Honesty and Online Shopping
Posted by david on December 25th, 2008
When shopping online, is it honest to use promotional/coupon codes found via Google?
Let me explain. While shopping online for Christmas gifts this year, I found that many websites had a field on the order form for promo codes. Having seen promo codes on mailers and catalogs (including the last Deseret Book catalog we received), I thought I’d search Google for promo codes of sites like Amazon.com, Best Buy, Avon, and even Deseret Book.
Amazingly, I learned that a host of websites allow people to post promo codes they learn about. I tried a few of the codes people posted and found they worked! I could save 5% or more off the total price or get free shipping.
But then I started to wonder if this was completely honest. One could argue they are like coupons you use in the grocery store. I see no problem with clipping and sharing coupons. Manufacturers typically print a fixed number of coupons in various geographic markets to encourage people to buy their products in retail stores. They don’t allow copies of coupons, only originals. Manufacturers then track the redemption rate to see how effective the coupons were and adapt their marketing campaigns accordingly.
However, promo codes are not exactly like traditional coupons. The main difference lies in the fact that promo codes can be so easily copied and distributed electronically. If a manufacturer or retailer develops a promotional campaign and wants to track its effectiveness, sharing promo codes online can skew the results. For example, if a company advertises on a radio program and encourages listeners of the program to use a particular promo code on the company’s website, sharing the code with non-listeners could artificially inflate the success of the radio ad program.
In a 2004 General Conference address, Elder Wirthlin reminded us that “We are a people of integrity. We believe in honoring our debts and being honest in our dealings with our fellow men.” Am I overthinking this? Is it OK to use any promo codes I can find online because manufacturers know they can be easily copied and shared? Or should I restrict my use to only those codes I receive or hear about in an ad?
I’m conflicted….
Do you really think that the retailers are NOT aware that their promo codes are being used in this manner? Have their been any lawsuits from retailers about ‘promo sharing websites’? I believe that you are over-thinking this.
Here is another one for you: Are you willing to purchase something online that you believe MUST be in error (to low)?
Comment # 1 left by ed42 on December 25th, 2008
I think it all depends on the intended audience.
Normal promo codes like what you’re talking about are just like coupons in my mind and sharing them is not dishonest. The retailers and manufacturers are still making money and perhaps even more from people who might not have bought if there weren’t a deal. Even though you may not have gotten the code firsthand, they were given to the general public and yes, the retailers are not oblivious and don’t try or intend to stop the sharing (why would they?).
On the other hand, many of those same websites have codes that were meant to be handed out to only select individuals, usually as a reward for past purchases. These are not printed in fliers or used in radio or other advertisements, they are given directly to existing customers.
Since those codes were not meant for the general public, using them if you were not part of the original intended audience seems dishonest to me
For a time while I was in college, I got big into finding great promo codes but I started to realize that more and more of the codes I was finding were of the second type, not the first, so eventually I stopped using any because I was no longer sure which were which. Several friends did not and occasionally found themselves with cancelled orders or in a few cases, legal threats if they did not return the merchandise.
Conclusion: if the codes were given to the general public, you are part of that general public, geographic disparities aside. If you don’t know/can’t tell, its probably best to avoid using them.
Comment # 2 left by Robert V. on December 25th, 2008
“Am I overthinking this?”
Yep.
Comment # 3 left by Geoff J on December 28th, 2008
The solution to your conflict lies within your post. The phrase “host of websites allow people to post promo codes” answers your question. If these websites wanted to block this practice, they would have blocking mechanisms in place, just like those who run Internet polls have blocking mechanisms to prevent respondents from voting more than once.
If you still feel conflicted after exploiting these promo codes, you can always choose to share the savings with the Lord from time to time by bumping up your fast offering contribution, or perhaps by making a special contribution to the missionary fund.
Comment # 4 left by The Jack Mormon on December 29th, 2008
Yeah, I think you are way over thinking this also.
Comment # 5 left by Eric Nielson on December 29th, 2008