'Where there is a will, there is a way': Customer complies with company's demands to return faulty product after they refuse to reimburse him, leading to company losing hundreds

Author image for Sienna Varady
Sienna Varady
Feb 8, 2024 8:00 PM EST

It's nearly impossible to stay up to date with technology. The rate at which the world changes is almost unfathomable. However, what happens if you deliberately select outdated technology to guarantee a smooth transition, only to be left with a dysfunctional device?

The story that follows tells the account of a son who purchases a flip phone for his elderly father. OP chooses an easy-to-manage cellphone for his father, who can no longer keep up with the rapid advancements in technology. However, after receiving the phone, OP finds out that the product he purchased is defective, so he storms into the convenience store and demands his money back. Reluctantly admitting to having sold a defective product, the sales associates decline to cover the cost of the purchase and insist that OP ship the item via the mail and bear the accompanying charges.

As you may have guessed by now, OP was not happy with the way the situation was handled and devised a crafty scheme to exact revenge on the cell company. That being said, if you're interested in learning more about what occurred between OP and the cell company as well as how OP got even, read the story below! When you're finished, don't forget to read the story about the web developer who leaves the company high and dry after management shuts down his concerns!

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  • 01
    "Revenge is a dish best served cold..."
    via Canva
  • 02
    Cell Phone Company Tries To Keep My Money
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 03
    I purchased a flip phone for my elderly father from one of those companies that only cater to older adults. His phone stopped working so I asked for a replacement. I was told that phone is no longer sold but there is a new version. I ordered the
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 04
    new phone. It worked for about a month and a couple of days then stopped. When I called customer service the rep told me it is a known issue with the new version. I asked to have another phone sent but was told the 30 day warranty expired. I
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 05
    asked if this is a known issue then why aren't you sending replacements. She said she didn't know. The rep did some troubleshooting. It worked for a day then stopped again. I reached out to corporate and they refused to replace the phone. I asked for a
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 06
    refund for the phone and a refund for the last month I was charged. They flat-out refused to refund my last bill. Corporate told me to return the phone. Meaning I would have to pay the shipping cost.
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 07
    After sending complaints to the Better Business Bureau, the FTC, the district attorney and posting about my experience on Google and Yelp they FINALLY sent me a return shipping label. They did refuse to refund the last month
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 08
    even though my Dad had, with their own admission, only used the phone for a couple of days the last month. Cue malicious compliance. So I sent the phone in the box it came in. I also double boxed it &
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 09
    packed it with a ton of stuffing. I overloaded it so much you can barely see the box the phone is in. I made sure that box was ridiculously heavy. You will pay for the last month even if it's through your return label.
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 10
    Paul_Michaels73. 10 hr. ago I'd have sent them a few dozen extra phones, by which I mean bricks.
    via u/Paul_Michaels73
  • 11
    Advanced_Parsnip . 10 hr. ago Just the battery from a first generation mobile phone, remember the ones that had the satchel to hold the motorcycle battery that powered it.
    via u/Advanced_Parsnip
  • 12
    Had a buddy back then with one, he lost it at a party. How do you loose a 15 pound bag when you don't even drink?
    via u/Advanced_Parsnip
  • 13
    Fixerguy415 4 hr. ago Pro tip: I use roofing shingles for that application. That one trick got my off most junk mail lists in the days when they sent postage paid reply envelopes with their garbage.
    via u/Fixerguy415
  • 14
    Tahiti1114 OP. 2 hr. ago Nice! I'll remember that.
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 15
    EightBitTrash 10 hr. ago What did your mailman ever do to you? Ⓒ was this visible by chance? had something similar happen to me
    via u/EightBitTrash
  • 16
    BlackWidow7d · 1 hr. ago My dad used to send credit card offers back with a brick attached. It's dangerous sending anything that says "postage paid"
    via u/BlackWidow7d
  • 17
    Wooden-Emotion-9875. 9 hr. ago If that box weighed less than (x# of pounds) you miss an opportunity.
    via u/Wooden-Emotion-9875
  • 18
    perfctgrammer 2 hr. ago All your "malicious" compliance did was make some bottom- barrel employee work harder than they had to. Your overweight package did nothing to the company.
    via u/perfctgrammer
  • 19
    (D Tahiti1114 OP . 2 hr. ago Not true. The company has to pay for the return based on the weight of the parcel. As for the 'bottom of the barrel' employee, lifting one heavy box all day doesn't equate to hard work. It's part of their job.
    via u/Tahiti1114
  • 20
    Chastity Censored Beta 3 hr. ago I would've used pea gravel or sand as packing material
    via u/ChastityCensoredBeta
  • 21
    stannc00 4 hr. ago A complaint to the FCC is also the way to go. You can still do it even if you're no longer a customer with the company.
    via u/stannc00
  • 22
    Tahiti1114 OP · 2 hr. ago I filed a complaint with them too. My bases were covered lol
    via u/Tahiti1114

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Like a Boss feud drama malicious compliance retail malicious-compliance-reddit technology gift goals reddit story petty revenge petty tales-from-retail Reddit vintage karen
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