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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know I am, but this Big Issue seller is trying to sell to the public and I won't go near him even though I want to buy one because....

81 replies

GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 20:14

...he has an enormous rottweiler. That was the reason I haven't been near him to buy one before.

Today I saw him and he had a rottweiler and...a doberman.

And yes, I know companion dogs can be hugely important if you are homeless and that's why I know I'm being unreasonable.

But so many people must give him a wide berth and not buy from him because of his dogs. I;ve seen him walk through the shopping centre without a the rotty on a lead.

OP posts:
nellynaemates · 12/09/2009 20:17

Why don't you approach him and tell him that you're a little bit scared of his dogs but you'd really like to buy the Big Issue? Strike up a conversation, ask him what they're like, if he can keep them on a lead while he's selling.

If you really want to buy it that much do it. If the dogs are an issue speak to him. If actually you really aren't bothered enough about buying it to do something about it then just get on with your life and stop thinking about it!!

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 20:19

I won't approach him because I'm scared of his dogs - like it says in the title!

OP posts:
Fluffypoms · 12/09/2009 20:35

buy one elsewhere!

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 20:40

I would, but he's the only Big Issue seller I've ever seen in town.

OP posts:
Hassled · 12/09/2009 20:42

Call the local Big Issue office and explain your problem. You can't be the only person he's putting off - he's not doing himself any favours. YANBU.

alwayslookingforanswers · 12/09/2009 20:45

ermm GirlsAloud - it doesn't say you're scared of his dogs in the title

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 20:49

No, you're right. It says I won't go near him because he has a massive rottweiler.

I guess it could mean I won't go near him because he has a massive rottweiler and I'm scared it's going to tickle me to death

OP posts:
preciouslillywhite · 12/09/2009 20:55

I hart dogs. I'd always give a BI vendor an extra quid if he'd got a stafford...bet I'm not the only one.Also it gives you something to chat about beyond the "God bless, love" sort of platitutes

mummytotwins · 12/09/2009 21:13

So what do you want him to do with his dog then? surely if he is homeless he has nowhere to leave it!?!?!

If he is able to walk his dog through a town centre not on a lead then I would say that his dog is well behaved and well trained, he would not risk his dog/job if he didnt trust it around strangers. Some people give rotties a bad name, some of them can be incredibly loving and gentle and I bet his is by the sound of it.

Buy off him, tell him your scared of his dog and I bet he tells you what a softie it is etc but will keep it away from you.

SO YABU

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:16

No sodding way.

No way am I wheeling my toddler's head level with his rottie so I can buy a Big Issue.

I have a dog myself and come across lots of dogs when I walk DD but I give them a massive wide berth if I don't know them. No way would I wheel her right up to some strange dog.

OP posts:
hanaboo · 12/09/2009 21:22

yabu and slightly difficult now lol ;)
i do understand that u don't wanna go near the big rotty but is the big issue THAT important to u? i mean, do u REALLY want one? if u do then do as hassled suggested and call the big issue office...

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:24

Difficult now? Why now? Why not from the beginning? Nothing's changed. I don't want to go near his big dog(s) so I don't.

OP posts:
mummytotwins · 12/09/2009 21:28

why call the big issue office though? what harm is he doing? if people dont want to buy off him because of his dog the only person he is hurting is himself!!!

leave him alone, if you dont want to wheel your DD up to him - dont, if you dont want to go near his dog - dont. If you want to support the homeless donate money in a different way.

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:29

That's a good point mummytt, I wonder if BI have a website you can donate to or something else.

OP posts:
preciouslillywhite · 12/09/2009 21:39

Why don't you just chuck him the money from a distance and get him to throw you a mag back??

...to avoid any misunderstanding make sure you make it clear first that you don't want the dog to deliver it to you in its dripping rabid jaws

limonchik · 12/09/2009 21:40

I you don't want to go near the dog then don't. Not sure what the issue is really. The dog might put lots of people off but it's up to him really.

scottishmummy · 12/09/2009 21:47

struggle to grasp the problemo.his choice to have dog.your choice whether or not to buy

you find his dog scary.so buy from someone else?you presume other are giving "a wide berth" maybe not

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:48

I can't really throw that far - the dog isn't on a lead so I'm not really likely to go and start shouting and throwing things at his owner.

But good suggestion, thanks

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 12/09/2009 21:49

you are making a meal out of this.so dont buy.is he only issue seller in town

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:50

Yes, he is the only Big Issue seller in town. I said that earlier.

OP posts:
mummiesnet · 12/09/2009 21:51

YANBU but I wouldn't worry about him because if he has enough money to feed two bloody great dogs and not worry about scaring off business then he probably doesn't need your money anyway.

scottishmummy · 12/09/2009 21:55

his choice to have dog.your choice to buy or not

Original poster
GirlsAreLOud · 12/09/2009 21:58

You've said that SM, now don't make any more of a meal of it

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 12/09/2009 22:01

what is your beef?donate to BI online,no doggies on internet

OrmIrian · 12/09/2009 22:04

Could you park DD a few feet away and then go and buy? If it's DD you're concerned about.