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 think the law would beg to differ, buying stolen goods is often more harshly punished than the actual crime in the shop. Theft is theft, when you knowing buy stolen goods, you are stealing!

I suspect OP knows her actions are unacceptable but was hoping everyone would say, “Of course it’s OK babes, you need those laundry balls! Look after No 1 hun xx”

No, it's not theft , it's receiving stolen goods- they are not the same offence. I did not say it was legal. Technically the maximum sentence for receiving is 14 years, whereas for theft it is 7 years, however sentencing mostly hangs on the value of the goods and if you have prior convictions. So realistically the OP is unlikely to suffer much from being on the wrong side of the law, which is why I was trying to emphasise the moral angle.

Nice justification. Condoms are less expensive than a baby, so if she can't afford a baby, why'd she have one? Sounds pretty reckless and irresponsible to me. Also quite selfish. Although I'm aware the contraception does fail, it's the exception, not the rule. Based on this post, I'd but put my money on childish stupidity.

It's harsh to berate someone about contraception for a baby which now exists and I don't think the OP is genuinely 'on the bones of her arse' as a pp put it anyway. She just wants unnecessary branded goods cheaply and is prepared to buy goods she knows to be stolen and that is a criminal offence.

not really. she is buying stolen good because she cant afford what is in the store. I stand by my statement.

She can afford what's in store perfectly well if she avoids totally unnecessary expensive purchases like laundry scent pods.

Some of the justifications here are crazy ‘it’s ok to steal from Tesco but not the corner shop “ so it follows that it’s ok to steal from a wealthy person but not a poor one …. or to pocket a purse that has been lost . If you can’t afford it don’t buy it but don’t steal. Don’t buy goods that you know have been stolen. Do you understand right and wrong ? What are you teaching your kids ? That it’s ok to have a meal in a smart restaurant and then leave without paying but not in the local cafe ? Slippery moral slope you are on. I’d run a mile if you were my ‘friend ‘

Tesco isn't a person though

My mum couldn't have fed and clothed us if not for the local shoplifters.

Mmmhmmm why's that then?

Tesco isn't a person though

And?

What difference does that make? A thief is just a thief, and justifying theft is reprehensible.

Tesco isn't a person but I am, and I shop there sometimes. All the dirty horrible thieves are putting up the prices that I am then forced to pay. You might as well come and steal from my handbag!

She could. She chose not to. Plenty of people were dirt poor and not all of them stooped so low!

Bollocks. She is making an active choice not to. Anyone who thinks that's ok is just as bad as she is. Stand by what you like. It's rotten to the core!

Come off it, this one isn't on the bones of her arse!!

Amazingly, 13% think she's NBU!!!!

No, the attitude to theft is gross.

Don't be ridiculous - she is buying stolen goods; she might as well be nicking them herself!

And that matters because?

Comparing stealing from a person and a corporation isn't fair and just because someone does one thing doesn't mean they will do the other or that it's the same thing at all

Drug addiction is irrelevant here. Plenty of drug addicts work and nobody accuses their employers of ‘funding their addiction’. That’s nonsense.
However this is receiving stolen goods and is illegal and in my opinion immoral. I wouldn’t buy something I knew to be stolen. There is knock on impacts for other people even if is from Tesco. Tesco won’t absorb these costs in their profits. They will look to compensate it through increased prices (which effects poorer people disproportionately) or cutting jobs of staff.

Ehst in my response made you think I was defending her? I was countering a person who WAS defending her. Try reading before you (mis)fire off your heated messages.

It absolutely is the same thing! Theft is theft no matter where it’s from. Do you think the people on the shop floor that have to try and deal with thieves are any less important than individuals elsewhere. Try reading about the impact this has on them. You’re as bad as her if you think it doesn’t matter because it’s from Tesco and not somewhere else!