When my aunt gave me her corporate discount code, I went on a shopping spree — now she’s furious.
The backstory and early dynamics
My aunt (42F) works in a senior position at a major clothing brand. As part of her job perks, she gets an employee discount code worth 50–75% off. One day, she sent it to me with the message: “If you need anything, here’s my employee code.”
Money has been tight for me with school, so the offer felt like a blessing. I’ve always loved the brand, and I figured she was happy to share the perk.
The moment things shifted
I placed an order — okay, maybe a few orders — and stocked up on way more than I normally would have. The discount made everything feel affordable, and I didn’t think much about the quantity since she hadn’t mentioned any limits.
But once my aunt found out how much I purchased, her tone completely changed.
The final confrontation
She was angry and said I had taken advantage of her. According to her, the discount was personal and meant to be used sparingly. She worried the company might notice the unusually large purchases and it could reflect badly on her.
I felt blindsided. She gave me the code with no restrictions — how was I supposed to know there were unspoken rules?
The fallout
Now I feel guilty. She’s upset, I’m sitting with a pile of new clothes, and I’m questioning whether I crossed a line. Was it fair game since she gave me the code? Or was I the jerk for not realizing this was a “use in moderation” situation?
What Reddit Thinks
If this post were on Reddit, reactions would likely be mixed:
- NTA (Not the Ahole):** “She literally gave you the code. If she had limits, she should’ve said so.”
- YTA (You’re the Ahole):** “Employee codes are personal perks, not meant for relatives to bulk-buy. You put her job at risk.”
- NAH (No Aholes Here):** “It sounds like miscommunication. She should’ve clarified the boundaries, and you should’ve asked before loading up.”
A Final Thought
This story raises a bigger question: when someone shares a perk with you, do they owe you clear boundaries — or do you owe them restraint?