Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to “steal” this?

940 replies

AmiABadPersonn · 24/06/2024 20:43

Hello everyone I just want your opinions on this as today I’ve been in a heated argument with my friend as to wether I am unreasonable or not.

I am off work on maternity leave so the funds are tight at minute. There is a man who lives near me I believe he is drug user, he sells half price stuff and also takes orders on what you want for half price. He knocks on my house about 1 or 2 times a week with a bag of half price goods. I always buy washing detergent and softeners from him because you can get a whole weeks laundry of the nice brands for around £10. Money is tight as I have just had a baby and I have 2 other children with my husband also. i also sometimes get baby milk formula from him if I’m running low because it’s cheap.

I feel like this is not wrong because if I didn’t buy it other people would. Even if no one bought it he would steal it anyway in hopes someone would buy it eventually.

Today my friend was at my house when he came so I offered her to have a look what he had. She immediately asked him where he got this stuff from and he replied “shop”. She didn’t say much after but when I finished buying my items she started shouting about how I’m funding his drugs addiction and I shouldn’t support it because I am now stealing too. I told her to relax it’s fine it’s only a couple of items. She didn’t say much and finished her coffee and left quick.

So am I morally wrong for this? Or would you do the same?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
boredm · 24/06/2024 20:57

It isn't wrong to do this

Comedycook · 24/06/2024 20:57

I buy a box of laundry powder from Lidl or Aldi...it costs me about £4 and lasts me a month. I do about three loads a day

WinterMorn · 24/06/2024 20:56

AffIt · 24/06/2024 20:48

Yes. What you're doing is utterly indefensible.

You're no better than a thief yourself, you just don't have the balls to walk into Sainsbury's and lift it yourself.

This. What you are doing is awful and you have no excuse.

Sirzy · 24/06/2024 20:56

For £10.50 you can get an 80 wash box of daz from Asda. Less for their own brands. Assuming your not doing 11 loads a day then your £10 can stretch much further!

RandomUsernameHere · 24/06/2024 20:55

I know this isn't the point of the thread, but no way in a million years would I give a baby milk purchased from a suspected drug addict.

RampantIvy · 24/06/2024 20:55

If you are struggling financially I think you can get help with getting formula. Your health visitor might be able to advise.

I would be worried that the formula you buy from him is OK.

Did you breastfeed before starting formula? No judgement as I did both, but I remember the midwife at ante natal classes giving one of the reasons that breastfeeding was so good was because it is free.

viques · 24/06/2024 20:55

Fishcake15 · 24/06/2024 20:46

Moral compass goes out of the window when you need and can't afford baby milk.

If she bought cheaper own branded washing powder she could afford the milk, but she likes the stolen expensive one.

Sillystrumpet · 24/06/2024 20:55

tenner a week on laundry chemicals though, 40 quid a month and that’s knock off? How much laundry are you doing?

but buying stolen baby milk is so bad. However if you’re poor you’re poor.

ladyofshertonabbas · 24/06/2024 20:54

hang on, a tenner a week on laundry? Just… out less in and buy it from a shop?

Vallmo47 · 24/06/2024 20:53

Ignoring the fact that it’s illegal and morally wrong, how on earth could you buy baby milk from a random man off the street - what if it’s been tampered with?!! I’m sorry but that’s a possibility. No way no way should you carry on doing this, your friend is right.

easylikeasundaymorn · 24/06/2024 20:53

Bordersgarage · 24/06/2024 20:47

I don’t know how you’ve rationalised that if no-one bought it, he’d still steal it.

Thats just nonsense - if no-one bought it, why would he steal it?

Whichever way you cut it, what you’re doing is morally wrong, and probably illegal.

this.
If he's got 10 people willing to buy half price laundry stuff off him he will steal 10 loads of detergent a week. He won't steal 10 loads of detergent a week every week if nobody is buying it off him, in the hope that one day someone will be like 'I'm desperate for 800 laundry capsules!'

If you can afford £10 a week on the 'nice' laundry brands (seriously HOW??? I spend about £3 a month on laundry stuff) you clearly aren't desperate, or you'd be buying the normal version for £2 a bottle.

viques · 24/06/2024 20:52

You are encouraging theft , you are supporting drug dealers, you are possibly contributing to someone’s business going under because their profits are walking out of the door.

Buy cheap washing powder and stop having babies if you can’t afford to feed them. And if in a few years time you are complaining that you can’t let your kids play out because of the drug addicts,dealers, muggers and thieves in your area then don’t expect any sympathy because by encouraging them today , you are part of the problem down the line.

JurassicClark · 24/06/2024 20:51

Your actions are both immoral and illegal.

You don't need branded laundry stuff and you don't need fabric softener, it's bad for the life of your clothes.

Sillystrumpet · 24/06/2024 20:51

Well no of course I’d not buy stolen stuff.

however if you’re very poor and you can’t afford laundry detergent or milk, then needs must, I’d not judge you for it.

i would judge you if you chose to do it and didn’t have to.

NalafromtheLionKing · 24/06/2024 20:51

It’s a good money saving idea as you could get free food and rent for up to 14 years doing this:

https://mcgeemcgeeagarlaw.co.uk/criminal-offences/handling-stolen-goods-solicitors/

Disclaimer: The cell might be a bit smaller than your current flat/house and outings might be a bit limited.

Handling Stolen Goods Solicitors - McGEE McGEE AGAR LAW LIMITED

MMA LAW are expert Criminal Defence Solicitors specialising in offences of Handling Stolen Goods. Legal Aid Available. Available 24/7. 5* Rating.

https://mcgeemcgeeagarlaw.co.uk/criminal-offences/handling-stolen-goods-solicitors

Itiswhysofew · 24/06/2024 20:51

He's wrong for stealing and I think you're wrong for buying, but I wouldn't have reacted as your friend did. I'd be more concerned that you're struggling.

TooLateForRoses · 24/06/2024 20:51

Missed that you buy baby milk from him!!! Please don't!

DillyDilly · 24/06/2024 20:51

If he’s stealing on this scale, it’s only a matter of time before he’s caught by the police and you could well be implicated to.

malachitegreen · 24/06/2024 20:51

why on earth do you need to spend £10 on washing?

Bluewhitered · 24/06/2024 20:50

Is this a joke post? That’s appalling. He’s stealing then we are all paying more than we should for our shopping to make up for these people. Wtf. And £10 a week on laundry stuff?? I go to Aldi and buy their basics - I wouldn’t dream of handling stolen stuff

malachitegreen · 24/06/2024 20:50

you are receiving stolen goods, and not even discretely - you will be caught sooner or later and get a criminal conviction. that won't help your earning potential

CranfordScones · 24/06/2024 20:50

Why don't you steal directly from the supermarket yourself? Or is that somehow different from stealing at one removed?? It would be even cheaper than being ripped off by this merchant who has the cheek to actually charge you money for goods he acquired for free. Or is that free enterprise? A bit like a supermarket, in fact...

Coatsoff42 · 24/06/2024 20:50

I wouldn’t, I’d rather buy cheap washing powder with a clean conscience.
If it’s just washing powder.

I’d feel like the baby milk was contaminated too, just from being around him or in his house full of drugs.

Sirzy · 24/06/2024 20:49

So many issues here but the biggest is encouraging a drug addicted thief to come to your house

AffIt · 24/06/2024 20:48

Yes. What you're doing is utterly indefensible.

You're no better than a thief yourself, you just don't have the balls to walk into Sainsbury's and lift it yourself.