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Moral Dilemma: Amazon sent wrong lens...what to do?

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sirhawkeye64 said:
jjz2 said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
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they recorded a serial number somewhere so it's possible they could track it to you. probably.
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This is actually where the mistake was made. The sticker on the box is for a 50mm 1.8 S lens with their Amazon barcode (the typical white sticker on these I've seen many times). I suspect it was labeled wrong as soon as it entered their warehouse. So in their system, it likely is a 50mm 1.8 S was shipped out.
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Then that might explain the mix-up. I've had that happen too, both ways (something labelled wrong and I got something of lesser quality than what i had ordered, and the other way around). Of course in the first instance, (lesser quality) they gave me the right item plus a gift card for the same amount (this wasn't Amazon, but rather some other online retailer). On the other one, I was sent a different flash than what I had ordered (only the next model up, so maybe $100 difference) but the seller said to just keep it. Wasn't worth it to them to return and process it when all said and done.
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Yes I assume they'd have to pay labor, shipping back, UPS to pick up, shipping again for next one, labor in warehouse to restock and verify, lose money on the discount of selling it used this time, maybe selling to a liquidator as somebody suggested, plus risk making long time big spending customer for sending wrong lens if I had needed it that week, etc so calculated it wasn't worth the hassle. I'm not sure how long I've had an Amazon account as I've changed email a few time, but my eBay account has been open since 1999, and that's probably around the time I used Amazon also. I'm not sure if they have some internal "good customer" rating on their screen. Now I guess I'm curious as to how they make these decisions.
 
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jjz2 said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
jjz2 said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
Click to expand...
they recorded a serial number somewhere so it's possible they could track it to you. probably.
Click to expand...
This is actually where the mistake was made. The sticker on the box is for a 50mm 1.8 S lens with their Amazon barcode (the typical white sticker on these I've seen many times). I suspect it was labeled wrong as soon as it entered their warehouse. So in their system, it likely is a 50mm 1.8 S was shipped out.
Click to expand...
Then that might explain the mix-up. I've had that happen too, both ways (something labelled wrong and I got something of lesser quality than what i had ordered, and the other way around). Of course in the first instance, (lesser quality) they gave me the right item plus a gift card for the same amount (this wasn't Amazon, but rather some other online retailer). On the other one, I was sent a different flash than what I had ordered (only the next model up, so maybe $100 difference) but the seller said to just keep it. Wasn't worth it to them to return and process it when all said and done.
Click to expand...
Yes I assume they'd have to pay labor, shipping back, UPS to pick up, shipping again for next one, labor in warehouse to restock and verify, lose money on the discount of selling it used this time, maybe selling to a liquidator as somebody suggested, plus risk making long time big spending customer for sending wrong lens if I had needed it that week, etc so calculated it wasn't worth the hassle. I'm not sure how long I've had an Amazon account as I've changed email a few time, but my eBay account has been open since 1999, and that's probably around the time I used Amazon also. I'm not sure if they have some internal "good customer" rating on their screen. Now I guess I'm curious as to how they make these decisions.
Click to expand...
Well, at this point, i had not even opened the flash box. I just noticed it was not the model I ordered (but the next model up), so it could have been sold as new, but regardless, so I got a slightly better flash than was paid for.

But now that the OP did the right thing, they can sleep better knowing they did the right thing, and was told to just keep it, so any question of morals as it relates to the situation, is not an issue anymore.
 
AngelFish said:
If they told you to keep it, then there is nothing to feel weird about!
Click to expand...
The only thing I would do is email Amazon confirming their agreement that you keep the lens - phone conversation at xyz - and that you do not need to pay Amazon any extra money.
 
Brueghel said:
jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
Click to expand...
Opinions may differ but personaly I dont think Amazon abides by any moral code.
Click to expand...
You end up with a race to the bottom.
 
sirhawkeye64 said:
Well, at this point, i had not even opened the flash box. I just noticed it was not the model I ordered (but the next model up), so it could have been sold as new, but regardless, so I got a slightly better flash than was paid for.

But now that the OP did the right thing, they can sleep better knowing they did the right thing, and was told to just keep it, so any question of morals as it relates to the situation, is not an issue anymore.
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I had not used it either except to see, yep, that's a 14-30 in there. I think their policy is to list as used once a lens goes out to a customer and is returned regardless how much it was used (or not) for.

