor do I think High Energy pointed it out just because (s)he is a person of faith. It was just the right thing to do. You go, High Energy!

 

Were I dealing with an individual, I would have said something. With a large company, dunno. I can use $2300 more than Apple can.

Eventually they probably would have caught it anyway.

 

honesty is honesty no matter what .. religion doesn't really come into it in my opinion.. I do not subscribe to any religion but have my own set of morals which are adequate enough to know what is right from wrong. Any person with any sense knows right from wrong.

with regards to regular church goers being less likey to commit crimes.. I don't believe that for one minute... priests/vicars/reverends/monks etc.. all are succeptible to breaking the law and have often been found to do so.

 

Gimme a break, are you a decent person or not. That is how it boils down. Without hesitation a decent person would tell the fool that he is being ripped off. Apple cannot afford the loss of 2300 american notes anymore than you can afford being a cheat. Would you cheat your friends at cards? (you wanna keep your best gifts to yourself? ) Would you kill baby Adolph? (it is still murder) Would you take the bullet instead of Bobby K? (what are you crazy? what will you do in your lifetime) These are all hypothetical but they are our history, we make it every day. So do the right thing, right away!

 

u did the right thing and generated 2300$ worth of good karma.

 

The funny thing is, it won't make a difference. This is where religion comes into play. Many people think that, somehow, by doing the right thing the flying spaghetti monster or whoever will shine down upon them and provide some type of blessing for the good deed, when in reality they're just out $2300.

 

Everyone has said just about what I would say. IMO the OP is judging people by asking what they would do in this situation.


My only question to the OP is you state that after all of the steps you had to deal with to get the right thing done you are now happy that Apple took care of you. Once your new MBP arrives what are you going to do if you get another one with a warped lid?

Many of the Alu Powerbooks and MBP's come with warped lids. It's not always but it has become common. I have had a few of them.