Comments on: What happens to junk left behind in foreclosed homes? http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: johnnyaction http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421634 johnnyaction Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421634 I have a house that is on the verge, if not well past, of not being mine anymore. I love what is still left in the house but I don't have the room for it. I cleared out everything I *really* care for and have room for. I've cried about it, broke my heart over it and at this point I just want closure one way or another. If I can get my loan modded to get caught up I can cover current costs. I've been waiting since december 1st when I applied for a special modification to find out the status. I have a house that is on the verge, if not well past, of not being mine anymore. I love what is still left in the house but I don’t have the room for it. I cleared out everything I *really* care for and have room for.

I’ve cried about it, broke my heart over it and at this point I just want closure one way or another.

If I can get my loan modded to get caught up I can cover current costs. I’ve been waiting since december 1st when I applied for a special modification to find out the status.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-1040904 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1040904 I had to leave my home with my two little girls and had nowhere to go so we came back to the UK from Spain. I paid for a hotel to stay for a few days whilst I sorted out what do next. It was a lot of hard work to find a roof over our heads and a very long road to finding a permanent one. I was emotionally drained since not long before leaving Spain my son had died in a road traffic accident. I had no energy and certainly no money to organise the removal of our contents, but I believed I had enough time to do somethng about it as things move soooo slowly out out there...Anyway recently learned that all my beautiful memorabilia, photographs etc. had been thrown away by the bank even though they knew me and my circumstances. I keep ringing to see if they tell me WHERE they dumped it all 'cos I'm willing to dig for my son's things, photos etc. but I keep getting the cold shoulder.d I I'm beyond myself with distress and I feel I'm being stepped-on from a very great height by the bank. By the way the house was lost because my husband had left and I became too ill following the death of my son. I had to leave my home with my two little girls and had nowhere to go so we came back to the UK from Spain. I paid for a hotel to stay for a few days whilst I sorted out what do next. It was a lot of hard work to find a roof over our heads and a very long road to finding a permanent one. I was emotionally drained since not long before leaving Spain my son had died in a road traffic accident. I had no energy and certainly no money to organise the removal of our contents, but I believed I had enough time to do somethng about it as things move soooo slowly out out there…Anyway recently learned that all my beautiful memorabilia, photographs etc. had been thrown away by the bank even though they knew me and my circumstances. I keep ringing to see if they tell me WHERE they dumped it all ‘cos I’m willing to dig for my son’s things, photos etc. but I keep getting the cold shoulder.d I I’m beyond myself with distress and I feel I’m being stepped-on from a very great height by the bank. By the way the house was lost because my husband had left and I became too ill following the death of my son.

]]> By: stuckinkiel http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421641 stuckinkiel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421641 @13 bardfinn - My point was that we are at the beginning of a wave of mortgage defaults as housing prices decline. These mortgages are the base of a financial pyramid that is collapsing because the CDSs you are talking about are on CMOs which are based on mortgages. No one can know magnitude of the losses in the CMOs and therefore CDSs until housing prices stabilize - and at this point that looks like they won't be any time soon. @10 nehpetsE - Kudos for defending the poor. But I wasn't blaming the poor, I was trying to point out that just because you default on a mortgage does not mean that you are poor. If you bought a house for one million and it is now worth half that much and you think the value is going to drop further, would you continue making the payments, rich or poor? Also, did you have a look at that house and what they left behind? @13 bardfinn – My point was that we are at the beginning of a wave of mortgage defaults as housing prices decline. These mortgages are the base of a financial pyramid that is collapsing because the CDSs you are talking about are on CMOs which are based on mortgages. No one can know magnitude of the losses in the CMOs and therefore CDSs until housing prices stabilize – and at this point that looks like they won’t be any time soon.

@10 nehpetsE – Kudos for defending the poor. But I wasn’t blaming the poor, I was trying to point out that just because you default on a mortgage does not mean that you are poor. If you bought a house for one million and it is now worth half that much and you think the value is going to drop further, would you continue making the payments, rich or poor? Also, did you have a look at that house and what they left behind?

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421666 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421666 (#23) REMEZ - I'm not saying there's no value, as thee clearly is, I'm saying there's no market for it today. Who is going to buy an 8 year old rear projection TV when Circuit City is going under? Who is going to move it the 30 miles to a shop that might sell it? Is the margin there to make it worthwhile when there's another house to junk-out with your one truck? (#22) Beavatron Repairman has it about right as far as I've seen. (#23) REMEZ – I’m not saying there’s no value, as thee clearly is, I’m saying there’s no market for it today.