I don't see an "Amazon" used one on there right now, but I see Adorama and Hunts, they have a $250 and $200 discount respectively on the open box one, I'd assume Amazon is a similar mark down and was calculated in their decision.
 
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Leonard Shepherd said:
AngelFish said:
If they told you to keep it, then there is nothing to feel weird about!
Click to expand...
The only thing I would do is email Amazon confirming their agreement that you keep the lens - phone conversation at xyz - and that you do not need to pay Amazon any extra money.
Click to expand...
Yes, I even did that and replied to the customer service feedback email from the phone call with a written confirmation "decision" of keeping the 14-30mm, so they def have it, and I should be "in the clear." By this point I have the chat record also and phone call email confirmation of the agent helping me. If it somehow gets escalated or reviewed at some point, I'm of course, fine returning it, but I don't think that will happen. As I posted above and found out when looking at it again, they labeled the box a 50mm 1.8 S, so I don't even think they had it properly in their inventory for who knows how long. My wife told me to stop worrying about it and "let something good happen to you" for once haha.
 
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jjz2 said:
OK so update...

I chatted with customer service and they said to go ahead and keep it.

Felt excited...but then weird again.

So I thought, OK, maybe this guy did not understand me.

So I CALLED them, said that the wrong lens was sent, not the one I ordered, they looked order # and tracking number to make sure that the package was not meant for somebody else. Same thing, they told me to keep the lens if I want to keep it.

I still feel slightly weird though, like yooo are you guys sure? Whattt? but I'll guess I consider it a mistake in my favor.

I am still going to order the lens I was supposed to get AGAIN though.
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Maybe next time you’ll get the new 800? 🤣

We’ve had similar outcomes with Amazon when something “more” in some way gets accidentally packed by the overworked staff. Return processes are actually so financially burdensome to sellers that this happens often. The inspection and restocking is even more expensive than the return shipping.
 
jjz2 said:
Leonard Shepherd said:
AngelFish said:
If they told you to keep it, then there is nothing to feel weird about!
Click to expand...
The only thing I would do is email Amazon confirming their agreement that you keep the lens - phone conversation at xyz - and that you do not need to pay Amazon any extra money.
Click to expand...
Yes, I even did that and replied to the customer service feedback email from the phone call with a written confirmation "decision" of keeping the 14-30mm, so they def have it, and I should be "in the clear." By this point I have the chat record also and phone call email confirmation of the agent helping me. If it somehow gets escalated or reviewed at some point, I'm of course, fine returning it, but I don't think that will happen. As I posted above and found out when looking at it again, they labeled the box a 50mm 1.8 S, so I don't even think they had it properly in their inventory for who knows how long. My wife told me to stop worrying about it and "let something good happen to you" for once haha.
Click to expand...
To the OP - Don't worry about it. It's a overall business decision applied by Amazon. Whilst they can be good about returns they prefer not to have to deal with the costs of setting up an even bigger returns department than they need plus it's not possible to sell the returned product as new. What they are doing is saving themselves hassle and money overall.

Keep the lens and enjoy it.
 
Last edited:
jjz2 said:
Leonard Shepherd said:
The only thing I would do is email Amazon confirming their agreement that you keep the lens - phone conversation at xyz - and that you do not need to pay Amazon any extra money.
Click to expand...
Yes, I even did that and replied to the customer service feedback email from the phone call with a written confirmation "decision" of keeping the 14-30mm, so they def have it, and I should be "in the clear." By this point I have the chat record also and phone call email confirmation of the agent helping me. If it somehow gets escalated or reviewed at some point, I'm of course, fine returning it, but I don't think that will happen. As I posted above and found out when looking at it again, they labeled the box a 50mm 1.8 S, so I don't even think they had it properly in their inventory for who knows how long. My wife told me to stop worrying about it and "let something good happen to you" for once haha.
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You have contacted Amazon via three different means. I think that is more than enough.

