Hypothetical question

[Tinkermommy]

No, but she told me it was the one they definitely agreed on. It's a small-ish business with around 15 employees.

She called him because that is the natural thing to do, get authorization. But the way it sounds, there is no way he would have said no.

I think many people are misunderstanding me in thinking the boss didn't want this machine. He wanted it, the exact model, and planned on getting it and everything. Just not "today". But then again, when he said "No" to her, he said it thinking it was going to cost $4,000.

I have to disagree with you. The boss may have told her "later" just to avoid talking about it. And purchasing this $300 copier may have voided other contracts/service agreements he/she already had in place.

While it stinks that she dished out $300 for a copier, I have to think it was not in pristine working order or had some kind of problem if new ones go for $4k.

There are resale office equipment places/ebay and other wholesale supply places you can get deals on used equipment so I think the boss was no really wanting to buy a new copier anytime soon otherwise he/she would have investigated other options besides a brand new $4,000 copier.

As for feeling bad, what does it matter? It seems as if you want the boss to own part of this situation when he/she had nothing at all to do with it.

 

[nile455]

While it stinks that she dished out $300 for a copier, I have to think it was not in pristine working order or had some kind of problem if new ones go for $4k.

It was already pointed out in the original post that the machine was in perfect condition.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No, but she told me it was the one they definitely agreed on. It's a small-ish business with around 15 employees.

She called him because that is the natural thing to do, get authorization. But the way it sounds, there is no way he would have said no.

I think many people are misunderstanding me in thinking the boss didn't want this machine. He wanted it, the exact model, and planned on getting it and everything. Just not "today". But then again, when he said "No" to her, he said it thinking it was going to cost $4,000.

Disagree totally. He said no, the end. Trying to justify the decision is speculation on your part.

I don't think I would want a 4000 printer that is not under warranty. That is silly.

I would speculate that the boss would have said "no" to the 300 dollar purchase of the machine for other reasons. You are assuming.

 

[nile455]

I don't think I would want a 4000 printer that is not under warranty. That is silly.

Personally, I'd jump at the chance to own a $4,000 machine for $300 if it checked out and worked perfectly.

 

[nile455]

As for feeling bad, what does it matter? It seems as if you want the boss to own part of this situation when he/she had nothing at all to do with it.

I never said the boss is responsible. All I said is that it is a terrible situation for everyone involved. If I'm the boss, I would feel terrible about it. Loyal secretary going out of her way on a Saturday afternoon, spending $300 of her own money for something the office needs, only to have two movers destroy it.

 

[Magic Mom]

It was already pointed out in the original post that the machine was in perfect condition.

HOw can you know that? If it was a fire sale, the salesperson would have likely said anything to unload it, because the business was probably going under. It was being sold for less than 10% of its original price. It could have been a floor model or a return. There is no way of knowing.

 

[nile455]

HOw can you know that? If it was a fire sale, the salesperson would have likely said anything to unload it, because the business was probably going under. It was being sold for less than 10% of its original price. It could have been a floor model or a return. There is no way of knowing.

Because this is her area and she knows a lot about them. She checked out everything, tested all the features etc.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would never in a million years presume to purchase something for somebody else without fully accepting that I might eat the cost myself.

So, yes, the secretary is out of luck, no question in my mind.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Imagine this scenario:

An office secretary has been asking her boss for a new copy machine for months. A certain one that costs $4,000.

Boss keeps saying "I know we need it, but business is not good and we just cannot afford to spend $4,000 on anything right now. Hopefully soon."

One Saturday afternoon, the secretary spots a perfectly working machine at a nearby fire sale for the ridiculous price of $300, and incredibly it's the exact same $4,000 model the office was planning to get eventually.

Unable to get a hold of her boss at that moment, and afraid someone else will snatch it up, secretary decides to purchase it herself with the assumption she will be reimbursed. She figures at just $300, it will make a great surprise when her boss comes in Monday morning.

She then calls a friend that owes her a big favor. This person owns a truck and has experience moving large items, and he agrees to move the machine for her with the help of another friend, free of charge.

The two men load the copy machine into the truck and move it to the office. After arriving at the office, the two men start unloading the machine when something goes terribly wrong and the machine comes loose and rolls off the truck, crashing down to the ground. It is totaled beyond repair!

The question is, which of the three people should eat the money? The secretary, the movers, or the boss?

I never said the boss is responsible. All I said is that it is a terrible situation for everyone involved. If I'm the boss, I would feel terrible about it. Loyal secretary going out of her way on a Saturday afternoon, spending $300 of her own money for something the office needs, only to have two movers destroy it.

I have read all your posts and cannot see where or why the boss would feel awkward, terrible or even guilty about this situation.

Even if he did want the copier, he did not authorize this purchase. It was done completely without his knowledge, including hiring unauthorized people to move it.

