# "Unsolicited merchandise is yours to keep" - Does this apply to incorrectly addressed items also? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764 "2011-12-29T22:01:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/41 "2011-12-31T18:43:05Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > Because of this from the USPS site … > > _ **•Don’t put stamped mail over 13 oz in a blue collection box, Post Office lobby drop box, Automated Postal Center drop box, or any other unattended location.** _ > > I don’t know what they do with it if you did. Especially if you were able to clearly mark it…YOU GUYS SCREWED UP AND DELIVERED THIS TO THE WRONG ADDRESS !!! > > I see that you can schedule a pickup but that seems to apply only to “priority” services. Just put it back in the mailbox. You aren’t sending new mail. Try it. It works. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/42 "2011-12-31T18:47:34Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > That is stealing. You’re right – it’s either that or I throw the package in the dumpster, though. I figure it doesn’t matter which, really, especially since I have no way of finding the current address of the recipient and FedEx/UPS won’t come pick up their junk at a precise time that’s convenient for me that doesn’t involve leaving packages for days on my front walkway – there’ve been any number of break-ins in my complex recently, so that last option is not a sane option. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/43 "2012-01-01T14:51:35Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Just put it back in the mailbox. You aren’t sending new mail. Try it. It works. That makes sense…never thought of it that way. I guess my gut kept me from applying common sense to a government agency (or whatever you call the USPS).😃 ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/44 "2012-01-03T03:00:37Z")
I received a commercial shipper package that wasn’t for me. I called the company, told them I’d leave on my porch. They thanked me and never picked it up. I called again and told them if it was still there on trash pickup day it would be gone. I actually opened it, discovered the contents appropriate for a co-workers offspring and gave it to him. Two crimes confessed in one thread, one real one to illustrate a point. 😛 Searched for the phone number of the addressee but no luck. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/45 "2012-01-03T05:05:25Z")
Isn’t the delivery company still on the hook for the loss, though? They’re the ones who screwed up. So it’s not like you’re stealing from the person who lost the item from no fault of your own. You’re profiting from a mistake by a company that very often doesn’t care that they’ve essentially just paid someone else so that you can have a gift. Now, if they aren’t liable for mistakes, then I don’t know why you would ever use these companies. ---
**Author:** ![Any\_Other\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@Any\_Other\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Any_Other_Name)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/46 "2012-01-04T06:23:09Z")
If you’ve received something of value which you are not entitled, you could face a civil suit for unjust enrichment. Most commonly used to recover bank deposits made in error, the term can as well apply to property or services. Doesn’t matter who was at fault - you don’t get to keep something you are not entitled to. You don’t have to pay for it, you don’t have to volunteer to give it back, there is no criminal liability. But if you’re asked to return it, you will have to give it back, and a civil suit is likely to result in a settlement against you. Courts might take into account how much time has passed. This is a civil suit, so it is possible you could get away with it. But it’s not likely. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/47 "2012-01-04T06:27:37Z")
Can’t you mark or attach a note to a letter or package saying “return to sender/incorrect address” and put it in your mailbox if thats where you found it? ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/48 "2012-01-04T07:25:23Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Can’t you mark or attach a note to a letter or package saying “return to sender/incorrect address” and put it in your mailbox if thats where you found it? Yeah, of course you could. I throw a bunch of trash delivered to my front steps with little tags. I’d fucking love to see some faggot lawyer try to sue my ass because I threw away garbage, or used it to fucking jerk off on. Go ahead, try, bitches. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/49 "2012-01-04T17:53:34Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Yeah, of course you could. I throw a bunch of trash delivered to my front steps with little tags. I’d fucking love to see some faggot lawyer try to sue my ass because I threw away garbage, or used it to fucking jerk off on. Go ahead, try, bitches. **[Moderator Warning** Professional jabs and deliberately offensive derogatory language are not acceptable in General Questions. This is an official warning. Do not do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764/50 "2012-01-06T06:13:47Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > You get to keep the physical check, but the person (or organization) which wrote the check can put a stop payment order on the check, i.e. the physically delivered item (the paper check) is yours to keep. But the bank is not fully obligated to let a deposit attempt through. > > If, however, you deposited it and the deposit went through (which itself can take a couple days, even after you leave the bank), that’s a strong indication that the transaction was valid. This is especially true since any bank would double-check a check deposited for such a large sum. [Related story.](http://www.goodthink.com/writing/view_stories.cfm?id=11&page_id=2) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unsolicited-merchandise-is-yours-to-keep-does-this-apply-to-incorrectly-addressed-items-also/607764.md?page=2)