Your wife has great advice. She seems to be a wise woman so that something great already happened to you once (wise wife). Let something good happen to you for (at least) a second time. ;-)
 
EricK214 said:
As the lens was bought by Amazon, Nikon got their money for the lens. For the warranty issue, nothing keeping you from saving the invoice as a PDF and and just editing the the description and cost. You paid Amazon and they told you to keep it, so not really doing anything shady. Not something I would do but there was nothing shady about how you got the lens and you shouldn't lose the warranty IMO. Really no different if Amazon just issued you a new invoice.

Though on the other hand, the Nikon warranties on lenses at at this point are only 1 year and not the 1+4 years of the past. So may not even be worth it the hassle
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First off, you and I are in general agreement on this general issue I think. The OP did the right thing. He called Amazon, they told him to keep the lens. End of story. Enjoy the lens.

But I have to chuckle at the idea of taking the invoice and altering it. I'm not saying the OP would be unethical in doing this since Amazon told him to keep the lens. But the idea that Nikon would accept an altered invoice seems suspect. They may very well do it. Especially if they can't tell. But I can't imagine that Nikon would accept it.

I'm reminded of the Monty Python "Eric the Fish" sketch. A man wants a pet license for his pet fish "Eric the Halibut". He's assured by the man behind the counter that he doesn't need one. The man insists and says he has a license for hit pet cat "Eric" (and all his other pets) as well. When told he doesn't need a cat license he pulls it out and shows the man. The man says "that's a dog license with the word dog crossed out and the word cat written in in crayon."
 
Dude, enjoy your new lens, guilt free! Amazon would likely break even, at best, even if you returned it. Additionally, the law in the US is that you are entitled to keep it--regardless of what Amazon says.

Obviously, legal doesn't equal moral, but in this case, there's not even a moral dilemma because they don't want it back. Congratulations!
 
jjz2 said:
Leonard Shepherd said:
AngelFish said:
If they told you to keep it, then there is nothing to feel weird about!
Click to expand...
The only thing I would do is email Amazon confirming their agreement that you keep the lens - phone conversation at xyz - and that you do not need to pay Amazon any extra money.
Click to expand...
Yes, I even did that and replied to the customer service feedback email from the phone call with a written confirmation "decision" of keeping the 14-30mm, so they def have it, and I should be "in the clear." By this point I have the chat record also and phone call email confirmation of the agent helping me. If it somehow gets escalated or reviewed at some point, I'm of course, fine returning it, but I don't think that will happen. As I posted above and found out when looking at it again, they labeled the box a 50mm 1.8 S, so I don't even think they had it properly in their inventory for who knows how long. My wife told me to stop worrying about it and "let something good happen to you" for once haha.
Click to expand...
That review won’t happen, or at least it won’t get back to you with a request for return. You already have documentation that they told you to keep it, for one. Second, by the time that might happen you will already have used the lens and maybe banged it up; regardless, it will be worth considerably less to them at that future time than it was the day you called - so they have even less reason to ask for it back.

You found a unicorn; good for you doing the right thing; enjoy your serendipity. It’s probably time for everyone to move on.
 
jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
Click to expand...
--The issue is very clear, you should at least notify Amazon of the mistake, and let the chips fall where they may. They may charge you the additional, or may say, “our fault, don’t worry about it. (Not likely, but you can always hope)” What you shouldn’t do is expend any funds to return the item. That includes taking it to a return center, or even Sending it back via UPS. you should in no way pay for THEIR mistake.
Rich Rosen
 
jjz2 said:
OK so update...

I chatted with customer service and they said to go ahead and keep it.

Felt excited...but then weird again.

So I thought, OK, maybe this guy did not understand me.

So I CALLED them, said that the wrong lens was sent, not the one I ordered, they looked order # and tracking number to make sure that the package was not meant for somebody else. Same thing, they told me to keep the lens if I want to keep it.

I still feel slightly weird though, like yooo are you guys sure? Whattt? but I'll guess I consider it a mistake in my favor.

I am still going to order the lens I was supposed to get AGAIN though.
Click to expand...
My daughter ordered £600 of Christmas presents from Amazon. Delivery never arrived - she called up on 22nd and they sent out her order again - next day she got 2 orders delivered and called CS who told her to donate the second box to someone deserving!

You did the right thing but hell, they can afford to make mistakes!
 
This doesn't address the morality, but it's important to know that in the US you are legally entitled to keep anything that is sent to you that you didn't order.

