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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it’s tacky to try and bribe the bin men?!?

42 replies

fnuck · 21/06/2024 22:53

We’ve got a dissembled shed in the front garden at the moment which isn’t on the list of things the council will collect. DH mentioned in passing (but quite proudly) that he tried to offer the binmen some cash today to take it away off-book. They said no and I am cringing in embarrassment that he even tried. To make it even worse the amount he was going to offer them was £10! Between two people! It’s given me the ick to be honest. AIBU, is this normal?!? Or is it in fact extremely cringeworthy?

OP posts:
stayathomer · 22/06/2024 07:42

Yes cheeky but given how difficult it is getting stuff to the dump without your car slightly smelling for at least a month I think fair dues to him!!

SparkyBlue · 22/06/2024 07:40

Years ago when our binmen were council workers if you tipped well at Christmas they were great for taking extra things away during the year but a shed would still be pushing it a bit I think. Id be mortified at the tenner though

SallyWD · 22/06/2024 07:30

namechange92571 · 21/06/2024 22:57

I've offered to pay the bin men to take stuff before. But it was all stuff that's would have gone in the bin had I had space.
They took the extra stuff and refused the money. But they did accept the goodies I put out for them at Christmas!

We sometimes have extra bin bags full of rubbish or recycling that we leave next to the bin - especially at Christmas. I never thought this was a problem and wouldn't have thought to offer extra money! They just take it.

beeloubee · 22/06/2024 07:15

That's so funny because I think it only costs £25 to arrange council to collect it anyway.

Can't believe your dh thought the binmen would agree...risk losing job for £5 each..also they are on tight time schedule. I'm not surprised that you are embarrassed by him doing that lol

Aylestone · 21/06/2024 23:26

I’ve paid the binmen twice to empty my garden waste bin. One small bin, one bin man, £20 both times. I don’t think it’s unusual to ask. An entire shed for a fiver each is totally cringey though

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 21/06/2024 23:25

he didn’t offer enough. Ours take all sorts for a decent drink.

bergamotorange · 21/06/2024 23:23

YourSnugHazelTraybake · 21/06/2024 23:11

If it's wood stick it on your local Facebook page, someone will likely take it for firewood.

Shock can't put treated wood on a fire, totally toxic

spiderlight · 21/06/2024 23:20

Find your nearest allotment site and see if they have a Facebook page. Allotment people are total magpies and would be all over a free shed, however shit it may be (I say this as an allotment person who has come home gleefully bearing all manners of crap people have put out for the bins/scrappies 😁).

fnuck · 21/06/2024 23:13

thank you for all of your understanding 😂😫

@Namedand that is impressive… the sixties though! No cameras on the lorries in the sixties!

@YourSnugHazelTraybake it’s the world’s shittest plastic shed, with half the roof missing, prev owners left it, it will be in landfill for 10000 years ☹️

OP posts:
YourSnugHazelTraybake · 21/06/2024 23:11

If it's wood stick it on your local Facebook page, someone will likely take it for firewood.

Namedand · 21/06/2024 23:07

When I was a child in the 60s my Mum used to do stuff like that. We had a small garage in the side garden and a makeshift double row of slabs to drive the car over to it. Council workers were in the street for a couple of days resurfacing the road and Mum suggested to Dad to ask them for some tar.

He was mortified at the very suggestion. But my Mum went out and asked the guys to tip some into our makeshift drive. Dad arrived home from work to find my Mum raking steaming hot tar over the driveway. She actually did a really good job of it 🤣

Crystallizedring · 21/06/2024 23:06

And I strongly suspect they aren't allowed to accept money. DH works for the council and part of his job is grass cutting. Occasionally they get asked to cut something extra which they do. They aren't allowed to accept cash for it but can accept a drink or snack (it's usually shop owners who ask).
I wouldn't worry about it though, not would I be particularly bothered. Doubt the binmen are loosing any sleep over it

willowtolive · 21/06/2024 23:03

This made me laugh 😂 I'd be cringing as well 🙄 bless

AmelieTaylor · 21/06/2024 23:02

Asking wouldn't have bothered me, but offering them a tenner between them is deeply cringe.

TheTartfulLodger · 21/06/2024 23:00

Problem is there are cameras on the bin lorry so they will know if it's stuff they shouldn't be taking and the bin men could be in trouble.

namechange92571 · 21/06/2024 22:57

I've offered to pay the bin men to take stuff before. But it was all stuff that's would have gone in the bin had I had space.
They took the extra stuff and refused the money. But they did accept the goodies I put out for them at Christmas!

PashaMinaMio · 21/06/2024 22:57

It was worth a punt but very cheeky. It’s not something I’d do but I can see where he’s coming from. Don’t lose any sleep over it!

Get a mate of your DH over and between them saw it into manageable bits.
Take to local tip.
Job done.