[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I guess there's a lot to be learned, living in a place like TV.

Yep, things that are commonly found throughout most of the US happen in the Villages as well.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

I often sit in a chair, at the end of the driveway, facing the house. Friday 13 December I left it there after I sat in it in the morning, as I was going to sit in it again later.
A contractor in a white pickup, pulling a white trailer, mistook the chair for "curb alert", even though it was not trash day nor did it have a "free / take me" sign on it. He even waved at my camera.
I can understand how this misunderstanding took place. I would say in fact that most reasonable people would conclude that it was in fact being offered up. Who sits way at the end of the driveway and looks at their house ? Me, watching the pets.
So if this is your contractor, or you are the contractor, the reappearance of said chair, would be a most pleasant development.

You are right. Most people here would take that as a giveaway, even without a sign. Now the contractor is probably sitting on it while eating lunch. I hope you get it back. Next time you may need to keep the chair on your porch when not out there. Alas.

[Jeanne wilson]

I put my free items by the curb but on the grass, they are gone the same day.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by HIgolfers

Theft. Pure and simple.

Mistaken as being thrown out. Plain and simple.

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

You must live in a different world than most of us.

Bogie Shooter is correct. As are most responding here. End of driveway means it’s out for the taking.

[kayak]

The OP wrote: "So if this is your contractor, or you are the contractor, the reappearance of said chair, would be a most pleasant development." Hence, the reason for this post. So far zero replies.

[Desiderata]

Originally Posted by mraines

Most times, if it is at the end of the driveway, it is there for the taking. But not always. I almost took a plant that someone had at the end of the driveway, but it was not there for the taking. I try to ask first.

Very true! I once came home in time to see a lady struggling to pick up my flower pot that was at the end of my driveway. I asked her what she was doing. She said since it was at the end of my driveway she assumed I was discarding it. Nope!

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I've never lived in a community where folks put "free stuff" at the end of their driveway or where folks drove around picking up "free stuff" that was in people's yards.

I guess there's a lot to be learned, living in a place like TV.

it was like that no matter where we lived. don't leave it out, or you run the risk

[Byte1]

Hmmm, so if the OP had left the chair out there next to trash to be picked up the next day, he is supposed to assume that the chair would still be there after trash pickup, as long as he did not put a sign on it? That seems to be the theme of some on here. Personally, I have picked up furniture items left at the end of driveways, to repurpose them. In 12 years as a resident of the Villages, I never heard a complaint regarding stuff left at the end of the driveway. I once left a washing machine at the end of the driveway to be picked up by the folks delivering and installing a new one, and I glanced out the window within five minutes and it was gone. Saved $35 removal fee. Just realized that I am currently sitting in a desk chair that I picked up that was left at the end of someone's driveway. I've used it for a few years now and it is really great on my back. Thanks.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

And the other side of the legal argument, which "might" be argued, is that the county owns the three feet of land from the curb, or some such zoning ordinance, so is it really on your property or the county property? I am not sure if I am correct, but there is something about not building out to the curb for some ordinance reason. "ask the trolls"

[gbs317]

Originally Posted by RobertScott

Well Artic Fox, perhaps I like to sit and admire the dwelling, and savor my success at having moved to The Villages, as it seemed at one point I wasn't going to pull it off.
In fact however, as stated , it is to make sure pets stay in bounds.
I will take 75 percent of the blame for this misunderstanding. If the chair doesn't come back, it will give me an excuse to go back to Harbor Freight.

I like your thinking on going back to Harbor Freight. Now that’s a positive attitude!

[sharonl7340]

Originally Posted by MsPCGenius

.... be it the upper or lower end, is private property. In the absence of a sign offering something for free or a pre-arrangement between the owner and a receiver, taking an item is theft -- pure and simple.

The notion that items on the driveway are assumed to be up for grabs because that "is a Village understanding" is just nuts.

Nope, not just in the Villages--everywhere. It is true in Huntsville, AL, Alexandria VA, DC, NYC...everywhere I have ever lived.

[Kevco]

Why has no one ever taken the man and the chair while he sits at the end of the driveway? Why not take one, take all?

[opinionist]

There was one time I cleaned out the attic and put a mountain of stuff by the road. Most of it was gone in a day. I finished cleaning the attic and put an enormous mountain by the road. It was gone in two days except for one item.

[BlackHarley]

I think I'll try the chair thingy.....with the wife sitting in it.