AIBU to “steal” this?

[AmiABadPersonn]

Hello everyone I just want your opinions on this as today I’ve been in a heated argument with my friend as to wether I am unreasonable or not.

I am off work on maternity leave so the funds are tight at minute. There is a man who lives near me I believe he is drug user, he sells half price stuff and also takes orders on what you want for half price. He knocks on my house about 1 or 2 times a week with a bag of half price goods. I always buy washing detergent and softeners from him because you can get a whole weeks laundry of the nice brands for around £10. Money is tight as I have just had a baby and I have 2 other children with my husband also. i also sometimes get baby milk formula from him if I’m running low because it’s cheap.

I feel like this is not wrong because if I didn’t buy it other people would. Even if no one bought it he would steal it anyway in hopes someone would buy it eventually.

Today my friend was at my house when he came so I offered her to have a look what he had. She immediately asked him where he got this stuff from and he replied “shop”. She didn’t say much after but when I finished buying my items she started shouting about how I’m funding his drugs addiction and I shouldn’t support it because I am now stealing too. I told her to relax it’s fine it’s only a couple of items. She didn’t say much and finished her coffee and left quick.

So am I morally wrong for this? Or would you do the same?

It’s a good money saving idea as you could get free food and rent for up to 14 years doing this:

https://mcgeemcgeeagarlaw.co.uk/criminal-offences/handling-stolen-goods-solicitors/

Disclaimer: The cell might be a bit smaller than your current flat/house and outings might be a bit limited.

Well no of course I’d not buy stolen stuff.

however if you’re very poor and you can’t afford laundry detergent or milk, then needs must, I’d not judge you for it.

i would judge you if you chose to do it and didn’t have to.

Your actions are both immoral and illegal.

You don't need branded laundry stuff and you don't need fabric softener, it's bad for the life of your clothes.

You are encouraging theft , you are supporting drug dealers, you are possibly contributing to someone’s business going under because their profits are walking out of the door.

Buy cheap washing powder and stop having babies if you can’t afford to feed them. And if in a few years time you are complaining that you can’t let your kids play out because of the drug addicts,dealers, muggers and thieves in your area then don’t expect any sympathy because by encouraging them today , you are part of the problem down the line.

this.
If he's got 10 people willing to buy half price laundry stuff off him he will steal 10 loads of detergent a week. He won't steal 10 loads of detergent a week every week if nobody is buying it off him, in the hope that one day someone will be like 'I'm desperate for 800 laundry capsules!'

If you can afford £10 a week on the 'nice' laundry brands (seriously HOW??? I spend about £3 a month on laundry stuff) you clearly aren't desperate, or you'd be buying the normal version for £2 a bottle.

Ignoring the fact that it’s illegal and morally wrong, how on earth could you buy baby milk from a random man off the street - what if it’s been tampered with?!! I’m sorry but that’s a possibility. No way no way should you carry on doing this, your friend is right.

hang on, a tenner a week on laundry? Just… out less in and buy it from a shop?

tenner a week on laundry chemicals though, 40 quid a month and that’s knock off? How much laundry are you doing?

but buying stolen baby milk is so bad. However if you’re poor you’re poor.

If she bought cheaper own branded washing powder she could afford the milk, but she likes the stolen expensive one.

If you are struggling financially I think you can get help with getting formula. Your health visitor might be able to advise.

I would be worried that the formula you buy from him is OK.

Did you breastfeed before starting formula? No judgement as I did both, but I remember the midwife at ante natal classes giving one of the reasons that breastfeeding was so good was because it is free.

I know this isn't the point of the thread, but no way in a million years would I give a baby milk purchased from a suspected drug addict.

For £10.50 you can get an 80 wash box of daz from Asda. Less for their own brands. Assuming your not doing 11 loads a day then your £10 can stretch much further!

This. What you are doing is awful and you have no excuse.

I buy a box of laundry powder from Lidl or Aldi...it costs me about £4 and lasts me a month. I do about three loads a day

It isn't wrong to do this

Buy your stuff from Aldi or Lidl.

This is almost certainly handling stolen goods and it’s a crime, ignorance is not an excuse.

You want to know whether it's OK to buy goods you know are stolen...?

Do please explain your working here.

He's stealing to order really in this case.

You're also funding his habit.

I wouldn't, I wouldn't to fund his habit and I don't encourage stealing, even when I've been in dire straits myself.
I'm not a preacher regarding morals, I just wouldn't buy something that clearly stolen and funding a habit. It's like Facebook where's there's loads of make offered ridiculously cheap - no I'm not buying, it'll either be a teenage girl thinking she's on to a winner, or a teenage girl with an addiction.

People are going hungry while supermarkets profit and it's a disgrace

Agree with this.

we shouldn’t be attacking mums who are struggling to survive. There are a lot of people on high horses here.

buying baby formula and laundry detergent is hardly the crime of the century when we have politicians robbing us blind.

if she was buying a stolen Rolex it would be fair to take a different stance but formula and detergent?

I would turn a blind eye honestly. It’s really not a big deal

And the more people steal the more prices will go up to cover the losses.

shop lifting isn’t the answer! Spending a fortune on stolen goods certainly isn’t

Am I really naive? Are you honestly asking if it’s ok to buy stolen goods?!! Your moral compass is really off kilter.

@Fishcake15

She didn't say she can't afford it & if she can't she should stop wasting stupid money on laundry products!!

@AmiABadPersonn yes, you are Buying stolen stuff (we all end up subbing you) AND supporting his drug habit. Your (ex?) friend is right.