Who is going to buy an 8 year old rear projection TV when Circuit City is going under? Who is going to move it the 30 miles to a shop that might sell it?
Is the margin there to make it worthwhile when there’s another house to junk-out with your one truck?

(#22) Beavatron Repairman has it about right as far as I’ve seen.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-707372 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-707372 What happens if one of these property management teams comes in before a foreclosure ? That happen to my family. We still lived there! we were at work and they came and locked us out after they riffled through our belongings. Who is responsible, the lender for putting them up to it or the property management or both ??? It was Countrywide now owned by Bank of America. Bank of America accepted the problems that followed these loans right? What happens if one of these property management teams comes in before a foreclosure ? That happen to my family. We still lived there! we were at work and they came and locked us out after they riffled through our belongings. Who is responsible, the lender for putting them up to it or the property management or both ??? It was Countrywide now owned by Bank of America. Bank of America accepted the problems that followed these loans right?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-789294 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-789294 You have a good point stuckinkiel. Unfortunately what they don't see is they could eventually leave the house to their children..their generation could make money on it. Also look at the Home Equity Loans they took out before foreclosure and don't have to pay back when they foreclose. That's rent and deposit for somewhere else. Plus most people buy new furniture when they buy a home and when in foreclosure they lose all their furniture because the Banks / Realtors aren't held by law like landlords are to keep the furniture in storage for at least 30 days so they could come back to reclaim all of it or sell what they can. You have a good point stuckinkiel. Unfortunately what they don’t see is they could eventually leave the house to their children..their generation could make money on it. Also look at the Home Equity Loans they took out before foreclosure and don’t have to pay back when they foreclose. That’s rent and deposit for somewhere else. Plus most people buy new furniture when they buy a home and when in foreclosure they lose all their furniture because the Banks / Realtors aren’t held by law like landlords are to keep the furniture in storage for at least 30 days so they could come back to reclaim all of it or sell what they can.

]]> By: stuckinkiel http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421424 stuckinkiel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421424 Not to make light of the suffering of people who are loosing their homes because they have lost their jobs, but not all of the people who are being foreclosed on are in dire financial straits. Due to continually falling house prices, more and more people are deciding to stop making mortgage payments because they are realizing that the house they bought may never be worth the price they paid for it. For them it makes financial sense to just walk away, even though they could make the payments. This is a serious problem and is, I think, the main reason that this economic crisis is not going to end anytime soon. Not to make light of the suffering of people who are loosing their homes because they have lost their jobs, but not all of the people who are being foreclosed on are in dire financial straits. Due to continually falling house prices, more and more people are deciding to stop making mortgage payments because they are realizing that the house they bought may never be worth the price they paid for it. For them it makes financial sense to just walk away, even though they could make the payments. This is a serious problem and is, I think, the main reason that this economic crisis is not going to end anytime soon.

]]> By: Brother Provisional http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421426 Brother Provisional Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421426 Behold, the new golden age of dumpster diving! Behold, the new golden age of dumpster diving!

]]> By: vespabelle http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421940 vespabelle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421940 I suspect most of the stuff has very little resale value. And considering how most Americans spend, I suspect the clothes are cheap polyester, the furniture cheap particle board and everything else is cheap plastic. I suspect most of the stuff has very little resale value. And considering how most Americans spend, I suspect the clothes are cheap polyester, the furniture cheap particle board and everything else is cheap plastic.

