WWYD re: garbage can

[womet]

The people we bought our house from left 2 garbage cans for us. We have another can that we use for garbage, so we have been using those for yard waste. We have them both sitting right outside of our garage. FWIW, our house is on the corner-- our driveway faces the main road of our subdivision while our house faces our street. And our driveway has fairly tall bushes that line it, so these cans aren't really that visible from the road.

A few weeks ago, one of the cans disappeared. We thought it was strange, but weren't upset by this. Then the can magically re-appeared. We were puzzled about what happened, but didn't think anything of it really. And then this weekend, the can diappeared again. We noticed it as we were leaving to run some errands, and then on our way out of the subdivision we saw our garbage can sitting on the street filled with our neighbor's yard waste. I am really irritated that our can has been taken twice now for our neighbors to use, without someone even asking. We have said hello to these guys 2 times since they moved in, but we do not know them at all.

What would you do about this?
-dump their yard waste on their grass and reclaim our trashcan?  (my sister's suggestion)
-dump their yard waste on their driveway and reclaim our trashcan? (my H's first thought)
-do nothing, knowing that the can will likely be returned tomorrow after yard waste is picked up?  (my thought)
-something else?

Regardless of what we end up doing, we will be painting our address on these cans.

[discogranny]

I would do nothing this time and then put your address on the cans ASAP when they come back. It might be enough to deter them from using them but if not, at that point it will be glaringly obvious they are being "borrowed" and you can say something about noticing they have your cans. Right now they could claim they are their cans or something and it would just be hella-awkward.

I generally err on the more passive side when it comes to neighbors because you are kind of stuck with them and bad blood can make your life miserable.

[bluelikejazz]

I would probably be super passive aggressive about it and wait until they were returned, paint the address on them, and then somehow chain them to my house (with a lock so I could unchain them when needed for trash day. I might also put a single trash bag on my neighbors porch.

[womet]

discogranny, I'm with you about being more passive with neighbors. I'd rather not make enemies out of them.

@starflower22, I'm not even sure how I'd ask them. They are having their front steps replaced and their front door is inaccessible right now. I'd have to catch them outside or just getting home to ask. And when I say that I would ask, I mean H. I'm chickenshit when it comes to confrontation.

[womet]

Jan 21, 2014 12:16:18 GMT -5 bluelikejazz said:

I would probably be super passive aggressive about it and wait until they were returned, paint the address on them, and then somehow chain them to my house (with a lock so I could unchain them when needed for trash day. I might also put a single trash bag on my neighbors porch.

H joked that we needed to get an alarm for them if they moved. With my luck though, the wind would knock one over and set off the alarm while we were out of the house. No that would piss off the neighbors.

[Muddled]

This is so weird. If I were to do anything, I would knock on their non-existent door and say I think they took my trash cabs by mistake and I would appreciate it if they would return them.

Who does that shit?

[anaps28]

Can you put your cans in your garage? I would be so pissed if this happened.

[womet]

Jan 21, 2014 12:20:24 GMT -5 Muddled said:

This is so weird. If I were to do anything, I would knock on their non-existent door and say I think they took my trash cabs by mistake and I would appreciate it if they would return them.

Who does that shit?

I know! I just don't understand why anyone would think it's okay to do this.

[womet]

Jan 21, 2014 12:20:59 GMT -5 anaps28 said:

Can you put your cans in your garage? I would be so pissed if this happened.

We could. We were just trying to keep our garage more organized. Although right now, it's super messy.

[womet]

Jan 21, 2014 12:25:06 GMT -5 @starflower22 said:

Did you just recently move there? Perhaps the prior owners took the 2nd can from the neighbors house? So now the neighbors use it when they need it but return it out of generosity? Lol I'm reaching.

We bought the house in 2009. The neighbors in question moved in a year ago.

[rachelgreen]

I would be so beyond annoyed. I think painting your addy is the best first step.

My second step (if they continue to do it regardless of the numbering), would be to put a little sign up saying something to the effect of, "Cans are for 123 Main street only. Do not remove."

Third step is a chat.

[FastHands]

Paint your address definitely.
If they did it again, I'd ask them about it.

[womet]

Thanks ladies!

[whiskeyandwine]

I love your H and sis a lot. 

I'd probably do nothing and continue to be pissed about this for a very long time. So, take no advice from me! 

[FastHands]

I wish there was a way to draw like genitalia on it in a way that they couldn't hide it while using it but you somehow could..

[womet]

Update: the can magically reappeared in our driveway last night. I will be painting our address on them this weekend when it's a touch warmer outside.