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?

@Fluffypuppy1 there are fancy eco brands that cost about &8 - £10 a litre.

I am a bit of a middle class twat and buy Wilton Cedarwood liquid when it is on Nectar offers in Sainsbury's as the smell is lovely. But that lasts us about two months, if not more.

Are you 100% sure he’s stealing?
Counterfeits of branded goods are a thing. Really! You would think “who tf would counterfeit Ariel “ but they do and it’s part of organised crime. I would definitely not buy baby formula from unknown origins.

Why would you, if you know it's morally wrong?

If money is tight there’s no way you need to spend £10 a week on laundry detergent and softener.

You can get 130 washes persil box online for £20!

@itsmylife7

No,I wouldn't have a low life near my house or family.

You must of had a comfortable life to be so ignorant, lucky you.

I honestly don't see any problem with this. I'd make sure everything was in sealed packages but I'd do that at the supermarket.

you don't see a problem with buying stolen goods? Really?

I spend about this on Persil, or maybe 2 packs per 10 days

I suspect this is a reverse and you are the friend and I wouldn't call this stealing but I'd be very wary buying off him if he's a drug user like previous posters have said, he's going to come round when he's desperate

🤣 don't make me laugh!!

Theft of baby milk keeps prices high for those of us who are struggling but are honest.

You can buy a box of surf from amazon that does 140 washes for £14.
Or two £5.99 boxes of "easy" powder (which is identical) from the range which do 75 washes each.
Even if you're doing a wash a day, that will last 20 weeks, a saving of £190.
A tin of baby formula from Iceland is £7.95.

Unless you have quintuplets that should be doable...?

It does come across that you are justifying theft because you have a desire for "branded" products, when they are most usually made in the same factory.

Moreover "ordering" from him means he's stealing to order. So many people suffer from this, the staff and other shoppers alike.

Shame

No I don't. Especially from big supermarkets, it's not like they're not making millions. Explain to me what your issue is.

Yes the only thing I took from this was how the hell can you spend £10 per week on washing stuff, and at the same time think it's a bargain? Even if you bought Ecover detergent and fabric conditioner, it would last for at least a month?

In general though, I agree I wouldn't want someone like this coming round to my house.

I bought own brand laundry detergent today for £3 it smells good and works fine.

I would not encourage an addict thief to your home, they are untrustworthy and know other unpredictable people.

Only that clearly isn't the case here. You are literally making shit up.

If I had no money and a baby to feed, I’d definitely buy the stuff.

But as I stand now, I would not dream of it and would consider it handling of stolen goods, supporting a drug addict etc etc. It would go against my conscience and my self beliefs.

Maslows hierarchy of needs applies here.

If OP was at the point of not being able to afford baby milk, she wouldn’t be pissing about with fabric softener!

Theft is theft. You are clearly dishonest too.

So who is going to pay for this “ free” formula. And who is going to decide whose baby gets the premium brand and whose baby gets the cheaper version? Or perhaps it will all be packaged in brown boxes printed with government slogans about tummy time and not giving too much screen time. Maybe the government should put more effort into encouraging breastfeeding rather than adding another layer of big brother (or big mother in this case).

Why not just steal what you want yourself, or do you prefer to pay other people to steal for you?

Why are you spending £10 A WEEK on laundry chemicals?

This was my main takeout too

The exact opposite actually.

Which is why I made that comment.

I'd prefer to steal the stuff myself than have a lowlife drug selling/user at my door.

Your friend is absolutely right. You also lack morals.

2 of the major Baby formula companies in the UK made approx £350m in payouts to their shareholders last year. Tescos profits rose from approx £800m to £2.3billion earlier this year… and you lot are clutching pearls about some people who have found their way during a cost of living crisis to survive.

There are many immoral things that are perfectly legal and I don’t see many of you wailing about tax evasion and avoidance by the wealthy or huge billion pound profits when people are poorer than ever and costs higher than ever. It should not be one rule for those rich thieving bastards and another for the poor.

I’ve never so much as stolen a sweet from a shop but if I see people struggling daily and others for whatever their own motivation finding a way to ease that struggle my throat jewellery isn’t the first thing I’d reach for.