]]> By: dainel http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-423222 dainel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-423222 Those people who said "it's only junk left" didn't watch the video. First segment (half the video): Plenty of good stuff left. John (the trash out crew's boss) is saying he tried to donate the stuff to charity; but they don't turn up when they said they would; or they'd come, pick what they want, and leave the junk. His crew then have to make a second trip to the house. The reporter says although the homeowners knows months in advance of the impending foreclosure, they often leave in a hurry. John says maybe due to despair, they just walk out with their wallets, the clothes they wear, and a few stuff they really need. *HE* says there's plenty of good stuff being left behind. We see the crew taking some of the stuff home. The reporter gets to take a cabinet home. Second segment: Different crew. The house is mostly clean on the inside. Some junk out back, which they throw away. Third segment: Another crew. There's plenty of good stuff. He's looking at two painting, then table, furniture. He says he'll take them home, but his home is already full. So they go to the land fill. Last segment: Looked like this homeowner actually did put up a "come get free stuff" advertisement, and a horde of people came and trashed the place. The man was saying, it would take $100,000 to make it habitable again. But all I see is rubbish strewn everywhere, some broken furniture upended in the garage, algae in a nearly empty swimming pool. Maybe the house needs new carpets, the walls may need cleaning. But $100,000 ?!!! I can see the problem with allowing people to rummage through the home, but why not have a garage sale? If the homeowner do not want to do this because they are too depressed, or because whatever they get will go to the bank, the trash out guys could do this. Send your cousin over 1 day before trash out. He'll look through the stuff, move everything remotely useable to the lawn, and sell them all off. When the crew come, there'll be less stuff for the landfill. Those people who said “it’s only junk left” didn’t watch the video.

First segment (half the video): Plenty of good stuff left. John (the trash out crew’s boss) is saying he tried to donate the stuff to charity; but they don’t turn up when they said they would; or they’d come, pick what they want, and leave the junk. His crew then have to make a second trip to the house. The reporter says although the homeowners knows months in advance of the impending foreclosure, they often leave in a hurry. John says maybe due to despair, they just walk out with their wallets, the clothes they wear, and a few stuff they really need. *HE* says there’s plenty of good stuff being left behind. We see the crew taking some of the stuff home. The reporter gets to take a cabinet home.

Second segment: Different crew. The house is mostly clean on the inside. Some junk out back, which they throw away.

Third segment: Another crew. There’s plenty of good stuff. He’s looking at two painting, then table, furniture. He says he’ll take them home, but his home is already full. So they go to the land fill.

Last segment: Looked like this homeowner actually did put up a “come get free stuff” advertisement, and a horde of people came and trashed the place. The man was saying, it would take $100,000 to make it habitable again. But all I see is rubbish strewn everywhere, some broken furniture upended in the garage, algae in a nearly empty swimming pool. Maybe the house needs new carpets, the walls may need cleaning. But $100,000 ?!!!

I can see the problem with allowing people to rummage through the home, but why not have a garage sale? If the homeowner do not want to do this because they are too depressed, or because whatever they get will go to the bank, the trash out guys could do this. Send your cousin over 1 day before trash out. He’ll look through the stuff, move everything remotely useable to the lawn, and sell them all off. When the crew come, there’ll be less stuff for the landfill.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-422712 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-422712 People probably aren't leaving the stuff there intentionally. The banks often lock the place up against the residents before they have the opportunity to clear it out. All that "stuff" belongs to the banks and it is supposedly illegal for you to break in and retrieve it. This just seems wrong to me it is very hard to get evicted from your apartment but a bank can come in and lock your door without any more notice than that they have had enough of your not making payments. I am sorry, but if had means to retrieve my belongings from a now bank owned property, I would break in. Especially after seeing how it is all going into the landfill. It is actually kind of nice of those trash out people to send personal documents back to the people. People probably aren’t leaving the stuff there intentionally. The banks often lock the place up against the residents before they have the opportunity to clear it out. All that “stuff” belongs to the banks and it is supposedly illegal for you to break in and retrieve it. This just seems wrong to me it is very hard to get evicted from your apartment but a bank can come in and lock your door without any more notice than that they have had enough of your not making payments. I am sorry, but if had means to retrieve my belongings from a now bank owned property, I would break in. Especially after seeing how it is all going into the landfill.

It is actually kind of nice of those trash out people to send personal documents back to the people.

]]> By: zuzu http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-422719 zuzu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-422719 <blockquote>Why does the bank have to assume all the risk of a property dropping in value?</blockquote>Because that's <i>exactly</i> the business that lenders are in??? Well, not the risk of property dropping in value, but certainly the risk of borrowers defaulting. <blockquote>The whole system is run by computer algorithms and is incapable of making any adjustments that would be in the favor of both the bank and the homeowner. That's a big problem. In many cases, a fairly renegotiated rate, a three month holiday tacked onto the end of the loan or a lengthening of the term of the loan would have kept people from defaulting.</blockquote>Goddamn right. Which is why banks that can't adapt to do what you describe, and consequently fail as a result, <i>should</i> fail. (<i>Not</i> get bailed out by tax payors instead.)

