Money Moral Dilemma: Should I drink the milk?

janaltus

I think the rule regarding unsolicited goods is that - if they fail to take away their goods after you have advised them to do so - you are entitled to make a reasonable charge to them for storage. [see footnote]

However, it sounds to me (as an ex-milk round lad) that either:
a) someone is making an honest attempt to start-up or develop a milk round and has left you a generous sample, in the hope you'll take the bait (that is frequently what happens with start-ups).
Or:
b) the milkman (or, more likely, the milk round lad or lass) has accidentally delivered milk to the wrong front door (it happens quite a bit, especially on a new round)!

In either case, personally I'd put the milk to good use (perhaps make a rice pudding or creme caramel if there is more milk there than you'd usually consume) or a nice mug of hot chocolate. :coffee:

Also, either way, why not leave a large, clearly legible note on your front door saying simply "No milk, thank you!" If the cheeky blighter knocks on the door asking for money, you can always tell him to naff off without a worry; reputation is everything to a milkman so he's not going to want you mouthing off to the neighbours that he is litigious or argumentative.

But ... you could also offer to pay him a fair price for the milk, wish him well in his new venture and firmly ask him, face to face, not to deliver milk to you again (or, at least, not in the forseeable future).

:wave:

On the other hand, while it lasts, you might like to take advantage of our perculiar British institution of friendly doorstep deliveries, of milk, cream, butter, eggs, juice, yoghurt, etc.

[footnote] The Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 makes it an offence for a company to send you goods you have not ordered. The legislation is intended to discourage companies from sending customers unordered goods in the hope that they will be induced by lethargy or ignorance to pay for them. Companies who send out unordered goods in this way do so at great risk since once you receive the goods you do not have to pay for them and they are yours to keep. Source: The Guardian.

VoucherMan

I'd use it.

As you say it would got off in the heat so no point leaving it there.

You'd be helping anyway as it's possible that if it were collected it could then be redelivered to someone else,and they wouldn't want lumpy milk.

Wessex_Wanderer

What milk?

NSG666

Throw it in the bin and forget about it

baldmosher

janaltus wrote: »

[footnote] The Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 makes it an offence for a company to send you goods you have not ordered. The legislation is intended to discourage companies from sending customers unordered goods in the hope that they will be induced by lethargy or ignorance to pay for them. Companies who send out unordered goods in this way do so at great risk since once you receive the goods you do not have to pay for them and they are yours to keep. Source: The Guardian.

How did Britannia Music Club get away with that model for so long?

Deanevans

If you drink it you have either bought it or are stealing it. Simples

fitshase

I would leave it out. It's obviously their mistake. However, make sure it's not on your property as some local burglar could take it as a sign you are away on holiday and you could be woken up one night by them breaking in.

It's similar to the catalogues we get (Avon, Bettaware, etc). They all shove one through the door then knock a week later asking for it back The Avon lady yesterday was extremely rude and impatient while I had to go and hunt for it so I told her that I don't want any more catalogues and if they post it again, it will be put in the recycling as unsolicited mail ;-)

minerva_windsong

I agree with the person who said put it in your fridge for now and then ring them again to see what they say. You never know, they might just say to keep it if they can't sell it on.

Alternatively if you know your neighbours well enough it may be worth asking them if they've ordered any milk in case it's been delivered to you by mistake.

rose.wyn

You should certainly leave it outside untouched. I would think that, legally, the minute you take it indoors - even if only to stop it going off - you are non-verbally agreeing to the delivery. You don't want it, you told them you didn't want the delivery - this is another form of cold-call selling. Don't be coerced into something you don't want to do. I know it will be hard to see it going off - but that is the fault of the delivery firm and the only way they will get the message. Be firm and good luck.

Shenksie

I know it's not really an answer to the question, but if we all took milk from the farmers rather than the supermarkets, and had it delivered to our doors, we'd go a huge distance to saving our dairy industry, which would in turn save our countryside by saving the farmers from going out of business by being ripped-off by supermarket giants who pay a pittance for the production of milk. And if we save our dairy industry, we'd save ourselves from pollutants in foreign - particularly American - milk, such as blood, pus and excessive hormones. Our farmers have to follow codes of animal welfare and hygeine that stop all these infectants reaching the food chain. Still, we don't like to be lectured do we? And we do like our convenience. Me too, if I'm honest!