Does anyone else do this?

If you see something that someone put out to the curb for trash and you like it, do you take it?
I DO...I just scored a little tykes picnic table and slide.
Not that we have kids but all our friends do and I thought they would be good for the yard.

YES I am a garbage picker

Re: Does anyone else do this?

i never have but it seems a lot of people do. my mom just put out a lamp from my old bedroom the other day and it was gone before the garbage men came

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I used to go out with a "garbage picker" and it drove me insane. But, when my sister was moving, one of her neighbors tossed out a picture with a broken frame. I loved the picture, took it home fixed the frame, and it's my absolute favorite piece of art that I own. It's an original oil painting, too...I don't know what they were thinking.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I haven't but I have received hand-me-down furniture (that was headed for the garbage if not my home) from friends. Does that count?

I do have a friend who does this and then refinishes what she finds to make it "shabby chic". I must admit she's made some AMAZING pieces. She made a desk out of a door. She used the hole for the door knob as a place to put the cords through for her computer. Genius if you ask me!!

Re: Does anyone else do this?

Posted by Mssissy

If you see something that someone put out to the curb for trash and you like it, do you take it?
I DO...I just scored a little tykes picnic table and slide.
Not that we have kids but all our friends do and I thought they would be good for the yard.

YES I am a garbage picker

Re: Does anyone else do this?

Posted by MrsKelly

i never have but it seems a lot of people do. my mom just put out a lamp from my old bedroom the other day and it was gone before the garbage men came

Re: Does anyone else do this?

Me and dh hate's it when i do this... my mom and sister are the same way, i guess i learned from them, if it's good and in good condition what is their loss is my gain.

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Re: Does anyone else do this?

I garbage picked fire wood today. Wait.... is that considered recycling?

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I havent but I am not against doing it if I saw something I like/want. I have thrown things out before and they are taken fast.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

We threw out a DVD player today if anyone wants to go garbage picking

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I used to be so embarassed when my mom did it but now I do too. We plan to add a deck and redo the yard next year. Right now the patio isn't big enough for the set I want. My dad spotted a neighbor had put out a full set of perfectly good patio furniture. We had him ring the bell and ask if they minded that we'd be hauling it down the block. Hey, now I have a temporary set until the yard gets done!

ETS: It was a little embarassing when the three of us (Dad, DH & I) were carrying a chair each 4 houses down

Message edited 7/11/2007 11:20:06 PM.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

Posted by mrswask

We threw out a DVD player today if anyone wants to go garbage picking

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I have. I got some great back yard toys for my DS.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

No, I haven't...... but I'm always glad when I leave something at the curb and someone takes it.....

Re: Does anyone else do this?

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by MrsKelly

i never have but it seems a lot of people do. my mom just put out a lamp from my old bedroom the other day and it was gone before the garbage men came

Same here.

I have NEVER done that nor do I think I would-- even if I wanted something I would be too that someone would see me in the act of being a "garbage picker"

Does that mean I care what others think and about "image"? Yes.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I am not ashamed to say that I do garbage pick. You would be amazed at what people throw out. DH & I got a Lawn Boy lawn mower that needed a $5 part, a leaf blower, some patio chairs.

my dad use to do it all the time for my nephew's items. He got a brand new walker (in the box), stroller, little tikes car, some power tools

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I never had. But, my husband has many times. Most is wehn he is working on someones house & they are throwing out some stuff. He's like I'll take it. LOL

If I saw something on a curb that I thought was a deal I would call him to ahve him pick it up.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I don't only because I am afraid of bugs and other creepy crawlys that might come out of it

Re: Does anyone else do this?

On occasion. Especially kids outdoor stuff. I figure, it's outdoor stuff anyway, so as long as it's structurally OK, it's still good.

We also put "recyclable" stuff separate from (but still right next to) the other trash at times, knowing that someone may come by and want it.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

DH and I are not garbage pickers but my FIL is and he gets some great stuff. Makes me wonder if we should pick up the habit.

There is this one guy in our neighborhood and every morning (on garbage days) before the garbage men come he goes through everyone's trash.

We cleaned out our garage a couple of months ago. He took almost everything! A broken bed frame, an old futon mattress, you name it and he took it!

Re: Does anyone else do this?

you'd probably buy something for a few dollars if they put it out at a garage sale, so as long as it's not "garbage" it's fine.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

No, I dont' think I could ever do it because when we were younger, my sister threw up on a piece of whicker furniture and my mom decided to throw it out rather than try and clean it... well, some woman came and picked it up... that experience alone made me realize that you never know WHY someone is throwing something away.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I used to do it in college! My friend and I found two retro bar stools. We dragged them home, cleaned them and tada.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I wanted to take something from my neighbor's garbage the other day. But i was too embarassed.

She threw out a beautiful white wooden desk chair. I hated to see it go in the garbage. I hate when things are wasted.

I hope someone else picked it up b/c I was too embarrassed to take it. But it certainly wasnt garbage worthy.

I wish when people throw out massive amounts of good things (such as when moving) they would have a yard sale so good things dont get wasted in the trash.

Re: Does anyone else do this?

I Do!

I have pick up some tables and I refished them and they look great!