what's your moral view on this???

Little_Pickle

hi guys...

I was wondering your views on the following:

We live above a charity shop and every night they throw out loads of bits and bobs which sometimes I take a few things from to sell on eBay.
I think this is okay as it's in the rubbish anyway and there is usually a big crowd sorting through the stuff there every night.

Do you think it's okay to do the same with items that have been left for the charity shop in the evenings?

I think this would be a bit wrong - but a few of my friends have suggested that I take what I think I can sell and return the rest to the charity shop that I don't want.

The reason they think it's okay is that the 'public' also go through the 'good stuff' and take from there too....

I just don't know!

Bunnyinthelights

ooooh, you're brave Pickle-
I think there may be some people that object to this...

I don't really have an opinion hunny.
If it's rubbish, well...

floss2

Do "the public" sort through what has been left? Or is that what your pals think, without really knowing?

Personally, I think you have it the right way round.... if the charity don't want the stuff, then why not. However, if they have been given donations to raise money for the charity, then I wouldn't filter out the Ebaying stuff.

HTH!

Floss x

Treadmill

Its theft plain and simple no matter how you art it up, the items are left for the charity shop and you are stealing from them and in effect from whatever charity the proceeds where to go to.

Seaxwyn

HI Little Pickle,

I think it would be wrong to take stuff that has been donated. But I understand the dilemma. At the end of my road there is an Oxfam book bank, which is often overflowing with donated books, with bags left beside it. I am SO tempted to take those books to sell on Amazon!

So far I have resisted temptation. I will read people's answers with interest.

Little_Pickle

Thanks guys, completely what I think too... which is why I could never bring myself to take the donations.

The stuff in the bin I have no problem taking.
Once, they left 17 (yes that's right 17) black bags of books for the rubbish!

I took all of the bags and put them in my flat. Sorted the kiddies books from adult books.
I then called the local library and local school and people from each came over a the books went to a good home.

(obviously I didn't want anything for them, other than a good home!)

Mostly the stuff in the rubbish is rubbish but have sold a few books / videos and bundles of coathangers - I think I've only made about 20 pounds and I've been there 2 years.

These friends of mine have seen the public go through the donations and have said that I am 'missing a great opportunity'. I laughed at the time and said I thought they were heartless... but then I just wanted to double check that I was doing the right thing!

Thanks again for your comments guys!
xox

Persolv0

If its definately 100% items that are going to the bin that the charity shop have definately thrown out then why not.

If its items that have been left for the charity shop then it would be incredibly immoral to touch it....the wishes of the person that donated it must be respected....they gave it to the charity shop not the crowds of vultures stealing it: then of course every item that gets sold by an individual means less money going to charity...its just wrong

Little_Pickle

Treadmill wrote: »

Its theft plain and simple no matter how you art it up, the items are left for the charity shop and you are stealing from them and in effect from whatever charity the proceeds where to go to.

ooo! just wanted to clarify... I haven't taken anything from the donations! I don't think I could sleep at night!

meyore

I don't think its wrong to take the charity shops rubbish (although, I don't think its legal...:rotfl: ) but taking stuff that is being given to them is like stealing from the charity.

wendy_ann1983

this is a difficult one, most shops ask that stuff not be left outside overnight as people do go through and take bits, if people want to donate then they should do it when the shop is open, if its been left out on the street then is it the shops property?

the good part of me says dont do it but the bad part of me says yeah, why not, but maybe donate a part of the profit to the charity?

Treadmill

I'm wondering if you spoke to the shop whether you could cut a deal to sell stuff for them on Ebay in exchange for a commision or donating some of the proceeds to them, if this charity shop is anything like the help the aged near me then they will be underpricing the items, for example I can buy 2007 paperbacks for 79P so you could both win out of it.