Would you return this?

[crunchy_mommy]

So I bought a pretty foaming soap dispenser from TJMaxx. I usually don't buy things like this (i.e. 'nice things') so it was a bit of a splurge. I almost returned it before even opening it.

We used it for one day, then it broke.

How it broke was, the thing was sliding all over the counter. So I picked it up to see what was making it do that. The top fell apart from the bottom & the bottom (acrylic) crashed to the ground and broke.

So. Yeah, technically my fault, but shouldn't it stay together & not slide around? I've never had a soap dispenser that didn't stay together, I've always picked them up by the top. Part of me wants to bring it back & exchange it & the other part says I'm only even considering that since this was a splurge, and it was clearly my fault that it broke. Plus I'm thinking if it broke that easily, we'd probably break the replacement one too eventually so I shouldn't bother.

WWYD? I guess I'm looking more for ethical advice, not whether the store would take it back.

[busymama77]

To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. As it may have been a splurge, I would toss it and buy something that I'm more familiar with and move on.

Buying things like that and those reed diffusers are a 'splurge' for me as well and having something break so soon after buying it makes me sick. But I don't want to have to deal with going back to the store and dealing with it again.

[sweetjasmine]

I would just throw it away and say lesson learned. Because believe me, I have splurged like that more times than I care to remember, lol! And speaking of the reed diffusers, I bought some last year only because I went along with a coworker shopping at lunch. She bought some so I did. Now isn't that the dumbest reason to throw away your hard earned money? After I'd had it awhile I decided I didn't even like it so when the oil eventually evaporated I threw it out.

[zebra15]

It sounds like the top part was not screwed on tightly and when you picked it up by the pump part the bottom fell off. That's happened to me in the past, however lesson learned here and I ONLY buy plastic soap dispensers now.

No I wouldn't take it back, because I know how TJMAXX is and I don't want the hassle of trying to convince them to take something shattered back. Now if its just a crack or minor break maybe, but probably not. TJMAXX is pretty cheap on housewares to begin with .

[crunchy_mommy]

Well it wasn't the screw on part. The top screws on to the bottom & that was tight - but there are 2 parts to the top & the top of the top fell off from the bottom of the top. Hahaha that makes no sense. Oh well. I suppose you all are right, lesson learned, don't buy nice things & don't waste my money!!!

[texmati]

I would!!! I had a soap dispenser that I bought at marshalls rust when it was near water (like at the sink)! I had already lost the receipt, otherwise I would have marched my butt up there an returned it. If something is defective, it needs to be returned!

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

If you really feel like it was the store's fault that it broke (shoddy design, mismarketing) then you should return it.

But if you broke it, then you should just count yourself lucky that ~you~ learned this lesson and not one of your kids. They could have cut themselves on the broken pieces. Buy plastic or wood from now on.

It IS very ethical of you to think about this question. So many people would just return it without a second thought.

[VisionaryMom]

Well, I'm always telling my kids not to pick things up from the top, so I wouldn't take it back! I don't think I quite understand the design, but I can't imagine that I would take something back in the situation you're describing.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

If you really feel like it was the store's fault that it broke (shoddy design, mismarketing) then you should return it.

Isn't she saying that the bottom fell out of the jar?

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by texmati

Isn't she saying that the bottom fell out of the jar?

OK let me try again

There is the pump part & the jar part. The pump screws onto the jar (and was tightly screwed on). What happened is that part of the pump separated from the rest of the pump (so the part screwed onto the jar fell off from the top part of the pump). I think it's just very poorly designed... maybe not technically defective... might have helped if they tested the product a few times before selling it

[Irishmommy]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

OK let me try again

There is the pump part & the jar part. The pump screws onto the jar (and was tightly screwed on). What happened is that part of the pump separated from the rest of the pump (so the part screwed onto the jar fell off from the top part of the pump). I think it's just very poorly designed... maybe not technically defective... might have helped if they tested the product a few times before selling it

With that info, I'd return it.

[Mulvah]

I would return it and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

[Ruthla]

I would return it, and not for an even exchange. If I couldn't get my money back, I'd want a store credit and use the credit for a completely unrelated item (such as clothing for myself.)

[midstreammama]

I would return it, as well. I will almost always try to return broken things. Companies usually expect you to, I think. I wouldn't think twice about it.

[nola79]

I would return it.

[lilyka]

i would return it but would be ok with them saying no. It does sound like there was something wonky with it.

[sapphire_chan]

Return it and if they give you grief, make them get a manager. According to customerssuck.com 9 times out of 10 a manager will cave on even obviously wrong refunds, so with a legitimate complaint like this you'll be bound to get one.

[p.s]

3 questions:
can you return it?
should you return it?
is it worth the effort to return?

[ltlmrs]

I don't think there is anything morally wrong to return the product. Honestly, I don't see there being anything morally wrong in returning any product to a corporation that has a return policy; even if you just changed your mind, but especially if the product was defective. I do think taking advantage of a small local business is wrong, but I would feel no guilt over TJMaxx or some similar place.

I think the reason people feel guilty over returning things is because they have personified corporations and forget that unlike an independent business owner you do not have a relationship with the corporation that makes you responsible for anything other than the contract you engaged in when purchasing the item. The return policy of that store is part of the contract that the stores voluntarily put in place.

That said, is it worth your time and effort?