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?

Well of course you are morally wrong, you do know that really don't you. When I go shopping, and all the others on here who do the same, I pay extra to cover the losses the supermarket suffers from these thefts so please stop encouraging this.

I think the supermarkets should be nationalised

Someone who can spend £10 a week on laundry products cannot really be ‘struggling’.

I have sympathy for money being tight but getting involved with this is a step too far IMO.

Honest answer - yeah I would too. Supermarkets take us all for a ride. Half of them inflate the prices above food inflation out of pure greed (I know M&S and Tesco were being investigated for unfairly inflating prices fairly recently). It’s absolutely never okay to steal from local or small businesses, but the large supermarkets will not miss a couple hundred pounds worth of washing powder/cleaning products/toiletries etc every week. Even if multiple people are doing it, it won’t make a dent.

We live in a greedy, capitalist society. As long as you’re a good person and you know yourself that you’re kind and doing the best you can, I honestly wouldn’t worry about it. If you were my friend I’d turn a blind eye.

What the hell is up with spending £10 on laundry stuff per week? For £13 I get a massive thing of ecover laundry liquid (5L) that lasts me months!!! On Amazon.

You don't need softeners or scent stuff or any of that crap.

No, it is not ok to buy stuff from shoplifters.

You mentioned buying formula. Only today, I read an article about Keir Starmer and how he said he would buy someone baby formula if he saw someone who was going to shoplift baby formula. I thought how utterly ignorant and out of touch he was - the majority of baby formula is shoplifted by professionals who are selling it on. Not by people desperate to feed their baby. Not to be a bitch, but breastfeeding is free. I ebf a borderline preemie who had sod all ability to suck.

Keir I hope you read this.

It’s not unreasonable, it’s illegal to buy stolen goods. Either buy your brands full price or buy what you can afford.

For all the PP who say OP is justified because baby milk. This woman is not in food poverty. She spends £10 A WEEK on laundry.

Is this because you don't get paid for 3rd child?

How much is the baby milk?

Did you mean £10 a month...?

Another one struggling with the cost.

The ethics: if I was worried and very poor I'd be tempted.

A tenner a week on laundry, no wonder money is tight.

Speak to your HV about formula vouchers.

Stop buying this stuff.

If your bloke works you can't get milk vouchers.

There but for the grace of God, go I...

This.

I’m really interested in hearing about the supposed luxury laundry products that cost £10 per week (when that’s a massive discount). I buy brand products and don’t spend anywhere near that amount.

Not getting child benefit doesn’t excuse stealing, and if £60 a month benefit tips the scales of affordability for another child, you can’t really afford any more.

she surely means a month?

Bullshit.

Yes children, because every time a druggie steals a bottle of fairy washing detergent , a supermarket CEO dies.
👼

It isn't child benefit - it's child element.

one is 16.95 a week

child element is 287 pcm

you get child benefit for every child

Your mate is right. This is inexcusable. As long as there’s demand (you) he’ll continue to supply (steal). And you’re funding his drug habit. Drugs cause immense harm & suffering to not just the person using. All the people along the chain. The theft, violence and the way they wreck lives of users and their families . And why would you want any involvement with a druggie at your home where you have children? You are putting them at risk. He could turn nasty. Addicts can’t be trusted. Buy cheaper detergent etc, look into money saving tips for your home there’s loads of great advice out there. Buying stolen goods is not the answer OP.

😂

Apart from anything else, you now have a known thief coming to your door regularly a few times a week.

That really is not a desirable state of affairs, as even if you wanted to put a stop to it, he's now likely to keep pestering you as he knows you're a soft touch.

Must be two scoops of Vanish in every wash 😂

To be perfectly honest, I do know someone who buys things like this and I do judge them. I mean ultimately it's not right is it? I'd probably be more understanding if I knew someone was hand to mouth and very poor.