Andy - if he's returning empty boxes, I have a problem with it too!
If he's not, and is charging the customer (and getting paid for) parts he bought but didn't use, I think there's a problem from that angle also.. but that's between him and his customers. Otherwise, it's a tax gimmick, and it's between him and "Uncle".
And Uncle doesn't like cheats...
Om topic, I get tired of the "But HD has the same thing for less..." whiners as well. On the one hand, I can't blame them. They want a product at a (perceived) fair price, and they base those prices off the TV ads and flyers in the paper. They have no idea what our costs are.
On the other hand, the same ones who pull the "cheep" card are the ones who complain about labor cost, (or total cost) , and try to nickle-and-dime you down on each item. Like Chispark, I've bought things at the box stores to "save the customer's money".
Of course, I do it at my full labor rate, and mileage.
[This message has been edited by DougW (edited 12-19-2004).]