or possibly a touch paranoid .. or indeed just middle class and sniffy .....

[yeahinaminute]

.... but earlier this morning the bell went and I opened the door to a large pierced, tattooed gentleman ... who asked if I would like him to relieve me of the old tumble drier he'd noticed in my garden from the main road?

Now I'm sure that paints the picture of a garden belonging to Hyacinth Bucket's in-laws ... but it hasn't been there long and I don't have a moss covered caravan/Cortina Mk11 (yellow)/mangle/fierce dog on a chain keeping it company ... I was about to call the council to remove it but it's £15 for up to 3 items and I was trying to gather the other 2 to make it VFM !! ... I digress ...

So LPTG (large pierced, tattooed gentleman) explained he was a scrap merchant ... I dithered a bit and then said ... "Sure - fill your boots) closed the door and he pootled off to the side of the house .... I then got a bit worried and flew out of the back door ... "Need a hand?" (as if - I'm a martyr to my discs)just to make sure he wasn't casing the joint .... it was then i realised the shed door was open and all contents were in full view of LPTG ....
Contents being .... 2 freezers, 2 booze fridges, 1 x tumble drier (new), cases of wine, beer etc ... brace of pheasants hanging from ceiling ( freak me out in the dark!) and the usual sheddy type things ... bicycles, power tools, crap etc ...

So now I'm convincing myself he's going to come round in the night to raid the shed ... or worse....

Now for all I know his name's Tarquin and prior to becoming a scrap metal merchant he studied at the Bar, grows wild orchids and is a member of the RSPB and National Trust, enjoys fell walking and brass rubbing in his spare time and devotes every Sunday afternoon to his mother and Great Aunt Clarissa stitching samplers ....

So have I judged a book by it's cover? Have I become a bigotted old harridan? Am I in fact being unreasonable?

I don't know about bigotted old harridan, but yes YABU No need to fret IMO.

You've judged a book by its cover!

I once had a "gentleman" turn up and ask for some scrap that was in our garden. Tbh I was happy to get rid of it for free and my house wasn't burgled as a result.

YABU

You are a Bigoted Old Harridan and I would be just as paranoid - it's not relevant that he was large and tattooed, just that you have let anyone see what's there for the nicking.

PS were you the poster with the builders called Kev and Our Dean? I seem to recognise the style

YABU, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. After all he did ask you first he didn't just run off with the tumble dryer. You should be more careful with your security arrangements, lots of break ins at the moment not a good idea to store valuable items in a shed especially if they are on view to passers by.

Yep- yabu. Funny post though.

i wouldn't have thought anything he was wanting the old fridge for scrap would probably not want to take on any criminal activity to case your joint and come rob it his just out doing what he does to earn money

YABU, but I would be having a similar freak out!

I am middle class and sniffy though, for sure

I think the fact that he came to your door to politely ask if he could take the machine should have been enough to show you he was reasonably honest.

Do you think all theives are LTPG's

YABU - we have a chap who did just that with an old washing machine we had had sat outside and not got round to paying the council to collect. they do cruise around on the off chance

he makes a living from it. we have his number on a card and have had him back a couple of times to take other stuff, also passed details to friends etc

he comes out same day and is always very polite and friendly
(and we have not been burgled!)

Had he opened the shed door? I speak from paranoia having had sheds broken into on a number of occasions!

It's fine. Someone took a dishwasher off us in the same manner.

Definately being sniffy - and WTF pheasants - but then that's me being wannabe/jealous. Love your new abbreviation - LOL

But that aside, I think you'll be fine. The scrappies come round us regularly and we love to get shot of all our metal stuff - mutual rewards for all concerned.

Poledra - Yes Kev was our Builder and Dean (bless his heart) is back on the tools after spending the summer trying to become a holiday rep!

I have (as a safety precaution) padlocked the shed ... which to be fair I should have done sooner but it's such a bloody palaver to take off / on.

And you are all correct as LPTG (or Tarquin as he will always been known to me) did indeed do the polite thing and call to ask if I wanted it gone ....

So I hold my hands up ....My name is yeahinaminute and I am a Bigotted Old Harridan

YANBU, but IME, depends on scrap metal merchants in your area and other disclaimers.....

We've just had a big refurb using the trusted local builders who have been going 30 odd years. Scrap metal merchants came round regularly to relieve us of unwanted stuff, hot water tanks, radiators etc.

The builders watched them the whole time. Said it was necessary in their experience as they are known for relieving you of "stuff they thought you didn't want".

I don't think you need to be worried that they will come back and break in, but I do think you need to make clear whats up for grabs and what's not. Shut and lock the shed and don't let them round the back.

Did he open the shed door? Or was it open anyway?

If he opened it I'd be worried, if not, just be glad you've got shot of the tumble dryer.

YANBU but only because your post made me laugh.

No the door was freely swinging in the wind due to my idleness ....

did he look like this?

This has made me laugh! Not sure whether you're a bigoted old harridan or not because I know I would be thinking exactly the same as you (minus the pheasants, clearly I'm not as middle class as I'd hoped!).

BariatricO ... no ... much less hair ... he was a closely cropped gent ... and no tache or beard ...