Harbor Freight messed up my order

[Black88GTA]

So I placed an order with HF a while back. The first box came today and everything was fine....except they included a tool that I didn't order. The packing slip shows everything I ordered on it, and it's all there - except for one item.

So, in other words, they did not include one item I ordered, but gave me a "freebie."

My question - tell them about it? Or mention nothing of the "free" item and just say that my order was short?

The item they sent that wasn't on my order currently retails on their site for $15.99, so it's not like a large amount of money is at stake here.
My problem is this - IF I tell them I got something I didn't order, they will likely tell me to ship it back (probably at my expense). I would have no problem with shipping it back. It's the fact that I would very likely be paying out of my own pocket for return shipping costs to fix their mistake that I have a problem with. I don't know this for sure, though - they might pick up the shipping, although I doubt it.
If I don't mention it, they will probably include the thing they left out of my order in the other box they'll be shipping to me anyway, and I get to keep the free thing.

Your thoughts? Anyone go through something similar with HF before?

 

[oogabooga]

if they shipped you something incorrectly, i'm not 100% sure you're even liable to pay to ship it back. When i got an extra video cable from online, the company said "umm.. keep it, it's not worth it to us for you to ship it back".

Realistically it was probally a packaging mistake, and i would think they would rectify the situation, though i can't say for sure since i haven't had to deal with HF this way. Call and ask in hypotheticals

 

[Amused]

It was their mistake, they'll eat the shipping. Contact them, inform them of their mistake, and tell them to ship your missing part with a return shipping label for the wrong part.

That was easy, wasn't it?

 

[Bryophyte]

Call them and they'll either pick up shipping or tell you to keep it (not worth their time/money over a cheap part) for your honesty. You won't have to pay shipping, it was THEIR fvckup, not yours.

 

[vegetation]

If you want to be dishonest, then go ahead and keep the item without ever telling them about it. While you're at it, might want to consider holding up a bank. After all, you'll profit in both cases.

 

[Pliablemoose]

After putting up with the terrible help at HF stores, I would have no issues with keeping quiet...

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: vegetation
If you want to be dishonest, then go ahead and keep the item without ever telling them about it. While you're at it, might want to consider holding up a bank. After all, you'll profit in both cases.

OK, a little background.

A couple years back I ordered a stick of 512MB ram from an online retailer (before I found out what resellerratings was). They sent me a 256. I called and told them, and I had to ship it back AT MY EXPENSE within a certain time period or else I would have been billed for it (or so they said).

Could I have fought it? Yes, if I wanted to go through a whole bunch of hassle and bull$hit over what amounted to $4 worth of shipping charges. Not worth it to me, so I did it. I 'd like to think that all retailers would own up to their mistakes and fix them, but many would prefer to make the customers pay for them instead.

Just trying to avoid paying for someone else's mistake like I did last time. That's why I posted here looking for anyone who'd been in a similar situation with this company, so I'd know how they handle things like this before telling them. gg on assuming I'm trying to weasel my way into free stuff though. :roll:

It has nothing to do with "wanting to be dishonest." In fact, if I had a HF store nearby, I'd try bringing the item there and exchanging it on the spot - too bad there's not a HF within 100 miles of me, so I can't even do that.

If anyone cares, I did end up telling them about it. They told me they'd send a label to UPS, and they'll come by sometime next week to get it. When I told them I work 8-5:30, on weekdays, they said to "leave it on my porch with a note to UPS on it and they'll pick it up." Uhh, ok I guess. Hopefully it's not pouring rain next week.

 

[oogabooga]

it sucks that you had to eat the shipping on the ram : but when i get mistaken parts, 1 time i was compensated for shipping (which was wierd to have to do), the other times the company has included a label with the order or sent one. And of course the one time i was told to keep the product. Yay backup DVI CAble

 

[Eli]

My brother works at a local Harbor Freight franchise.

That is all.