I ordered something from a shop and when it arrived, part of the order was missing. I complained and they offered to send it with the next order, along with a free gift.
Is the extra gift ribbis for the delayed part?
Answer:
No, this gift is not for allowing them to hold on to your money, rather to appease you for poor service and to keep your business.
Sources:
The question of extra payment of this type [similar to your present] is discussed by a number of authorities. Some write that it is permitted to pay extra for a late salary payment, and others are stringent (see Or Zarua, Bava Metzia 181; Beis Yosef Yoreh De’ah 160; Shach 176:8; Pischei Teshuvah 161:1 citing from Chavas Yair 190).
However, the authorities ruling stringently generally refer to an extra sum that is given on a time-delay basis (the longer the delay the greater the fine), so that this has a clear ribbis connotation. In your case, it is more similar to a one-time lump payment, which is a single “fine” that is not time related. In this case, this will not be ribbis (see Yoreh De’ah 177:14).
