donations on the curb…..

[jkboison]

Here’s something I have been wondering and I knew I could find some opinions about it here ; )…..

Are donations set on the curb and clearly marked for pick up by a certain organization (NW Center) fair game for anyone walking by to go through and take stuff before it is picked up??

I put a bunch of stuff out for pick up last week and noticed a couple bags were gone before NWC even got there. Annoying but it was out for donation anyway, hopefully someone who took it actually needed it…..

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[Bonnie]

No, I don’t think it is fair game for anybody to pick up. I doubt it was another charity organization picking it up…probably just someone who wanted something for free.

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[beachdrivegirl]

I dont think so. That is completly wrong. If someone is clearly trying to make a donation to NW Center it is not fair game for whome ever driving by to pick stuff up.

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[Ken]

It has happened to me a few times. I live across from SHA housing though and I put out stuff with a “free” sign on it fairly regularly. Some kids don’t really understand that the stuff with the tag on it is meant for NWC.

There is some interesting stuff next door at the moment with a free sign on it. Composite floor joists 15′ long. Very expensive it you had to buy them. Also very hard to haul anywhere without a truck. I am making raised bed planters out of the ones I snagged.

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[flowerpetal]

This is clearly stealing from NWC or whatever organization it was intended for. We use our donations as taxable deductions also. If the whole donation was gone when NWC arrived we wouldn’t get a donation receipt. Our donations stay close to the garage door and not a curbside. There have been times when we have put items on the parking strip clearly marked “free.” We have always been surprised at what people will take away!

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[charlabob]

I think I live in the wrong neighborhood…I’ve actually put things on the parking strip, marked free, and no one took them. :-(

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[jkboison]

I heard of something funny…

My father in laws friend kept putting stuff out on the curb with FREE signs and no one would take it. Then he put out a $10 sign and the percieved vaue of the items went up and the items were then ‘stolen’ !!

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[charlabob]

JK, that is brilliant! I’ll even leave a can for people to put their money in and a sign saying “making change is on the honors system.”

I’ll either make a few $$$, get rid of a bunch of junk that may be someone’s treasure, or have to haul it all back into the carport. Thank you!

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[Bernicki]

Sometimes I’ll put something big on the curb with a “free” sign, and then immediately go inside and post it on the Craigslist free stuff–“here’s my address, it’s on the curb, come get it.” When the item leaves, I take the posting down.

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[Anonymous]

Charla, your neighborhood is too classy. Come dump stuff on my curb. It’s gone before I get back in the house :)

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[charlabob]

My neighborhood is not that classy — the classy houses must be on the other side of the street (with da mayor). Remember, I’m only three blocks from the rainbow house. Hey, JT, don’t mess with my self-image :-)

Between Bernicki and JK, I may not have to hire Ms. Clutter after all.

Of course, none of these strategies will work unless it Stops Raining Some Day!

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[Bikefor1]

Leaving it on the curb makes it easier for the truck driver/volunteer to pick it up, but also for passersby to help themselves. What if you were to leave it on your walk or driveway, closer to your house?

At my building we leave things by the front door. I think the charity is more likely to get it that way. You would have to be truly BRAZEN to walk up to a residence to ‘help yourself’.

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