Computer Parts Supplier

If money was credited back for a computer purchase by a major corporation am I obliged to return it?

I bought a brand new laptop from a VERY large supplier recently. The money was taken from my account at the end of June, with the machine arriving at the start of July. However, about 4 weeks later the money was creditied back onto my credit card for some reason. During this time (and about a month afterwards) I had been complaining I was dissatisfied with the screen and arranged 3 times to take possession of a replacement part, only for the part not to show. On one occasion a courier even arrived to pick up the faulty part without bringing its replacement. Anyway, I happened to check my CC, and noticed the money had returned to my account. Needless to to say, I shut up about the screen (although they hadn't contacted me in weeks at that point) Fast forward about 8 week to today, where I received a phonecall from an Indian representative who asked me when I intended to pay for the machine. When i replied that I already had she backtracked and confessed they may have made a mistake and not charged me.... She sent me a blank eMail which I suspect is to start a paper trail, but she didn't actually ask me for payment today. Anyway, moral judgements aside, am I legally obliged to stump up the money, or is their some sort of statute of limitations on their mistake? £2000 (~$3600) is a lot of money, and I was delighted to receive it back! :)

Public Comments

1. Yes, either return it or legally they can take the money from your credit card again, absent any written notification they are giving you a full refund AND that you can keep the equipment.