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AIBU?

Aibu to take things from outside the clothes bank

320 replies

Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 11:43

Just what the title says my kids need clothes and there are always bags of them outside the clothes bank a lot of people seem to go through them and they often end up on the floor etc so do you think ibu to have a look through and take some.

OP posts:
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Am I being unreasonable?

AIBU

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Rowthe · 14/10/2022 12:35

I donate loads of bags.

I'd be happy if someone who needed the stuff took it.

Just make sure you're not making the mess worse.

Every time I go to the charity shop they look shocked at the amount of donations. Sometimes I'm sure they dont even want it because they have too much.

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redskyhaze · 14/10/2022 12:35

Gemmanorthdevon · 14/10/2022 12:34

If you need to, you do it! I regularly dump bags full in these bins, and have no issue where it goes as long as the person needs it.

Anybody with an issue with what she is doing, has clearly never needed to.

There are many other methods to get free or very cheap clothes that don't involve stealing things that people are donating in good faith.

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Whistlesandbell · 14/10/2022 12:35

I can’t believe people are against a desperate parent trying to clothe their DC. The OP is picking clothes off the floor she needs them
that much. I can’t think of a better use of the donated items.

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user53852098 · 14/10/2022 12:36

They are not donations

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sheepandcaravan · 14/10/2022 12:36

@redskyhaze but people are not donating, they are fly tipping.

If they opened the front door and threw them all over the street it would be the same as leaving them next to a clothing bank.

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mam0918 · 14/10/2022 12:36

redskyhaze · 14/10/2022 12:35

There are many other methods to get free or very cheap clothes that don't involve stealing things that people are donating in good faith.

fly tipping is not donating... fly tipping is a crime.

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Downdaysoon · 14/10/2022 12:38

If you need the clothes then of course you should take them. Surely no one would begrudge you that for the sake of 'procedure' not being followed.

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saltofcelery · 14/10/2022 12:38

Sorry you're in this situation where you feel the need to take from charity. I would have just given you bags of clothes if you'd asked on Facebook.

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user53852098 · 14/10/2022 12:39

saltofcelery · 14/10/2022 12:38

Sorry you're in this situation where you feel the need to take from charity. I would have just given you bags of clothes if you'd asked on Facebook.

Don't you understand, they are flytipped rubbish not a donation

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Downdaysoon · 14/10/2022 12:40

OP is EXACTLY who the clothes charity is trying to help. Does it really matter how she gets them ? People are letting details get in the way of common sense.

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HikingforScenery · 14/10/2022 12:40

I’d have no problem with you taking stuff I’ve donated but others will so I’m unsure. It’s also quite annoying that people rummage through and leave things dirty.

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mauveskies · 14/10/2022 12:41

It's cool by me. I often donate in the hope someone will help themselves and like what I've left out. Charity shops are often surprisingly overpriced, and if they aren't set up to deal with regular overflow then they should really expect to be picked over, especially now. It's not as if anyone is doing it for a lark.

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TheYearOfSmallThings · 14/10/2022 12:42

I don't have a problem with anyone taking donated stuff because they need it and will use it. I have a problem with people tearing bags open and throwing donations all over the ground, ensuring they are wasted, but that is completely different.

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Shitfather · 14/10/2022 12:42

No, I don’t think YABU. I’m sorry you are having to do this OP.

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Definitelynotme2022 · 14/10/2022 12:42

Personally, I'd much rather they went straight to someone who needs them - so I say take them.

I'm so sorry you're in this situation though. If you need any boys clothes around age 9-10 let me know, I'm just mid-sort out as my ds has grown. Again!

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Eatmycake3333 · 14/10/2022 12:44

I have saw folk doing this at the charity shop. People leaving bags of clothes to charity when the shop is closed. Then folk rummaging through them.

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Rainraindontgoaway · 14/10/2022 12:44

If you need the items and the clothes are overflowing on to the pavement do it.

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worriedatthistime · 14/10/2022 12:44

Probably not the correct thing to do but if you are genuinely using them and not selling I wouldn't care if you took them if I was donating and would gladly hand you the bag to look through
But have you thought about asking on facebook or similar free sites for clothing for the right age
I have dropped stuff of to people before who have been asking for bits as at least you know it goes to someone in need
Also can ask for say coats or trousers if specific things are needed

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CourtneeLuv · 14/10/2022 12:44

People do know that those metal bins aren't for charities as in charity shops?

The clothes are collected and taken to warehouses and turned into rags and sold abroad.

None of that money goes to help vulnerable people.

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glassfully · 14/10/2022 12:47

Our clothes bank has big signs warning people that clothes left outside of the collection bin won't be taken. I wish someone would take them.

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CosyDarkNights · 14/10/2022 12:48

We are clearing out piles and piles of old clothes, if I'm honest I'd rather you took the clothes if you really need them. I always want our old clothes to go to someone who needs them (im not convinced the money made from these places goes to the right places anyway). If you were just a tight arse who wasnt in need and just stealing the nice clothes obviously uabu. Sounds like you need them though, so take them.

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user53852098 · 14/10/2022 12:48

CourtneeLuv · 14/10/2022 12:44

People do know that those metal bins aren't for charities as in charity shops?

The clothes are collected and taken to warehouses and turned into rags and sold abroad.

None of that money goes to help vulnerable people.

A few are proper charities, we have one that says Air Ambulance on it, I put the good stuff in there, the tatty stuff goes in the other ones which are shipped abroad

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Gemmanorthdevon · 14/10/2022 12:49

redskyhaze · 14/10/2022 12:35

There are many other methods to get free or very cheap clothes that don't involve stealing things that people are donating in good faith.

No there isnt? Not unless you want to out yourself on fb market place as havibg a shit time!

Have you any idea, how many donations get rejected from charity shops? At least 60%. For various health, safety and it not being ironed reasons! ( info from various volunteers and managers I've worked with ) and that's why a lot of people use these bins. The contents of which, are mostly disposed of because its unwashed, along with the overflow because that gets strewn across wherever these are placed. Quite often in supermarket car parks.

She is doing landfill a favour...

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worriedatthistime · 14/10/2022 12:50

Re: some of the free sites around by me anyway the admin will post on behalf of Someone if someone doesn't want to put their name or there are people local that collect for people in need etc
Have a look to see if anything
I have so many old clothes upstairs that are in good condition and currently charity shop not taking so would be more than happy to give them away to someone who needed

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Soubriquet · 14/10/2022 12:50

Oh god go for it.

If you got them from the charity shop it would probably work out to be around £5 for it all anyway. (Childrens clothes tend to be dirt cheap, or they are ragged)

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