Why does the bank have to assume all the risk of a property dropping in value?

Because that’s exactly the business that lenders are in??? Well, not the risk of property dropping in value, but certainly the risk of borrowers defaulting.

The whole system is run by computer algorithms and is incapable of making any adjustments that would be in the favor of both the bank and the homeowner. That’s a big problem. In many cases, a fairly renegotiated rate, a three month holiday tacked onto the end of the loan or a lengthening of the term of the loan would have kept people from defaulting.

Goddamn right. Which is why banks that can’t adapt to do what you describe, and consequently fail as a result, should fail. (Not get bailed out by tax payors instead.)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-462148 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-462148 Since I can't seem to create an account (403 error) with the link posted here, I'll comment "anonymously". I am trying to do something about facilitating communication between cleanout crews and charities, to get these goods donated. It's in the concept stage, but can be followed here: http://goods-waiting.ning.com/ All comments/brainstorming/advice/questions is welcome. dmcconnell Florida Since I can’t seem to create an account (403 error) with the link posted here, I’ll comment “anonymously”.

I am trying to do something about facilitating communication between cleanout crews and charities, to get these goods donated. It’s in the concept stage, but can be followed here: http://goods-waiting.ning.com/

All comments/brainstorming/advice/questions is welcome.

dmcconnell
Florida

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421447 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421447 One has to wonder how much of that stuff these families truly owned. I suspect a lot of that stuff was bought on credit and once bankruptcy is declared, it will never be paid for. For the people who can afford the payments but now see it as a bad investment, that really a shame. I hope we're in for a major housing price adjustment back to sane levels. One has to wonder how much of that stuff these families truly owned. I suspect a lot of that stuff was bought on credit and once bankruptcy is declared, it will never be paid for.

For the people who can afford the payments but now see it as a bad investment, that really a shame. I hope we’re in for a major housing price adjustment back to sane levels.

]]> By: Ned613 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-422216 Ned613 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-422216 I learned from this video I should not accumulate to much junk. I also learned that trash-out workers are sensitive guys. I learned from this video I should not accumulate to much junk. I also learned that trash-out workers are sensitive guys.

]]> By: Ugly Canuck http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-422734 Ugly Canuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-422734 This seemed appropriate to this content: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/93430 This seemed appropriate to this content:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/93430

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421969 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421969 Seriously, one post on craigslist would get swarms of people carrying off that stuff in a heartbeat. That's how I get rid of stuff I don't think is worthwhile for charity and that I don't want in the landfill. I found it absurd that companies like Wells Fargo and IndyMac were willing to loan me $800,000 for a duplex with an 85k yearly income. I only applied to see what I *could* qualify for and was gobsmacked. Thankfully I was smart enough to know that I couldn't afford that, and reprimanded the loan officers for thinking that was something they could offer to me with a straight face. Seriously, one post on craigslist would get swarms of people carrying off that stuff in a heartbeat. That’s how I get rid of stuff I don’t think is worthwhile for charity and that I don’t want in the landfill.

I found it absurd that companies like Wells Fargo and IndyMac were willing to loan me $800,000 for a duplex with an 85k yearly income. I only applied to see what I *could* qualify for and was gobsmacked. Thankfully I was smart enough to know that I couldn’t afford that, and reprimanded the loan officers for thinking that was something they could offer to me with a straight face.

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421975 Gilbert Wham Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421975 I need some sand-filled free weights... I need some sand-filled free weights…

]]> By: TroofSeeker http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421720 TroofSeeker Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421720 I hope none of you ever suffer the heartache of being rendered homeless, especially if you have children. If you are forced to "walk away" from a lot of your stuff, please call the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries or AmVets to come collect your stuff. Filling landfills with usable items like those in the photo is just wrong, and those organizations are making stuff like that affordable for others who are down on their luck. I hope none of you ever suffer the heartache of being rendered homeless, especially if you have children.
If you are forced to “walk away” from a lot of your stuff, please call the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries or AmVets to come collect your stuff. Filling landfills with usable items like those in the photo is just wrong, and those organizations are making stuff like that affordable for others who are down on their luck.

