Three points to add to this discussion:
1. If you go in to the store KNOWING AHEAD OF TIME that you will return an item you purchased just to bump up the total so you could use a coupon, then YES, I agree that is deceitful. Whether it legally constitutes fraud is doubtful, but I agree it's wrong.
2. If, however, you subsequently decide to return an item, and Staples does not invalidate the coupon, I don't think that's a big deal (b/c the coupon incentivized you to make the purchase in the first place, which benefits Staples).
3. Maybe I've become jaded working for the MAN, but I just don't have too much sympathy for the big retailers. The whole mail-in-rebate program is borderline fraud -- the timelines for rebates are almost never met, some rebates NEVER appear, you have to work your ass off to get others, and the whole point of the program is deceptive advertising -- the rebate companies KNOW that a certain percentage of the rebates will never be filed. The retailers benefit from the program because it draws shoppers to the stores. Therefore, the retailers are not really showing that much respect for their customers.
Having said point #3, I still think it's important to live up to your personal ethics and morals. Just because their marketing department has no soul doesn't mean you should give yours up.
1. If you go in to the store KNOWING AHEAD OF TIME that you will return an item you purchased just to bump up the total so you could use a coupon, then YES, I agree that is deceitful. Whether it legally constitutes fraud is doubtful, but I agree it's wrong.
2. If, however, you subsequently decide to return an item, and Staples does not invalidate the coupon, I don't think that's a big deal (b/c the coupon incentivized you to make the purchase in the first place, which benefits Staples).
3. Maybe I've become jaded working for the MAN, but I just don't have too much sympathy for the big retailers. The whole mail-in-rebate program is borderline fraud -- the timelines for rebates are almost never met, some rebates NEVER appear, you have to work your ass off to get others, and the whole point of the program is deceptive advertising -- the rebate companies KNOW that a certain percentage of the rebates will never be filed. The retailers benefit from the program because it draws shoppers to the stores. Therefore, the retailers are not really showing that much respect for their customers.
Having said point #3, I still think it's important to live up to your personal ethics and morals. Just because their marketing department has no soul doesn't mean you should give yours up.
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