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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to put this unsolicited Avon catalogue in the recycling bin?

229 replies

Rae36 · 21/05/2021 12:43

Came home to an Avon catalogue on the doormat. I didn't ask for it.

It has a note telling me to leave it our for collection on Sunday afternoon. The actual wording is "Leave this catalogue out on your doorstep for collection on Sunday afternoon EVEN IF YOU DONT WANT TO PLACE AN ORDER".
We're going away this weekend so I don't want to put it out tomorrow morning and have it lying there advertising the fact that we're not at home until Sunday afternoon.
The note says that if I can't put it out on Sunday afternoon I can call the person and arrange another time to collect it.

AIBU to just chuck it? I didn't ask for it, I don't want to phone a stranger up and arrange for her to collect it at a different time. Or will she come knocking on my door at some other random time looking for it? How long do I have to keep it lying around my house in case she comes back for it?

And who does she actually think she is to drop this off at my house then tell me in capital letters what to do with it?

And finally, why has this pissed me off out of all proportion

OP posts:
DontGoIntoTheLongGrass · 21/05/2021 12:45

Bin it because you know leaving it on your doorstep it could easily have got stolen or rained on or whatever... Wink

XenoBitch · 21/05/2021 12:46

I get these all the time. I always put them on the doorstep, but they never get picked up.

BambooWhoosh · 21/05/2021 12:47

Just bin it. I'm trying to develop a new midset of not giving these things too much headspace. Enjoy your weekend away knowing it is not sitting on your doorstep awaiting collection.

IARTNS · 21/05/2021 12:49

I did Avon years ago, you had to pay for the catalogues so probably will be passed on to another customer once collected from you.

spongedog · 21/05/2021 12:49

I used to get Betterware catalogues. I left the 1st one outside with a note that politely said. Thank you but I would prefer not to receive any more catalogues. It worked! No more catalogues. The distributor has to pay for them so perhaps be kind 1st time round.

The distributor must have changed years later and I received another catalogue. Same process, only this distributor didnt collect when they said, dropped more off etc. So I did recycle those.

idontlikealdi · 21/05/2021 12:50

I just leave them outside. If they want to come nad get it they can. We get Kleeneze too.

Moondust001 · 21/05/2021 12:50

Anything unsolicited that comes through my door is mine to do with as I please, so it goes in the recycling. I do not advertise to anyone that I won't be in. If the Avon lady wants to hang on to her brochures, then she needs to give them to people who actually want them. Mind you, I'd almost be surprised into buying something if she could find me...

QueenAdreena · 21/05/2021 12:52

I bin them. I used to leave them on the doorstep and they would just sit there for days, get rained on and usually wouldn’t be collected. So they would make my doorstep look messy and since I didn’t ask for the bloody things in the first place, I now bin them in the recycling with zero guilt. I use the plastic bag it’s placed in for a dirty nappy so I don’t have to feel too bad about that either!

LettyLoman · 21/05/2021 12:52

Don’t bin it. People do Avon to scrape a few quid together and they have to pay for each catalogue. Leave it in a plastic food bag outside your door.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 21/05/2021 12:54

"Who does she think she is...?" I dunno, perhaps someone really desperate for a job/ money who knows?

Seesawmummadaw · 21/05/2021 12:55

Leave a note out saying that you love it so much you have taken it hostage and thanks for introducing you to the love of your life.

TheGumption · 21/05/2021 12:57

I always bin them mainly to make a point. I didn't ask for the unsolicited post and I certainly won't make an effort to put it back outside ona specific day.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 21/05/2021 12:57

I don’t think it’s advertising the fact you’re away for the weekend at all Confused. They have to pay for the catalogues so I wouldn’t Chuck it, maybe attach a note asking not to be sent one again.

wingsofsteel · 21/05/2021 12:59

I've had the same issue and after a putting them out a couple of times I just started binning them and they stopped being put through my door.

I understand entirely why it has pissed you off. Essentially, without bothering to find out if you are interested, someone has decided to put their property through your letterbox and demands that you not only find somewhere to store it for a week but also insists that, in addition to your already overflowing mental load, you remember exactly when it suits them for you to put it out.

BusterGonad · 21/05/2021 12:59

Would it really kill you just to pop it in a bag outside your door? It's annoyed you so much because I expect you're quite a grumpy person.

moynomore · 21/05/2021 13:00

I wouldn't in a million years follow those instructions and leave it out.

ClaudiaWankleman · 21/05/2021 13:00

I think it would be unreasonable, especially if it is to be reused for someone else. It's a waste, regardless of what you think about Avon.

I'm also not convinced that potential burglars would use the Avon catalogue as a sign to break in - they're probably more likely to think about whether you/ your neighbours are working from home or something.

Original poster
Rae36 · 21/05/2021 13:01

"Who does she think she is...?"I dunno, perhaps someone really desperate for a job/ money who knows?

Then she needs to lay off with the shouty capital letters.

OP posts:
Minstrelsgetinmybelly · 21/05/2021 13:03

I have put them in the bin before and no one has ever come to collect or pick them up.

I know it’s not great for the Avon person but at the same time i view it as cold calling.

Lindy2 · 21/05/2021 13:03

She could have used please and thank you on her note. That would have been more polite.

You could leave it out for her to collect. That would be more kind.

The person trying to earn some money from Avon selling does have to pay for the catalogues and isn't likely to be earning very much.

Of the 2 easy options of leaving it on the doorstep or binning it - leaving it out is the nicest option. Deliberately binning it is actually quite mean IMO. You don't know the financial situation of this person at all.

MoiraRose4 · 21/05/2021 13:03

I bin them.

Original poster
Rae36 · 21/05/2021 13:04

I'm also not convinced that potential burglars would use the Avon catalogue as a sign to break in

Yeah maybe not, maybe I'm overthinking the burglar thing. That's the sort of thing I would notice, but then I'm not a burglar so they probably don't think like me.

OP posts:
CadburyCake · 21/05/2021 13:04

The whole concept of these catalogues is redundant these day. The sooner all unsolicited paper advertising material is banned the better. I just recycle them. I’m not taking on the mental load of looking after/putting out a catalogue I don’t want and didn’t ask for.

Gottalovesummer · 21/05/2021 13:05

I treat all these catalogues the same as junk mail and they go straight into use recycling.

I'm not heartless about people wanting to earn a few £ but putting unsolicited catalogues through doors is not the way to do it.

I run a small business and I don't foist my wares on people. I advertise in appropriate ways.

Original poster
Rae36 · 21/05/2021 13:06

Essentially, without bothering to find out if you are interested, someone has decided to put their property through your letterbox and demands that you not only find somewhere to store it for a week but also insists that, in addition to your already overflowing mental load, you remember exactly when it suits them for you to put it out.

This is exactly why I'm pissed off.

OP posts: