Certified Texas Contract Manager Practice Exam

What does confirming a shipment that is delivered in error allow an agency to do?

1. Request a discount from the vendor

2. Refuse the shipment

3. Store the items for future use

4. Send the items back without confirmation

The correct answer is: Refuse the shipment

Confirming a shipment that is delivered in error allows an agency to refuse the shipment. When a delivery is confirmed as being in error, it acknowledges that the received items do not match the purchase order or agreement made with the vendor. This confirmation provides the agency with the authoritative basis to reject the shipment formally, ensuring that they do not take possession of items that were not ordered or are incorrect in some way. Refusing the shipment means that the agency can prevent any further obligations regarding payment for these goods, thereby avoiding any potential complications that could arise from incorrectly accepting them. Additionally, refusing the shipment can prompt the vendor to correct the issue and arrange for the return of the incorrect items. The other choices may seem plausible but typically don't apply after confirming an erroneous shipment. For instance, requesting a discount would imply some level of acceptance of the items, which contradicts the act of refusing them. Storing the items for future use suggests acceptance of the delivery, while sending items back without confirmation may not have the proper documentation or authority backing the return, complicating the situation with the vendor.