]]> By: jancola http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421724 jancola Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421724 I don't know, MDH.... I still get calls from local charities, asking if I have salable items to donate. They always offer to drive by with a truck. I think the charity shops are doing a lot of business right now, and they would have liked a lot of this stuff. It's a shame. I don’t know, MDH…. I still get calls from local charities, asking if I have salable items to donate. They always offer to drive by with a truck.

I think the charity shops are doing a lot of business right now, and they would have liked a lot of this stuff. It’s a shame.

]]> By: JayDee http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421470 JayDee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421470 The bossman said that everything that is left behind is left behind because the former owners freely chose to do it that way. I suppose that helps the guy sleep at night, but he's wrong wrong wrong. I'll bet my left one that they left all that stuff behind because they were out of credit and out of cash, and couldn't swing the couple of hundred bucks it would take to rent a truck and/or storage space. They could only take whatever they could cram into their car. Been there. The bossman said that everything that is left behind is left behind because the former owners freely chose to do it that way. I suppose that helps the guy sleep at night, but he’s wrong wrong wrong. I’ll bet my left one that they left all that stuff behind because they were out of credit and out of cash, and couldn’t swing the couple of hundred bucks it would take to rent a truck and/or storage space. They could only take whatever they could cram into their car. Been there.

]]> By: johnnyaction http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421989 johnnyaction Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421989 vespabelle - I have a large collection of technical books I'm leaving behind if I have to and a $1300 new king bed with modern steel frame. I simply don't have the room in the next place for those. vespabelle – I have a large collection of technical books I’m leaving behind if I have to and a $1300 new king bed with modern steel frame. I simply don’t have the room in the next place for those.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421479 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421479 I had to turf an entire childhood's worth of computer equipment when I moved into my van to go find work in another province (during one of the /last/ recessions.) I bitched about this here, but it still stings. A TRS-80 Model I with *all* the bells and whistles, a KIM-1 and some robotics stuff, a Colour Computer hot-rodded for 32K, and an entire library of software I'd collected or written. All my electronics projects. Basically, the garbage bin looked like Make: Magazine had barfed in it. Add to that all the computer and electronics magazines (from the classique era of the 70s and 80s) and you have the shitty icing on the shitty cake. I had to turf an entire childhood’s worth of computer equipment when I moved into my van to go find work in another province (during one of the /last/ recessions.) I bitched about this here, but it still stings.

A TRS-80 Model I with *all* the bells and whistles, a KIM-1 and some robotics stuff, a Colour Computer hot-rodded for 32K, and an entire library of software I’d collected or written. All my electronics projects.

Basically, the garbage bin looked like Make: Magazine had barfed in it.

Add to that all the computer and electronics magazines (from the classique era of the 70s and 80s) and you have the shitty icing on the shitty cake.

]]> By: manicbassman http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421735 manicbassman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421735 you guys do realise that if that "junk" was to be repurposed and made available again, it would further depress the market for brand new items that we're supposed to be buying to keep the economy going... you guys do realise that if that “junk” was to be repurposed and made available again, it would further depress the market for brand new items that we’re supposed to be buying to keep the economy going…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-423019 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-423019 In the UK you can't walk away and be free, as the Bank will pursue you for the outstanding balance of the loan, even after they repossess and sell your house. In the UK you can’t walk away and be free, as the Bank will pursue you for the outstanding balance of the loan, even after they repossess and sell your house.

]]> By: pjk http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421484 pjk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421484 @ JAYDEE: Anyone who can't afford a couple hundred bucks for self-storage had absolutely no business borrowing money to move into a house that size. After growing up in a middle-class family, where we worked hard and lived within our means, I have zero sympathy for people who bought McMansions they couldn't afford. The housing crisis is a disaster, and there are many sad stories, but along with them there were some real idiots out there that I don't feel sorry for. @ JAYDEE: Anyone who can’t afford a couple hundred bucks for self-storage had absolutely no business borrowing money to move into a house that size. After growing up in a middle-class family, where we worked hard and lived within our means, I have zero sympathy for people who bought McMansions they couldn’t afford. The housing crisis is a disaster, and there are many sad stories, but along with them there were some real idiots out there that I don’t feel sorry for.

]]> By: victor trac http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421486 victor trac Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421486 Haven't these people heard of craigslist? Both the foreclosed and the trash guy could take advantage of it. You could have swarms of people either paying you for crap or hauling it away, saving money and space at the landfill. Haven’t these people heard of craigslist? Both the foreclosed and the trash guy could take advantage of it. You could have swarms of people either paying you for crap or hauling it away, saving money and space at the landfill.