The secretary was quite presumptuous in making this large of an unauthorized purchase.

I would add that not only is the secretary responsible for the money she spent for "her" copier, but that she is extremely lucky that these unauthorized movers didn't hurt themselves or do damage to the building when the copier rolled off the truck. What if somebody was walking behind the truck when they dropped the copier and was hurt? Who would be liable for the damage?

She was creating a liability for the company by hiring non professional movers on behalf of the company's name if one of them had been hurt or they damaged the property or even hurt somebody else when this copier rolled off the truck.

Also, who would have been responsible for the building damage if the copier had rolled off the truck and rolled right through the glass doors? What if it had damaged a car next to the truck? What if they had dropped it in the hallway of the building and tore through some drywall?

If I were the boss, not only would I not feel terrible for the secretary, I would actually be rather irritated with her for overstepping her authority and compromising the small company by not only making an unauthorized purchase in the name of the company, but more so for hiring non bonded, non professional movers.

She knew the company was struggling financially, why spend unauthorized dollars, even if it was a good deal?

And who ate the expense of disposing of this now $300 paperweight?

 

[Luvchefmic]

I read the thread but maybe I missed it ? Did the secretary tell her boss after the fact that she bought it & it got destroyed?

If I was the secretary I would not have made the purchase & having done so I would eat the money laid out for it...I would feel like a fool even telling the boss about it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Personally, I'd jump at the chance to own a $4,000 machine for $300 if it checked out and worked perfectly.

I might do it personally, but not for my business that was struggling. You are way off here.

 

[Magic Mom]

Because this is her area and she knows a lot about them. She checked out everything, tested all the features etc.

Unles she is a copier technician, she can't really know if a 4000.00 copier being sold at a 92% discount is in new working order.

 

[nile455]

Unles she is a copier technician, she can't really know if a 4000.00 copier being sold at a 92% discount is in new working order.

That is your assumption. Please don't change the fact that was already laid out - She is a professional, and knows the machines, tested it completely. Your opinion on her competence level has nothing to do with it.

 

[nile455]

I have read all your posts and cannot see where or why the boss would feel awkward, terrible or even guilty about this situation.

Even if he did want the copier, he did not authorize this purchase. It was done completely without his knowledge, including hiring unauthorized people to move it.

The secretary was quite presumptuous in making this large of an unauthorized purchase.

I would add that not only is the secretary responsible for the money she spent for "her" copier, but that she is also extremely lucky that these unauthorized movers didn't hurt themselves or do damage to the building when the copier rolled off the truck.

She was creating a liability for the company by hiring non professional movers on behalf of the company's name if one of them had been hurt or they damaged the property or even hurt somebody else when this copier rolled off the truck.

Also, who would have been responsible for the building damage if the copier had rolled off the truck and rolled right through the glass doors? What if it had damaged a car next to the truck? What if they had dropped it in the hallway of the building and tore through some drywall?

If I were the boss, not only would I not feel terrible for the secretary, I would actually be rather irritated with her for overstepping her authority and compromising the small company by not only making an unauthorized purchase in the name of the company, but more so for hiring non bonded, non professional movers.

She knew the company was struggling financially, why spend unauthorized dollars, even if it was a good deal?

And who ate the expense of disposing of this now $300 paperweight?

You make good points, and make no mistake, I agreed that the secretary should eat the money. I already stated that earlier in the thread. But I also feel it is a very unusual and crappy predicament for the 3-party "triangle".

By the way, I don't think she has told the boss yet. She hadn't as of a few days ago.

 

[marlynnp]

The secretary!

And she should be glad that the only thing damaged was the copier. Imagine if they damaged the office - broken door, hole in wall, etc.

 

[Magic Mom]

I'm not debating that she knows how to test the features. I'm saying she can't know that it wasn't a floor model or a return or a refab and the fact that it was that cheap should have been a red flag that something may have been wrong with it.

 

[Magic Mom]

You make good points, and make no mistake, I agreed that the secretary should eat the money. I already stated that earlier in the thread. But I also feel it is a very unusual and crappy predicament for the 3-party "triangle".

By the way, I don't think she has told the boss yet. She hadn't as of a few days ago.

Really it's oinly crappy for the secretary.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I'm not debating that she knows how to test the features. I'm saying she can't know that it wasn't a floor model or a return or a refab and the fact that it was that cheap should have been a red flag that something may have been wrong with it.

Brings up the old adage - if something seems to be too good to be true, it usually is.

A $4,000 copier in absolutely perfect working order just happens to priced at $300.00 - way too good to be true.

 

[nile455]

Really it's oinly crappy for the secretary.

Yeah, I'm sure her mover friend doesn't feel the least bit bad about completely destroying the machine.

 

[pioneer89]

Secretary.

BUT... If I were her boss, and she's known for making intelligent choices in the past, AND she's expected to show initiative in her job, I'd pay her back.