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?

I have no idea what unbranded washing powder costs as I've never bought it. I'm sure the OP has investigated what's for sale in the supermarket and has determined that what she is buying is as cheap if not cheaper? I'm not sure how the OP has come to the decision to purchase the stolen goods but I have no doubt she is not the only one. One of the M&S staff was telling me the other day that steaks are all alarmed as they are popular items to steal as clearly there's a market for it.

In respect to being on a jury - I’ve always managed to get out of it.

Your hypothetical scenario is ridiculous. I’ve no idea what OP’s view would be on the matter.

It's clear she hasn't determined it's cheaper as it's not, by a long way. Tesco non bio is £4.75 for 40 washes, Aldi £3.75. That's using the recommended amount when half works fine. Nowhere near a tenner a week.

Retail grocery sector net profit margins in 2022/23 were 1.8%. So every bundle of stock priced at £10 that's stolen effectively cost the shop £9.82. The shop then has to make £9.82 profit selling other stuff to recoup those costs and break even. At 1.8% profit margin, that''s sales of £545.56. Just to cover your totally unnecessary scent balls, fabric softener, and branded detergent. Your behaviour is in no way reasonable.

Well, I do know what it costs. £3.75 (40 washes) in Aldi, £3.39 in Sainsbury‘s. So not sure how OP reached the conclusion that £10/ week would be cheaper.
No doubt she’s not the only one, doesn’t make it any better though 🤷‍♀️

You come across really defensive probably because deep down you know it’s wrong. Saying there’s nothing wrong with buying stolen goods and funding drug addicts. I grew up in a single parent household in a council house on income support and my mum never stooped that low. It’s nothing to do with poverty, you are enabling a criminal.

What you’re doing is just plain wrong. If you can’t afford to feed your child without resorting to buying stolen goods you shouldn’t have had a third!

This.

Because the OP doesn't want own brand stuff which is affordable and works well, she wants 'nice brands' because she feels having a label is more important than having a moral compass.

That is probably for the best.

It’s the same people. If you support one, you support both.

Very well put!

what?? lol i’ve really got ur knickers in a twist haven’t i

life isn’t perfect, there’s far worse going on than someone saving money in the CoL crisis by buying dodgy detergent.

Far worse such as what?

uhh…maybe on a wider scale the two wars currently going on.

and maybe stolen goods and ‘drug addicts’ being pretty much an epidemic reflects how this country is lacking in social care.

So because there are two wars going on elsewhere it’s okay to steal nonessential goods in the UK? And because social care is lacking OP is somehow entitled to branded stuff she can’t really afford?
All the excuses in the world just to avoid any kind of responsibility for one’s actions 😵‍💫

I see she’s gone very quiet now and only commenting on posts where people agree with her! I don’t think she was expecting the backlash from decent, honest folk!

Thing is, it is handling stolen goods, and it would be quite easy for the police and the courts to decide that you “must have known” it was stolen, because where else would he have got it from?

And you do know, for the same reason - it’s completely obvious.

So you could end up in a lot of trouble.

I’m afraid I also think scent balls are a total waste of money, and fabric conditioner/ softener is a luxury. You don’t need either.

And they don’t even smell very nice - I really sure the smell of laundry that’s had scent added to it.

I'm not the one stealing 🤣🤣🤣 have a day off will you.

No but without scumbags like you, scumbags like him wouldnt have a market.

Judge a [person] by the company [they] keep.

Christ I knew you'd mention war. Honestly wow if you think that crime is okay as long as its not war. How ridiculous.

You really haven't. You aren't that significant, you are nothing. I just can't abide thieves or their apologists.

You might as well be. Have a fucking word with yourself.

She must be very stupid if she didn't realise that she would get pushback on her support for criminality!