There used to be various scams that this law addressed: sending products and then billing, sending a more expensive product and trying to charge the difference, e.g.

To their credit, Amazon lives up to this. They've sent me the wrong product a few times and never asked for it back. As a practical matter, returns lose so much value that it's generally not in their interest. Many Amazon returns end up in a landfill (not an expensive lens, obviously).

You're a good person for worrying about it and telling Amazon. Enjoy your lens!
 
OK, so the plot thickens!

I received now the 50mm 1.8 S (the second one I ordered) and it is clearly a USED lens, not new. It even has the previous RMA on it, the lens was packed without the lens cap on it loose in the box without any wrapper, the lens hood is missing (I always use these), the pouch is missing, there is no warranty card inside, and there is a mark near the front element where the black is worn off.

Do I just shut up? Or start a return on it.

Now I'm REALLY thinking Amazon really don't have their stuff together...

(Edit: I already have the replacement rolling...)

This whole thing is costing me a lot of time and energy haha but I guess ultimately worth it. I'm driving it to the UPS store with QR code to drop it off and my NEXT replacement will be here on Saturday.
 
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jjz2 said:
OK, so the plot thickens!

I received now the 50mm 1.8 S (the second one I ordered) and it is clearly a USED lens, not new. It even has the previous RMA on it, the lens was packed without the lens cap on it loose in the box without any wrapper, the lens hood is missing (I always use these), the pouch is missing, there is no warranty card inside, and there is a mark near the front element where the black is worn off.

Do I just shut up? Or start a return on it.

Now I'm REALLY thinking Amazon really don't have their stuff together...

(Edit: I already have the replacement rolling...)

This whole thing is costing me a lot of time and energy haha but I guess ultimately worth it. I'm driving it to the UPS store with QR code to drop it off and my NEXT replacement will be here on Saturday.
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It’s a separate order, right? Even if not, this has nothing to do with the wrong/bonus 14-30.

Hopefully you haven’t mentioned that other lens. Just process your way through this mishap as if the other thing never happened. Truly, they are not related.
 
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jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
Click to expand...
I can solve your dilemma and absolve you of your sins and even send a thank you note to Jeff Bezos.

Just send the lens to me and I will give $500 so you can buy the lens you wanted in the first place. 😂
 
jjz2 said:
OK, so the plot thickens!

I received now the 50mm 1.8 S (the second one I ordered) and it is clearly a USED lens, not new. It even has the previous RMA on it, the lens was packed without the lens cap on it loose in the box without any wrapper, the lens hood is missing (I always use these), the pouch is missing, there is no warranty card inside, and there is a mark near the front element where the black is worn off.

Do I just shut up? Or start a return on it.

Now I'm REALLY thinking Amazon really don't have their stuff together...

(Edit: I already have the replacement rolling...)

This whole thing is costing me a lot of time and energy haha but I guess ultimately worth it. I'm driving it to the UPS store with QR code to drop it off and my NEXT replacement will be here on Saturday.
Click to expand...
I would just return the 50 and tell them it was not new, and ask for a refund and go somewhere else. Seriously. The 50mm is on sale now for $500 for Mother's Day and you can get it from a reputable source like Adorama.

This is why I sort of don't buy lenses or cameras on Amazon, even though they are listed as a seller under most mfr's lists of certified resellers (although it must be Sold and Shipped by Amazon).
 
Rich Rosen said:
jjz2 said:
So I have a moral dilemma. I ordered a much cheaper lens from Amazon...for 500 bucks... and they sent me the $1300 dollar 14-30mm f4 instead...

Now, it is a lens I was planning on getting eventually, but my conscious is like...that's almost a $1,000 mistake.

Not sure if I should keep it or send it back. Is this a lucky gift? or a curse?

I think I know what I'm going to do already... but

What would you do?
Click to expand...
--The issue is very clear, you should at least notify Amazon of the mistake, and let the chips fall where they may. They may charge you the additional, or may say, “our fault, don’t worry about it. (Not likely, but you can always hope)” What you shouldn’t do is expend any funds to return the item. That includes taking it to a return center, or even Sending it back via UPS. you should in no way pay for THEIR mistake.
Rich Rosen
Click to expand...
Jesus, does ANY ONE READ?
 
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