Assuming I'm right about what this instrument is...
...would it be dishonest if I didn't tell the person I bought it from that she undercharged me because of the identification error?
This is what I have.
This is an antique clarinet.
This is a soprano sax.
Here is the story:
I saw the instrument on a shelf at a music store that was technically closed, but since the owner was a friend, she let me in. I didn't get a chance to examine it thoroughly, but was so intrigued by it that I gave her twenty dollars to hold it for me.
A few weeks later, I found out that I would be moving, so the day before I left, I had her deliver it, and I gave her the rest of the money. She had told me that it was an antique metal clarinet. I didn't get a chance to play with it because I was packing.
Today, I got settled in, pulled it out of the case, started playing it, and realized that it did not have the same fingering as my other clarinet. In fact, it felt more like my saxophone. I decided to look it up to see if my suspicions were correct, and found the images I posted above.
Having identified that this instrument is probably actually a soprano sax, not a clarinet, I am sure I was undercharged for it. I would compare this to a situation in which a teller at the store hands someone back too much change, and the person has to decide whether to pocket it or return it.
I don't want to return my instrument, but I don't want to rip anyone off. I'm thinking about texting her tomorrow morning to let her know, so I can at least pay her what it's worth if she decides she has been accidentally wronged.
What do you think? Is my conscience right, or should I just let it go and be pleased with the blessing?
This is what I have. This is an antique clarinet. This is a soprano sax.Here is the story:
I saw the instrument on a shelf at a music store that was technically closed, but since the owner was a friend, she let me in. I didn't get a chance to examine it thoroughly, but was so intrigued by it that I gave her twenty dollars to hold it for me.
A few weeks later, I found out that I would be moving, so the day before I left, I had her deliver it, and I gave her the rest of the money. She had told me that it was an antique metal clarinet. I didn't get a chance to play with it because I was packing.
Today, I got settled in, pulled it out of the case, started playing it, and realized that it did not have the same fingering as my other clarinet. In fact, it felt more like my saxophone. I decided to look it up to see if my suspicions were correct, and found the images I posted above.
Having identified that this instrument is probably actually a soprano sax, not a clarinet, I am sure I was undercharged for it. I would compare this to a situation in which a teller at the store hands someone back too much change, and the person has to decide whether to pocket it or return it.
I don't want to return my instrument, but I don't want to rip anyone off. I'm thinking about texting her tomorrow morning to let her know, so I can at least pay her what it's worth if she decides she has been accidentally wronged.
What do you think? Is my conscience right, or should I just let it go and be pleased with the blessing?
Total Comments 11
Comments
-
In my opinion, being that the business owner mistakenly identified the instrument in question it falls on them. The kicker is that you bought this from a friend that had a store, so you are in a pickle. I would let her know that she had mislabeled the instrament, but I would be surprised if she insisted that you paid any difference. If she was happy at the price that it was sold at, she made a profitPosted 01-11-2010 at 01:40 AM by Drake
- She made the mistake and suffers a consequence from it ignorantly. :)Posted 01-11-2010 at 01:57 AM by Haruhi Suzumiya
- Agree with the two above. I've had a cashier give me 20 dollars back instead of 5. I kept it. Which means your moral support should not come from me.Posted 01-11-2010 at 02:01 AM by εmptε
-
Interesting. Including me, here's the current census on whether Snail should contact the owner:
Aye: INFP, INFJ
Nay: ENTJ, ENTP, ENTP
It would be cool to see if this trend continues. :)Posted 01-11-2010 at 02:24 AM by Selene -
i find that people who have these types of questions arn't looking for advice but validation. your first instinct was to get a hold of her and let her know about the mistake. i think you're right. at the very least you get it off your chest and have proven to be an honest person. this has more value than the difference in price in my opinion.
ENTPPosted 01-11-2010 at 02:24 AM by reyesaaronringo
Updated 01-11-2010 at 02:27 AM by reyesaaronringo (had to add ENTP.) -
Okay. My conscience won. I just texted the lady who sold it to me. It was the first thing I felt compelled to do upon waking, even before I bathed or got dressed. My ISTJ dad told me I shouldn't, which surprised me... He may be the most honest person I have ever known, so I expected him to say I should "do the right thing." His values are usually just as strong as mine.
The friend texted me back and said we should research it a bit more, to determine its actual value.Posted 01-11-2010 at 09:09 AM by snail 
-
Heh. If I didn't know the store owner I would just say too bad, they made a mistake. Since it's your friend, I would have told them out of interest's sake (and also to show I'm a smartass because I knew immediately what instrument it was :P), but only if I didn't think they would demand I pay more for it. If I thought they were the kind of person who would turn around and decide they wanted more money, after completing a mutually satisfactory exchange, then I don't see why they should get the benefit of my knowledge of instuments.
I guess I'm just one more T following the trend. :PPosted 01-11-2010 at 03:25 PM by gnat - :D You haven't met me snail but if you did I'd be the most honest person you met. Let's keep in mind that honesty just means not lying, and has nothing to do with morals. : ) and I don't lie. If your friend would have called me and ask I would have told her, but its not dishonest to not tell her.
I have a very flexible moral system.Posted 01-11-2010 at 05:10 PM by εmptε - Ah. loopholes. I used to love playing with those when I was a child. My mom encouraged it, because it required creativity and problem-solving skills.Posted 01-11-2010 at 08:55 PM by snail
-
This is how it sounds. I'm not very good at it yet, but I can tell that it is going to sound really nice once I get used to it.Posted 01-11-2010 at 11:38 PM by snail -
It looks really coolPosted 01-12-2010 at 05:40 AM by Surreal Breakfast
