Lachhman Singh has recently purchased a costly wristwatch through an internet site. He was to send a cheque by post, but the wristwatch has been sent, even though he has genuinely forgotten to send the cheque. On top of it, he receives the wristwatch by courier with sticker ‘paid’ on the package.
What are the options before Lachhman Singh in this case?
1. Make the payment immediately
2. Seek a clarification from the company as to whether he is getting the watch under some scheme and make payment when company asks for it.
3. Just ignore the matter.
4. Retain the ‘paid’ sticker with him and create a controversy on that basis when company seeks payment.
Lachhman Singh need not make that payment immediately since there is no demand---due to an error---from the company.
The second alternative is the most appropriate one. Some employee of the company has for sure made a mistake. This has created some confusion. By writing to thecompany,Lachhman Singh can clear up the matter. He knows that he has to make a payment. He will be bringing the error to the company’s notice.
Lachhman Singh can ignore the matter for the time being. But sooner or later the company will realise the mistake and ask him to pay. This is not a sensible choice.
The last alternative is totally unacceptable. Lachhman Singh should not take advantage of an error to deprive the company of payment. Although he may raise a dispute, he will not succeed in establishingthat he had made the payment.