Reply #26: It depends on the situation

[saras]

I throw stuff away and write it off. Maybe mention it later, maybe not.
I take stuff back for a refund. Usually get it.
I take stuff back to tell them there's a process problem. May or may not get a refund.
I quit using that store, or quit buying that product there.
Worst case, I mailed it to corporate headquarters (hamburger, back in the seventies).

I also check a lot of food before buying or eating it that I didn't used to check first.

Basically I view doing SOMETHING about it as a civic responsibility, that I can't just write off because it's inconvenient. The question then becomes "what is actually effective?" Writing it off isn't ever effective, so it always leaves me feeling wrong.