To feel too embarrassed to give back something we accidentally stole…

[NickD87]

You know how people leave things outside their houses sometimes for people to take?

Today, my husband came home with a Lloyd Looms washing basket. It’s quite nice and we need a new one. I asked him where he had got it and he said there was a house with lots of good things outside it. He brought this but said there were a few other bits we might want to look at.

I went back out and round the corner to this house, to realise that people were actually moving in to the property and the stuff was their ACTUAL stuff.

I find this hilarious and embarrassing in equal measure.

How do I go about returning this item without being weird? Or do I even? Should this be a lesson in leaving things in the street? (Jokes obvs, I should definitely return it).

They might have a ring doorbell or cctv so I wouldn’t personally just drop it outside. I think I’d have to go round awkwardly with the basket and also some chocolates and explain what happened. Well, I’d send DH cause it’s his doing!

I'd laugh so much if I discovered my vanished washing basket on the front step at dawn with a sign on it saying "sorry I thought it was mine".

I daresay you new neighbours may be wondering what sort of area they have moved into!

No need to "sneak", it was just an innocent mistake fgs. No need to buy a bottle of wine either – it was an accident. And no need for "guts" to take it back – why is this being built up into some huge event when it was really extremely minor??

@excelledyourself - yes the leaving stuff outside is really common where I live. We've left chests of drawers, wardrobes, a running machine, baking stuff, office chair etc. We just tape a bit of paper on saying 'Free - please take if you can use it'.

As you named the brand I googled it £150 - £300 for a laundry basket?!? That’s the real crime here!

This is very very funny. A genuine innocent mistake. Go at night, with a hood up and leave it on their doorstep with a funny sorry note and some chocolates.

Brilliant!! This made me laugh. People leave stuff out all the time round here, and I'd probably have helped myself to more than a laundry basket. I'd definitely sneak it back under the cover of darkness.

So funny!

More seriously, don't sneak or do anything which implies guilty behaviour!!

Just take it back asap and don't leave it out front where someone else might nick it. You don't want screen grabs all over Facebook of 'anyone know this guy who stole our stuff and cam back later for another look'.

An innocent mistake. He knocks, explains, hands it over and everyone lives happily ever after.

That’s why we couldn’t believe our luck!!! Hahaa

erm why isnt yur husband taking it back

Just take it back and explain ‘Because Husband’’. They will find it funny. I would.

Don’t leave it outside at night, someone might really nick it, which would be unfair to them.

Pop a bottle of cheap fizz in the basket, rock up with it, welcome them to the neighbourhood & be sure to name & shame DH as the accidental thief 😁

hahahaha! that's absolutely hilarious. And a good way to meet the new neighbours

WTF?

Scrub my cheap fizz idea OP.
They probably find cheap fizz more criminal than basket larceny.

He needs to do what @BMW6 suggests, perhaps a bottle of bubbly 🍾

I've got an old microwave - shall I leave it outside 🤔

Now I know who nicked my basket.

Omg that’s hilarious. If I was the neighbour I’d see the funny side so honestly I’d just send the husband back with it with a bottle of wine 😊

Take it back and have a giggle with them. But I'm rolling about laughing at the thought.😂

Em excuse me, my daft DH thought you'd left stuff out that was surplus to requirements, and took your washing basket (is it empty) 🤔 I have realsied your just moving in so havs it back really sorry.🤣 😂

Being serious it definitely needs returned before the removals people get the blame.

This just gave me a very much needed laugh! I think it's too funny of a story for them to be mad. They will definitely see the funny side if this if you return it soon

@Wheredoallthepensgo oh ffs this is a lighthearted thread! Get a grip and a sense of humour. Honestly there's always someone wanting to make it about something it's not. Happy Christmas

This ^

I'd put it back in the dead of night too, but would leave a anonymous note blaming DH explaining what had happened and apologising profusely!

Lol 😂. Just make sure they don’t have a ring doorbell if you’re going to return under the cover of darkness.