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).

He needs to either sneak it back or take it back… can’t you imagine the conversation at their house? lol

If they have a Ring doorbell (or similar) maybe your DH was caught on camera!

I agree with others, return and laugh about it

@pompomdaisy - I live in a town in SE England, it’s really normal here. We’ve left boxes of books outside with a note and have got some great children’s books and toys this way. Also some paint testers. They did all have signs though saying you could help yourself. We also have people who leave apples out from their tree when they have an abundant harvest. I thought it was normal…

😂 this is so funny. Get your DH to take it back when it's dark and leave it on the doorstep haha.

Just take it back introduce yourself and explain what hubby did.😂😂😂 I wouldn't sneak it back when it's dark hoping nobody will see. Someone will see you and it will be awkward.

Don't for Gawd's sake suggest the OP's DH should have to do anything. That means you're not fun at parties apparently. 🥳

If I had done this I’d return it secretly in the dark with my hood up
but if it happened to me I’d find it hilarious if the person knocked on and explained and I think a lot of people round here would 😂

@Lovageandrose it's a thing round my way too. People leave stuff out on the path in front of their house if it's 'free to a good home' sort of thing. We also leave things out for the scrap man.

There is no need for chocolates or wine, it was an honest mistake. I’m sure they will understand be glad to get it back.

I would give it back, with a bottle of mulled wine, a poinsettia and a box of chocolates, and a Christmas card, explaining what happened and welcoming them to the (crazy) neighbourhood.

Take it back, I would laugh

Someone marched off with my trolley in Aldi the other week, I just stood there like WTF
2 mins later this guy sheepishly returns pushing my trolley "this definitely isn't mine, it's got way too much green stuff in"

That’s hilarious! Just go back and explain or get your DH to, they’ll find it funny

😂😂🤣🤣 that made me laugh out loud

Your dh needs to return it to them directly and apologise. And don't leave outside in case some else pinches it or it gets damaged left out in damp/rain.

Similar happened to me once. I had forgotten something in an earlier aisle, so rather than traipse my trolley back and forth, I left it, popped back to the previous aisle, grabbed what I wanted and went back, only my trolley wasn't where I left it.

I imagine the CCTV must have been amusing as I stood there in the middle of the aisle, clutching a solitary purchase and looking around in circles, totally and utterly confused, wondering how the fuck I could have lost a trolley!

No-one brought mine back though and I eventually found it a couple of aisles down with another lady pushing it and had to say "I'm terribly sorry but I think you've taken the wrong trolley". She was suitably sheepish though and took what she'd recently added out of it again!

@Bepis me too. He was still laughing as he walked off to find his own trolley

I'm sure they'll just be happy to get it back. Drop round (DH should really) and explain. It's an easy mistake to have made.

is it a regional thing leaving stuff outside to be taken? It’s definitely a thing in the Midlands city I live in. (Obviously people try and check first that it’s free, Amazon boxes and people moving in being exceptions). There have been ‘misunderstandings’ with kids’ bikes and car seats. If I see any left outside I have on occasion let neighbours know it is a bit risky!

It’s actually a useful system - people leave stuff mainly suitable for the ‘rag and bone’ people who regularly drive by. Rarely any need for a skip if you’re having a clear out or doing DIY

Years ago people used to have their laundry delivered and collected. They also used to leave stuff on the doorstep for the Girl Guides jumble sale. One year my friends father, who had been out collecting stuff, turned up at the sale with a box of very posh bed linen. Fortunately he remembered where he'd got it and was able to return it.

I wouldn't leave it outside. That's even more weird and would creep me out. A passerby would probably assume it's being given free, just like your husband.
It's a funny way to introduce yourself, don't be embarrassed.

Take it back. If you are shy, do it after dark, with a note saying, 'So sorry - thought this had been left out for someone to help themselves - we do that a lot around here. But just realised you are actually moving in so we're returning it. Hope you weren;t hunting for it. Welcome to the neighbourhood. '

No need to sign your name.

Two options

Pretend it's a neighbourhood tradition to kidnap a washing basket.
Or
Tell them that you have heard they lost a washing basket and offer them your spare one.

I would find it hard to get the words out for laughing, but I'd take it back and explain.

That's hilarious, I can't imagine your horror when you realised! It also reminds me of my DP... who tried to buy someone's actually washing off their line in Vietnam. He thought it was clothes hanging up for sale.

😂😂 these are just brilliant.