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pot calling the kettle black?

He shouldn't let them go for tips - you shouldn't be taking them.

As its useful recycling I would have taken it but been happy to give matey his fiver.

Quote: Originally posted by Tricky0001979 on 30/5/2010

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We had to go to the Tip(Refuge Rcycling Centre) today, so while there we'd thought we'd ask about getting a second cyclinder for our bailey ranger.

The attendent said on asking wether we could buy an empty gas bottle, said they did not sell them but we could take one so we emptied our car of junk and went to the gas storage area.

On inspection of the bottles they had we chose a 15kg calor bottle I had loaded it in the car when the attendent stated that there pricey things to buy and hinted that he wanted some money so we said we had none and then he let us go on our way.

We went to get a full bottle from a caravan dealers, and latter we had to go back with more things to throw out when the same attendant came to our car window and said where's the bottle. Which we replied it's at home, then he said, where's my fiver.

We were surprised that he had blantantly wanted money as he was not allowed to sell them. So we thought that the council who run the centre would like to hear about one of their staff trying to sell gas cyclinders after he had stated they can't sell them.

After that he got really annoyed and said don't you phone the council then said what points to put our rubbish in then we left.

What would of you done in our situation.

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I think where it started to go wrong was when you turned up asking to BUY a gas bottle.  I have previously got bottles from the tip and have always made it clear that I wanted it for free.  Only once was the subject of money mentioned by the attendant, I politely declined and then a few days later returned, spoke to a different attendant and got my free bottle.  As for offering to buy anything from refuse/recycling attendents, I think it is a fairly safe assumption that they do not officially handle payments of any kind (my local tip certainly does not have that appearance) and therefore any cash transaction would be 'a back-hander', ie illegal.  Therefore, to first offer cash, and then tell him you will report him once he requests it, is perhaps a little harsh, although I too would be annoyed if he had first allowed you to take it home for free!

Well said Tentz!

We used to be able to get bottles from our local tip - but last time one of our friends asked the guy said they are not allowed to any more.  I guess he had been grilled by his boss after the do with the OP!!!

well he proberly wwill not be doing anybody else a faver, he did not have to let you take it, you saved yourshelf money, i think most people would gladly pay £5.00.

but then you use theats of telling his  employers, very nice !

I think you've not quite grasped the system here. They're not allowed to sell bottles, true. But that's not to say the more obliging attendants won't politely ignore you while you pick up a bottle discretely. At this point the traditional thank you of "Have a pint on me, mate" is expected. Yup, it's a bribe/gratuity. And? You took a cylinder when it's not allowed, after all. He saved you a LOT of money and you're balking at a fiver and threatening him with possibly losing his job?

 If you don't want to play the game, fair enough, don't do it. But in effect you just stole that gas bottle you know. If you report him, the least you can do is return the bottle. If you want to take the moral high ground over this, buy your bottle from the nearest dealer instead.