Is this what we've come to?

RiseToMe · 19-10-2011 8:01am #1

This morning I was taking my rubbish out to the bin in the communal area, as I arrived I noticed a hand written note. I can't remember the exact wording but the run down of it was "we're a young couple expecting our first baby if you have any old toys or clothes that you're getting rid of please give them to us, our number is.."
Maybe I'm just a right softie but my first thought was of going down to penny's and buying them some bits and pieces. I'll spend the next few weeks on adverts getting what I can that's up for free, i have a car so I will travel to get them.

Are we really at a stage where a couple has to look to strangers for old clothes for their first born?

I can understand asking friends and family, but to swallow your pride and put a sign like that up to strangers is heartbreaking IMO.

cml387 · 19-10-2011 8:05am

I see certain eastern European collectors have hit on a new Modus Operandum

Mr Benevolent · 19-10-2011 8:05am

Hmm, I'd want to talk to them first, but what's the harm in secondhand toys and stuff? Once they're washed properly the baby won't care. We spend waaay too much on newborns as it is.

I see certain eastern European collectors have hit on a new Modus Operandum

Doesn't sound very efficient TBH.

staker · 19-10-2011 8:05am

My first instincts are SCAM!!

At least I hope it is:(

Gummy Panda · 19-10-2011 8:06am

This stuff happen during the boom too.

Also pics or it didn't happen. Too many people saying made up sob stories so they can wallow in economic misery.

Oranage2 · 19-10-2011 8:10am

A simple phone call will sort this out -

Also SVP will give out free stuff so I suspect a scam.

Fago! · 19-10-2011 8:10am

**** that, have you seen the flashy toys kids have these days? I'd nearly keep the toys for meself, what with their lasers and fire power.

Biggins · 19-10-2011 8:11am

Those same people can go direct to the likes of St Vincent De Paul and ask for help.
I would be every suspicious of any notes left. There are so many scams like this being used. Of course they are written to play to the heart!

Just last night on Irish TV video was shown of bags being stolen out of the charity bins by three people in one van alone (and they used a kid to actually climb into the bins) and they managed to rob 15 full bags before security came alone.

stovelid · 19-10-2011 8:12am

They probably want to sell them on, like the second hand clothing collections.

RiseToMe · 19-10-2011 8:14am

Il take a pic tonight but il be leaving out the number And the name for obvious reasons.
Tbh I would be somebody that would presume scam normally but the English was perfect along with the handwriting etc.

Fago! · 19-10-2011 8:16am

I hate that everyone - me included - is so cynical that the first thing we think of is SCAM! Whereas, unlikely though, it could just be some Joe who's down on his luck and needs a bit of help for his baby's sake. Makes me worry.

Orando Broom · 19-10-2011 8:17am

It's a scam there are a few shops opening that are taking cash for old textiles. some enterprising outfit is trying to relieve you of your vendibles so they can sell on for profit.

It's essentially what the Underpants Gnomes wanted to do but couldn't figure out phase two. Well now they have!

Biggins · 19-10-2011 8:22am

Fago! wrote: »

I hate that everyone - me included - is so cynical that the first thing we think of is SCAM! Whereas, unlikely though, it could just be some Joe who's down on his luck and needs a bit of help for his baby's sake. Makes me worry.

Thats why those that are actually carrying out real scams, should be condemned.
Some occasionally say "...A' sure its only clothes or objects..." but if the scams are not stopped, we become further cynical of even the genuine cases which we find harder to differentiate due to deliberate similarity by the con-artists - which is a shame.

The Scientician · 19-10-2011 8:23am

OK I get how you can make a few bob out of old clothes, sure rag and bone men have been doing it for years. But how is getting old toys out of people a scam? Or is it more, people feeling sorry for them will ring the number and then the good samaritan gets tapped for a few bob?

Fago! · 19-10-2011 8:28am

Biggins wrote: »

Thats why those that are actually carrying out real scams, should be condemned.
Some occasionally say "...A' sure its only clothes or objects..." but if the scams are not stopped, we become further cynical of even the genuine cases which we find harder to differentiate due to deliberate similarity by the con-artists - which is a shame.

Yeah it's the genuine people that end up paying for it. Scam artists are getting worse and more devious, and as a result people are too cynical and aren't as trusting as they used to be

You said it Biggins, it's a shame.

Biggins · 19-10-2011 8:29am

The Scientician wrote: »

OK I get how you can make a few bob out of old clothes, sure rag and bone men have been doing it for years. But how is getting old toys out of people a scam? Or is it more, people feeling sorry for them will ring the number and then the good samaritan gets tapped for a few bob?

You find that the toys will end up at car-boot sales to begin with. Genuine home sellers dropped in on by con-people selling off their collected stuff.

Mr. Presentable · 19-10-2011 8:34am

If you are throwing it out anyway what do you care if someone else recycles it?

Orando Broom · 19-10-2011 8:42am

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

If you are throwing it out anyway what do you care if someone else recycles it?

It is done so under false pretences. As someone said about a rag and bone man, you knew who he was and what his motivations were. You could make an informed decision.

The scammers are pretending to be something their not and a conning people into giving away unwanted consumables for their profit where those items could be given to genuinely needy people for gratis.

Galtee · 19-10-2011 8:51am

I would have to say scam also, afterall, they can afford paper and a pen and sticky stuff.

Galtee · 19-10-2011 8:59am

Mr. Presentable wrote: »

If you are throwing it out anyway what do you care if someone else recycles it?

Orando Broom wrote: »

It is done so under false pretences. As someone said about a rag and bone man, you knew who he was and what his motivations were. You could make an informed decision.

The scammers are pretending to be something their not and a conning people into giving away unwanted consumables for their profit where those items could be given to genuinely needy people for gratis.

I agree with both of these sentiments, I have no issue with other people recycling my old stuff as long as they're up front about it which is why I'd rather give to the registered charities. But even then there's no guarantee that it get's there as around my area, the unregistered guys come around earlier and try and take the bags left out for the registered charities. Bloody disgrace, I must have stopped the same guy 3 times from taking bags we'd left out.

Is this what we've come to?

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