An Ethics Question (My Neighbor's Newspaper)

[Atria35]

Okay, since December, there's been a newspaper delivered to my apartment complex. Whoever these belong to hasn't picked them up- not once. It's been a pain, since I've rushed outside and tripped over them, and they're a bit of an eyesore. The people who are hired to shovel/mow the lawns/etc. pick them up and throw them away once a week or so.

So, since it's been more than three months, and this person apparently has no interest in the newspaper, would it be okay for me to take them?

[K. Ayato]

I think you should let this person know that these newspapers are piling up. If it is true that there's no interest in this newspaper, suggest that the subscription be canceled.

[Roy Mustang]

If it is a local newspaper that is free like the one that my town had. Then ther wouldn't be a subscription to be canceled and they would just keep throwing them out.

From what I'm reading, that sounds like what it is. I don't know who in their right mind would have a subscription to a newspaper and not read them at all, your just wasting money.

[Atria35]

The problem with letting my neighbor know about their newspapers is: I don't know which neighbor is getting them. I live in a complex with about 6 other people, and the papers are left outside-outside, not in the hallway.

And it's not a free local paper. It's a paper that costs to be delivered- it's a major newspaper. And since we're a distance from the city, it costs about $300 a year for delivery.

[Rusty Claymore]

Just bother the 6 other people about it. It is a health hazard in the very least, so you have a valid reason to ask around. They might've forgot they subscribed but have a automatic withdrawel setup which makes the paper keep coming. n.n

[shooraijin]

Post something near where the papers are collecting with a phone number.

[TheMewster]

Yeah, I would ask the people in your complex. But I wouldn't know whether it's ethical or not to take the papers in and read them. I'd pray about it. God bless you!

[ClosetOtaku]

True story.

I had this happen to our next door neighbor a couple years back. They would get papers. They wouldn't pick them up. And wouldn't. And wouldn't. One of my other neighbors would good-naturedly dispose of them when trash day came. Then that kindly neighbor moved.

So I did what came naturally.

I picked up the phone, called the newspaper company involved, and cancelled their subscription.

The papers stopped coming, and never came again.

Like I said, true story.

[Atria35]

Hmm. All interesting (and good) ideas. I'll go ahead and put notices on my neighbor's doors about them- I can't put one outside near the papers since they're all over the walk. And I can't cancel the subscription since I don't know which neighbor is getting them.

[Roy Mustang]

Starting to wonder if it was the complex that did the subscription?

[Atria35]

I doubt it, since there are several buildings, and we're the only housing block that gets it. There's a bullitin board next to the mailboxes- I'm going to ask the manager whether I can post something about it there.

[Furen]

If I were in this situation, I'd try to figure out who is ordering them, but if they're not being used, I'd take it, or at least read it, if others get annoyed I'd talk to them about it, maybe if you find out who it isn't, then you can narrow the list.

If they're just being tossed, and nothing else, I'd totally say take it.

But if I knew who it was or what to do, I'd then contact them first.

[Yamamaya]

Steal his newspaper and wait for him to call you and recreate the "You stole my newspaper" prank.

Lame internet references aside, it's probably best to post something on the bulletin board about it, or ask some of the neighbors if they subscribe to this newspaper.

[ShiroiHikari]

Could it be that someone who used to live there had a subscription, moved away, and never canceled it?

[aliveinHim]

Steal his newspaper and wait for him to call you and recreate the "You stole my newspaper" prank.

Lame internet references aside, it's probably best to post something on the bulletin board about it, or ask some of the neighbors if they subscribe to this newspaper.

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