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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
BerryShots · 14/10/2022 12:51

Once I've donated anything to charity I don't mind how it comes into the hands of people who need it.
I'm sorry things are this way for you, OP.

Comedycook · 14/10/2022 12:53

The idea of this doesn't bother me. I think someone who can't afford something and needs it, is the one in need of charity. It's a much more direct help which I think is better.

Imagine you're standing in a shop. You have a spare £5..the mum in front of you can't afford her shopping. Would you rather give the money to her or put it in the charity box at the counter. I know which I'd rather do.

Reminds me of when I was skint and being pressurised to sponsor a friend in aid of a huge charity. Surely the most charitable thing to do would be to let me keep my money.

AdoraBell · 14/10/2022 12:57

Technically yes YABU because the donations belong to the clothes bank.

If you need the clothes then going into the clothes bank or charity shop, whichever the clothes are going to.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/10/2022 12:58

I’ve donated masses of dd’s clothes over the years op. This wouldn’t phase me at all. The clothes are fly tipped. They shouldn’t even be there so you’re doing the supermarket a favour by taking some of the items. I hope you find some nice and warm items for your children.

whatapity · 14/10/2022 12:59

Yanbu at all. Though I'm also sorry that you have to do this. It can't be easy.

TempName01 · 14/10/2022 13:01

If I donate to one I would be happy for you to take it. I usually try offer things on FB local free pages, do you have one you could request on? There’s always people wanting to pass on kids clothes and toys

AMDB5 · 14/10/2022 13:02

When we need charcoal for the BBQ can I take it from outside the front of the shop without paying?

confused162 · 14/10/2022 13:02

Take it 100%, you need the items and some of the stuff left outside the bins does get binned.

Comedycook · 14/10/2022 13:02

If you need the clothes then going into the clothes bank or charity shop, whichever the clothes are going to

What's the difference? And anyway, where do these clothes end up?

Blueink · 14/10/2022 13:03

DC recently dropped off stuff they’d outgrown and it wouldn’t fit in the box, I would be happy if someone in need made use of it (as it was worried about the stuff some of it inc unworn gifts, near new M&S shirts being weather damaged). YANBU.

user53852098 · 14/10/2022 13:04

AMDB5 · 14/10/2022 13:02

When we need charcoal for the BBQ can I take it from outside the front of the shop without paying?

That is not flytipped rubbish, are you happy that people are flytipping

PurplRainDancer · 14/10/2022 13:05

PoundOfNesh · 14/10/2022 11:44

Is your actual question ‘am I being unreasonable for stealing from a charity clothes bank’?

OF COURSE YABU

This is horribly judgemental.

Ihatemyroad · 14/10/2022 13:05

OP - If you need to then do.

My local huge Sainsbury’s has several clothes banks and they get so full they end up with mountains of bags piled up next to them. My family member who works there said she often sees people having a look through bags.

Also, last time Sainsbury told the charity to empty the bins or they would dispose of them as rubbish because it was unsightly. The charity told them to dispose of all the bags and items piled up by the bins so off they went to landfill!!

Loobie1234 · 14/10/2022 13:10

I work in a town centre with a number of charity shops and anything left outside is binned as they class it as contaminated so help yourself

user53852098 · 14/10/2022 13:11

PoundOfNesh · 14/10/2022 11:44

Is your actual question ‘am I being unreasonable for stealing from a charity clothes bank’?

OF COURSE YABU

Another poster happy with flytipping

RobertaFirmino · 14/10/2022 13:11

You give £10 pm to charity and would feel ashamed asking on FB. Yet you have been called all sorts whilst at the bins getting clothes for the DC you couldn't otherwise afford.

Have you any idea how silly this sounds?

LittleMy77 · 14/10/2022 13:12

Id say take it. I chatted with someone at our local charity shop, she told me their policy was that anything left outside whilst the shop was shut had to be thrown out

user53852098 · 14/10/2022 13:12

Blueink · 14/10/2022 13:03

DC recently dropped off stuff they’d outgrown and it wouldn’t fit in the box, I would be happy if someone in need made use of it (as it was worried about the stuff some of it inc unworn gifts, near new M&S shirts being weather damaged). YANBU.

So you flytipped them, you didn't think to take them back home with you

Notanotherwindow · 14/10/2022 13:12

I mean I wouldn't care as long as you don't leave a mess and clothes all over the floor. If you leave it neat and rebag what you aren't taking, I wouldn't stop you. The whole point is that they are for people in need.

It is technically speaking stealing but morally I wouldn't consider it stealing as they were donated for this purpose and the clothes bank don't own them yer if they haven't been collected.

If you were taking them to sell on Ebay that would be a dick move or if you could easily afford to buy clothes.

Heatherjayne1972 · 14/10/2022 13:13

Can’t you get registered with freecycle / or similar and ask if anyones giving clothes away
better than stealing

Eaumyword · 14/10/2022 13:14

spiderontheceiling · 14/10/2022 11:50

I donate to these "bins" as it is often more convenient that going to a charity shop (pedestrianised town centre) and I want to help someone in need. If you happen to be that person in need, then I'd be quite happy for you to take it.

I feel the same way. I'm just happy they go to anyone who needs them.

user1471538283 · 14/10/2022 13:14

Yes do! We have some charity bins in our sub-division and I've seen stuff just left there for weeks, getting wet and unusable.

Maybe when things are better you can then donate.

VioletInsolence · 14/10/2022 13:16

Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 11:49

If there are things all over the floor I don’t see the problem we are in in desperate times

Take the clothes!!! I would far rather give stuff away directly to people who need it and I doubt that most of the stuff in clothes banks is actually used - it probably just gets sold for recycling.

Don’t ask on here though…..ask yourself what you would say to someone in your situation. Some people will always insist that everyone sticks to rules no matter how stupid. The super rich are stealing from society every day through tax evasion so you must not feel guilty for picking up some old clothes off the floor xx

SlowlyWakingSilently · 14/10/2022 13:18

I wouldn’t be bothered, but I think you can be charged with theft sadly.

Although if you dumped them beside the over full bins, you can also be charged
with fly tipping. Ludicrous really.

I’d much rather my donated clothes went to someone who wanted them, rather than charity, or being shredded.

Mogginsthemog · 14/10/2022 13:20

YABU. Definitely take the clothes.
If someone has dumped clothes outside the clothes bank they are just being lazy and allowing the clothes to get rained on and ruined..
This isn't the actions of someone who cares deeply about the particular charity who would benefit or about the environment.

I've heard that charity shops have to chuck away the bags of clothes left outside of the shops.