Question

Pat Jones is a college student who is planning some networking opportunities for the current l semester. Pat wanted to look

professional for these events and felt a new suit would be a real benefit; however, the cost for the first event ended up being $75 which was a strain on the budget. Pat did not want to attend the remaining three events in the same outfit, so a new strategy was developed. Instead of paying for new suits in cash, Pat decided to charge the suits on a credit card, wear them to the events, and then return them the next day for full credit.

1. Do you feel Pat's new strategy is ethical? Why or why not? Could there be any consequences with this strategy?
2. How will this new strategy impact the company/companies where the suits are purchased?
3. What journal entry/entries would the company have to record related to the return of the suit?

Answer 1

1. I feel like Pat's new strategy isn't ethical. Pat doesn't pay for the suits; he just buys them and then returns them. Pat benefits, but the store he gets the suits from doesn't. In fact, they are harmed from this transaction because they are unable to have the suit for others to buy while Pat has it. There could be consequences with this strategy. For example, the suit might be damaged, and Pat won't be able to return it. Another problem is that others might find out about Pat's strategy, and they might view them as unprofessional. This is a problem for Pat since the reason Pat wore those suits was to look professional.

2. The stores are harmed from this transaction. They are unable to sell the suits to other buyers. The stores lose potential customers, so the stores lose potential money.

3. The companies should record that Pat had bought the suit only to return it the next day, so that they can act accordingly when Pat or someone else comes back to "buy" a suit.

Step-by-step explanation: