Computer Tech Guy switched my chip, part 2... (Please read, need advice)

[MrBeetle]

Just wondering what I should do, and what may be required by law.

Quick background -

Took my computer in to figure out why it wouldn't post... Comp guy said bad mobo bad chip.


He ended up switching my 1333 AHYJA chip for a 1600+, probably screwed up in the testing phase.

Today he figured this out, and obviously wants his chip back.

Am I legally obligated to return the chip? Just want to know so I don't get arrested or anything should I decide to keep it. =)

 

[hudster]

well, maybe you're not required by law to give it back (I honestly don't know), but if you ever want him to work on your computer again, giving the chip back would probably be a good idea.

-hudster

 

[cholley]

yea, dont be a jerk he could have just as easily gone the other way and sent you home with a duron 850

 

[John]

MrBeetle, if you were working on someones PC and used your own cpu to test the system, but forgot to take it out....would you want it back once you realized you forgot to pull it out?

 

[MrBeetle]

My my how people hop on a bandwagon... Check out my first post

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=799045


Anywhoo... contacted a friend here at UW-Madison that was in the law school. Apparently there is nothing "criminal" about it (in terms of legal shoplifting/etc). But, the processor still is not legally mine. Because of this, it would be no problem for them to file a civil suit if they wanted.

 

[Yossarian]

Does he have your original working cpu to return to you? If not, I'd keep it until he can provide an equivalent.

 

[Adul]

but he has your processor doesnt he? Has long has you get back your exact same cpu, then I wouldn't complain about returning it.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: MrBeetle
My my how people hop on a bandwagon... Check out my first post

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=799045


Anywhoo... contacted a friend here at UW-Madison that was in the law school. Apparently there is nothing "criminal" about it (in terms of legal shoplifting/etc). But, the processor still is not legally mine. Because of this, it would be no problem for them to file a civil suit if they wanted.

Unfortunately I did read your original post, and I still stand behind the idea of you giving him his chip back for yours. I have seen a few motherboards take other components with them as they go up in smoke. If you plan on doing business with that local company again, it is in your best interest. Burning bridges is a bad thing to do IMHO.

 

[erikistired]

if i put a 1600+ in someone's pc to test it out i'd surely remember to pull it back out but i can see getting swamped and forgetting i guess. i'd return the chip if i were in your shoes, but that's just me. it's in no way YOURS, you didn't pay for it. assuming he has yours there is no reason you should get to keep it.

and i wouldn't listen to some of the opinions you were getting. i've seen CPUs go when motherboards went (electrical surge? seen them take a motherboard/cpu/modem and leave the RAM perfectly fine).

~erik

i don't work for compusa/bestbuy. and i did leave a software cd (stuff i'd downloaded, utils such as winzip) in a customer's pc once, and bugged her til she brought it back. of course she's a regular customer who is by here alot with her problems.

 

[Elcs]

Well, according to English law the chip is his. If you tell him and he hasnt collected it within I believe 12 months or so, it becomes your property legally. But this is England and I guess your American.

 

[SteelCityFan]

The 1600+ chip is worth a whopping $80 brand new. Subtract from that the value of your chip that he has, and is it really worth it? Just return the chip and know you did the right thing, and save yourself the hassle of dodging his attempts to contact you.

 

[mandrake88]

mr. beetle, return it, it is not yours. you would feel better and he would treat you better the next time you needed his help.
if you were in his shoes, you'd felt the same way.

 

[RedShirt]

Your previous post omitted some facts.

I would give it back... Geesh, I would have called them up and told them when I figured it out for myself.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: MrBeetle
Am I legally obligated to return the chip? Just want to know so I don't get arrested or anything should I decide to keep it. =)

You are morally and ethically required to return the chip and get back your own CPU.

If you are lacking in ethics, you might get away with the theft if they don't bother to file a civil suit.

 

[TheWart]

just give it back if for no other reason than to make the poor guy who put it in your comp feel better

 

[McCarthy]

Take it and your 1.33 and cut both in half, each taking a piece of both.

--Mc

 

[bigboxes]

If for no other reason, he asked for it back. Your original post asked if this was a mistake or done on purpose. Now you know, so give it back.

 

[Goldfish]

If he hadn't asked, I'd keep it, but since he did ask, it should be returned.

 

[Yobbo]

His boss must be pissed as hell, no real point in getting another person fired over some silly small amount of $$$. Return it

 

[Fulcrum]

GIVE IT BACK! From what you?ve said the guy made an honest mistake. If you really feel bothered about having to do what is so obviously the ethical thing to do, ask him if he would be willing to give you a discount the next time you need service as compensation for the inconvenience his oversight caused. Even if he can't comply with your request, you need to return it. Taking advantage of an honest mistake is just plain wrong, regardless of the legality!

 

[MisterDuck]

I would give it back, even if the law did somehow let you keep the chip. Taking something that's not yours is theft; that makes you a thief, irregardless of the "circumstances" before and whether or not they made a mistake. I'm sure if you bring it in, they'll gladly put the right chip in for you free of cost - but personally, I would call it nothing more than theft for you to do anything else, in my opinion.

Could you get away with it? Probably. Should you? Well, I dunno...