Suppliers using inside-out USPS boxes...

[The Animal Farm]

I don't think Kiki ever meant to imply that stealing was ok. I think she just meant in the grand scheme of things, let's not blow it out of proportion.

And she's right, misusing a box will not be the end of the world. Like I said we have all made mistakes even knowingly. It's the ability to 'fess up that makes the difference. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, the waitress gave me a dollar too much in change last week. I went back to to cafe and returned it. It was the decent thing to do but as it also turned out she told me their wages get docked for any underages on their drawer. I just figure someone at some point someone may do the same thing for me.

[Kiki's Mom]

Thank you, no I certainly did not mean to imply that it was okay. I just thought it's a little extreme to equate these people with the scum of the earth. It's like people who take towels from hotel rooms...I guess I just think there's more important things to get your panties in a knot about. And besides - everyone seems to be accepting the supplies in this illegal form of shipment! That's what's hilarious to me. Isn't that supporting this horribly criminal act?

[tiatrack]

But Kiki did imply that stealing is okay. She stole an entire bag of cat litter and "won't lose any sleep over it."

Using those boxes and turning them inside out is definitely stealing. The boxes are provided free of charge for those people that utilize priority mailing. If you don't do that, you stole them. I'm moving in a few months...maybe I'll just go to the post office and get lots of priority mail boxes to pack my smaller items since they are cheaper than going to wherever and buying moving boxes. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? That's exactly what people are doing when they turn them inside out in my opinion. Obviously the goverment agrees, since it is illegal to do so.

I also never thought to ask people what box they plan on using when they ship stuff to me, and if they are low enough to steal boxes, I can't imagine they would give a person back their money if they objected to the box.

[puffandangel]

to me this is no different than when you let your car stickers roll over one extra month every year....its kinda cheating, but does it really matter? does taking a box make you awful? no. to me though it does make a difference if its a big company doing or if its a small home business. i mean if i ordered something from amazon and it came in inside out usps boxes i would be like uhhhh??? but if i ordered something from a fellow board member and it came in a usps box, i wouldnt really mind. but i do think using perfectly good boxes as fillers is stupid, crumple up some newspaper!

[Kiki's Mom]

But Kiki did imply that stealing is okay. She stole an entire bag of cat litter and "won't lose any sleep over it."

This is unbelievable. I accidentally stole the cat litter, it was not intentional. I decided to let it go and didn't make it right. I also clearly stated that I should have. Again - WORDS IN MY MOUTH. And no I won't lose any sleep over it. I won't make it a habit but I am at peace with the good I do on a regular basis so I think God will still let me in.

Just to clarify:

I got away with putting cat litter underneath my grocery store cart - you should try it!

I think stealing is okay, therefore I think it's alright for people to turn boxes inside out.

Had I said either of those statements then your accusation that I support stealing would be correct. I did not so I resent the implication.

[The Animal Farm]

Not to divert...but kiki mentioned the towel thing... there is a really nice hotel I stay when I'm in St. Paul. They have a sign "All towels, bathrobes and linens in this room have been inventoried. If one should make it's way into your suitcase we will assume that you wished to purchase some of our quality dry goods. We will then charge your credit card accordingly" I like that.

[Kiki's Mom]

I can't imagine they would give a person back their money if they objected to the box.

So if you feel THAT strongly about what they ship the supplies in and it's SOOOO unethical, then you should take the chance and risk not getting your money back. Or is there a price limit on your morality?

[HedgeMom]

It's stealing. So if taking the boxes and turning them inside out is "acceptable" stealing, what's "unacceptable" stealing? And who decides? So, if you can use the USPS boxes for your own purposes, can I take your truck b/c I need it to go to the dump? I'm not even going to keep it, just borrow it without your permission. Can I use some of your checks to pay my bills? I'm all out. Can I hook my hose to your water spigot and use your water instead of mine?

Oh, and I'm taking your clothes. Mine are all dirty.

[Kiki's Mom]

It's stealing. So if taking the boxes and turning them inside out is "acceptable" stealing, what's "unacceptable" stealing? And who decides? So, if you can use the USPS boxes for your own purposes, can I take your truck b/c I need it to go to the dump? I'm not even going to keep it, just borrow it without your permission. Can I use some of your checks to pay my bills? I'm all out. Can I hook my hose to your water spigot and use your water instead of mine?

Oh, and I'm taking your clothes. Mine are all dirty.

Sure you can! Then that will negate my cat litter theft.

[The Animal Farm]

Debate is a means to provoke thought in other people not tempers. I love to debate just to hear other people's views. Please don't take anything that I say as being pointed at a particular person. Even if it sounds like I am, I'm not.