Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
If you take it that far, it doesn't really make sense. What if they have free shipping and free returns so I order and return tens of thousands of the same product just to make them pay shipping costs? They might technically not have that in the contract but clearly I'm abusing it.
A lot of ethics are built around acting in a was that benefits everyone, but that is hard to enforce without the person at the end having good intentions. At at certain point you're arguing that murder is only unethical if you get caught, which is rediculous.
But I think people claiming "ethics" by basically saying "don't use the policy" are just as absurd. What's the point of having a generous return policy if your ethics are basically "you can never return anything"?
You are referring to theoretical possibilities rather than practical real world liabilities. If if ever came to that point, REI would be free to change their policy to something more restrictive.
As far as I know, REI likely has a system in place to flag "unusual" or "questionable" orders any way.
I don't think your claim that murder is unethical only if you get caught is in any way similar to returning a light. Or not. That much should be obvious.
Some merchants have a "no returns" policy. I'm fine with it as long as it's consistent with local, state and federal law.