]]> By: bcsizemo http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421488 bcsizemo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421488 @PJK Bingo. I work hard, save hard, and hope I never have to face anything like that. But I could assure you ALL of my stuff will end up somewhere else other than a landfill. I own very very little "junk". @PJK

Bingo.

I work hard, save hard, and hope I never have to face anything like that. But I could assure you ALL of my stuff will end up somewhere else other than a landfill. I own very very little “junk”.

]]> By: Quacko http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-423031 Quacko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-423031 The variety of responses above are interesting,but quite a few are naive. Beyond the banks, beyond what the goods are- you are talking about people in crisis. A number of them through self-imposed ignorance, others through situational issues. The bottom line is that there is a huge crisis in health, credit and housing in this country that needs to be addressed yesterday. No insurance and a trip to the emergency room can create a medical foreclosure very quickly. Stuck in a job because one of your kids has a medical condition and you need the insurance- lose the job- lose the insurance- lose your home. (There is very little real work out there right now) I am 55- uber-responsible- went through a brutal divorce 5 years ago- got left with a pile of credit card debt from my ex.(Barely got to keep my home which took me 15 years to save a down payment for) Was the excellent money manager in my house- but due to the divorce, ended up paying debts incurred. Missed a payment on one- sheer slip- had a great credit rating. Find out what Universal Default is- interest goes up from 28 to 48% on your cards that you are desperately attempting to pay off. A 7000 dollar debt ends up being a 22, 000 dollar debt in 5 years. This goes back to deregulation in the 70's- done by both Democrats and Republicans There is ignorance out there- yes- and there are people who were not educated enough in finances to buy a home- BUT, there is not consumer protection out there- no regulation on most credit, and certainly there is no safety net. If you have ever been through an unfair eviction- especially with kids- the last damn thing on your mind is what to do with some of your goods. On the same note, when I was young, I cleaned apts out for a real estate agency- most of the stuff left behind was of little worth and the apts were a filthy mess. Most charities where I live do not come around to pick up anymore and it is a tremendous amount of work to get stuff gone if you have no time and are dealing with a crisis. The variety of responses above are interesting,but quite a few are naive. Beyond the banks, beyond what the goods are- you are talking about people in crisis. A number of them through self-imposed ignorance, others through situational issues. The bottom line is that there is a huge crisis in health, credit and housing in this country that needs to be addressed yesterday.
No insurance and a trip to the emergency room can create a medical foreclosure very quickly. Stuck in a job because one of your kids has a medical condition and you need the insurance- lose the job- lose the insurance- lose your home. (There is very little real work out there right now)
I am 55- uber-responsible- went through a brutal divorce 5 years ago- got left with a pile of credit card debt from my ex.(Barely got to keep my home which took me 15 years to save a down payment for) Was the excellent money manager in my house- but due to the divorce, ended up paying debts incurred. Missed a payment on one- sheer slip- had a great credit rating. Find out what Universal Default is- interest goes up from 28 to 48% on your cards that you are desperately attempting to pay off. A 7000 dollar debt ends up being a 22, 000 dollar debt in 5 years. This goes back to deregulation in the 70′s- done by both Democrats and Republicans
There is ignorance out there- yes- and there are people who were not educated enough in finances to buy a home- BUT, there is not consumer protection out there- no regulation on most credit, and certainly there is no safety net.
If you have ever been through an unfair eviction- especially with kids- the last damn thing on your mind is what to do with some of your goods.
On the same note, when I was young, I cleaned apts out for a real estate agency- most of the stuff left behind was of little worth and the apts were a filthy mess.
Most charities where I live do not come around to pick up anymore and it is a tremendous amount of work to get stuff gone if you have no time and are dealing with a crisis.

]]> By: FPF422 http://boingboing.net/2009/02/25/what-happens-to-junk.html#comment-421498 FPF422 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-421498 It's ridiculous to trash all that.... why don't they open a second hand store? People with little means could at least enjoy some of this stuff and the "trashers" could make money out of it... It’s ridiculous to trash all that…. why don’t they open a second hand store?
People with little means could at least enjoy some of this stuff and the “trashers” could make money out of it…

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