Is NOBODY wrong in the post ? POST : Hey guys, I’m on mobile so I hope my formatting doesn’t wind up wonky. 

A couple weeks ago myself and a couple employees at my business decided that we would go into a Christmas parade. It’s a small town so there’s not any pressure to go ALL OUT, but I didn’t bother setting a budget. I’ve spent probably close to $1000 in decorations and primo candies to hand out. 

One thing I wished to buy was flags. I’m a franchise but affiliated with a big enough trademark that I could somewhat easily find some. The only problem was that I was in Canada and the company that makes them is in the States. We’re also on opposite ends of the continent. 

They confirmed they do international shipping and I accepted the quote they gave me for priority shipping through Fedex. I’ll mention here as well that the dollar exchange added another $80 on top of the price although I find it a cost of doing business. 

I checked my invoice while the package was en route and they had misprinted what I wanted. It was a similar design but not the flags I wanted. I emailed the company and they agreed to very quickly make up the correct flags (the error occurred somewhere between the rep I spoke to and the printing team) and send them my way. I wasn’t charged for them but I did have to pay duties twice, $30CAD a pop. 

The rep mentioned that she would let me know what to do with the first flags. I asked what to do with them once I received the correct flags and they would like me to send them back. 

That’s the back story. Now I’d like to know if this is where I tread on asshole territory. 

I’d like to keep the flags since they’re of nice quality and I could use them as well in the parade. I wouldn’t mind paying the actual cost of the flags plus tax, int’l credit card fees, etc, but I don’t want to pay for the shipping. It’s substantial ($175USD, I’d have to pay the exchange rate on top of it which right now is like 1.30) and to send it back would cost me another $20 anyway (cheapest rates from Canada Post, who are also on strike right now and I’m willing to bet if no packages are coming in over the border possibly before Christmas not many if any at all are going out). 

Here’s a review of costs only as far as it applies to these flags:

Initial flags that were mistakenly sent: $340CAD
Duties for flag delivery: $30CAD
Duties for 2nd flag delivery: $30CAD

Prospective costs I’m willing to offer to pay: $70USD + taxes, fees
Potential cost for their request: $20+ to ship back 
Potential cost I’m avoiding: $175USD

So WITBA to request to pay all but the shipping for the second flags?