Is it 'stealing by accident'?

Have you ever borrowed something, and then you either forgot to return it or they forgot to ask for it back? And then several years later you realize you still have it?

Is there a term for that^ What would you call that scenario?

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I'm asking because the situation I just described currently applies to me. Last night I was going through my very extensive tool collection and I came across a shiny black and orange box that contained a really nice ratchet set. At first I didn't recognize it, and then it hit me: I had borrowed it from a neighbor like ten years ago, and at the time I was living in another state.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Have you ever borrowed something, and then you either forgot to return it or they forgot to ask for it back? And then several years later you realize you still have it?

Is there a term for that^ What would you call that scenario?

---

I'm asking because the situation I just described currently applies to me. Last night I was going through my very extensive tool collection and I came across a shiny black and orange box that contained a really nice ratchet set. At first I didn't recognize it, and then it hit me: I had borrowed it from a neighbor like ten years ago, and at the time I was living in another state.

So, track that person down, and return it.

Add them on Facebook, if you have Facebook. Then let them know you tracked them down specifically to give them their stuff back.

If the ratchet set is worth over $200, I would hire a PI to track this person down and give it to them. It's important!

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Have you ever borrowed something, and then you either forgot to return it or they forgot to ask for it back? And then several years later you realize you still have it?

Is there a term for that^ What would you call that scenario?

---

I'm asking because the situation I just described currently applies to me. Last night I was going through my very extensive tool collection and I came across a shiny black and orange box that contained a really nice ratchet set. At first I didn't recognize it, and then it hit me: I had borrowed it from a neighbor like ten years ago, and at the time I was living in another state.

I had the same thing happen with a book. I found the persons address and mailed it back with a note say sorry for... . It turned out that the person had died in the mean time, but the family was very grateful to get the book back.

It is not stealing. It is just being forgetful.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
It is not stealing. It is just being forgetful.

So you're saying that stealing is a state of mind? DEEP MAN! hmm

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Have you ever borrowed something, and then you either forgot to return it or they forgot to ask for it back? And then several years later you realize you still have it?

Is there a term for that^ What would you call that scenario?

---

I'm asking because the situation I just described currently applies to me. Last night I was going through my very extensive tool collection and I came across a shiny black and orange box that contained a really nice ratchet set. At first I didn't recognize it, and then it hit me: I had borrowed it from a neighbor like ten years ago, and at the time I was living in another state.

You are a lier and a thief....and not in the good Robin Hood way

Originally posted by dadudemon
So, track that person down, and return it.

Add them on Facebook, if you have Facebook. Then let them know you tracked them down specifically to give them their stuff back.

If the ratchet set is worth over $200, I would hire a PI to track this person down and give it to them. It's important!

The guy's an ex-con who's in his late 40's by now (if he's still alive, that is); I can guarantee you that he doesn't have Facebook (trust me on that). But I think I have his phone number written down somewhere. If his number's invalid now, then oh well, its mine now. I might pawn it or sell it to one of my employees.

Hire a PI? Que loco! Now that would be a waste of money. Even if he bought it for 200, its not worth that any more. It still looks and smells brand new and has no wear or tear, but the moment you take it out the store it's considered used.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Hire a PI? Que loco! Now that would be a waste of money. Even if he bought it for 200, its not worth that any more. It still looks and smells brand new and has no wear or tear, but the moment you take it out the store it's considered used.

It's worth the money if you believe in God, kharma, or have a strong drive to do the right thing. You will spend money that exceeds the value of the tools just to do right by your fellow man if you consider doing the right thing paramount.

And, try searching for him on facebook anyway: I'm usually the anti-facebook type, but I have an account that I keep up to date.

Originally posted by dadudemon
So you're saying that stealing is a state of mind? DEEP MAN! hmm

No... 🤪 😆

Keep it.

The neighbor would have asked for it/reminded you a long time ago. No need to go through all the trouble of sending it back. But if you really feel like showing some modesty, just do it then.

My one friend that is a odd person and neven return calls. He let me borrow a movie once, I tired to return it but its not my fault that he doesnt return calls. Oh well.

I once borrowed a friend's wife for a few hours, took her back though.

Originally posted by Quiero Mota
Have you ever borrowed something, and then you either forgot to return it or they forgot to ask for it back? And then several years later you realize you still have it?

Is there a term for that^ What would you call that scenario?

---

I'm asking because the situation I just described currently applies to me. Last night I was going through my very extensive tool collection and I came across a shiny black and orange box that contained a really nice ratchet set. At first I didn't recognize it, and then it hit me: I had borrowed it from a neighbor like ten years ago, and at the time I was living in another state.

Originally posted by dadudemon
It's worth the money if you believe in God, kharma, or have a strong drive to do the right thing. You will spend money that exceeds the value of the tools just to do right by your fellow man if you consider doing the right thing paramount.

And, try searching for him on facebook anyway: I'm usually the anti-facebook type, but I have an account that I keep up to date.

He's a ghetto-ass Native American with a long wrap-sheet and no computer skills. But to be on the safe side I took your advice. I had one of my employees search him on Facebook, Myspace and even a couple of online dating sites. As I expected; nothing came up.

And just for the hell of it, I'm gonna look up the obituaries of Las Cruces, New Mexico for the last ten years.

Originally posted by dadudemon
It's worth the money if you believe in God, kharma, or have a strong drive to do the right thing. You will spend money that exceeds the value of the tools just to do right by your fellow man if you consider doing the right thing paramount.

And, try searching for him on facebook anyway: I'm usually the anti-facebook type, but I have an account that I keep up to date.

Did you get me to add you or did you add me?

edit

ive had a friend whose done this a couple times
i let her borrow Brothers Grimm and she forgot to give it back, but then my mom forgot we even had it in the first place and bought another one
then i let her borrow Guitar Hero 2 and she ended up playing it so much she broke it

once when i was 6, these guys i knew gave me a batman toy to play with, but they said it was mine, so i kept it, and then when i got home my sister was all "You stole that!" and i was all "nu-uh, they said i could keep it!" and she told me to give it back... but i never did.

i have no idea if i stole it, or if they were just saying i could play with it.

they had so many batman toys, and i wanted them all.
maybe i stole, maybe i didn't, i was 6.