Rules governing doorstep charity collectors

Pollycat

polgara wrote: »

We just say that we don't do business of any kind on the doorstep - they can leave a leaflet and we will research it in our own time

I do this.

I also say the same to anyone wearing those constantly-changing tabards in the street.

If I want to donate to a charity (and I do donate via D/D to a number), it will be to one of my choice, not the one they may be pushing.

sulphate

I was a chugger once with a RSPCA slogan (I wasn't actually working FOR the RSPCA, they contract it out to private companies)... for two weeks, walked out in the end because I was absolutely rubbish at it! I think I got one person to sign up. Chuggers only get paid if people sign up and they get paid a fixed rate per person.

The worst thing about it is that my "boss" tried to get everyone to believe that if they did well enough they would "move up the ladder", basically it was a pyramid scheme. I figured it out after one of the "supervisors" mysteriously left. I remember texting my "supervisor" saying I wasn't coming back because I'd figured out it was a pyramid scheme, she texted back saying that I just wasn't "motivated" enough or some rubbish, six months later I looked her up on FB and she'd walked out too. :rotfl:

Gillyx

Interesting, we had one recently who not only rung the bell but also battered so hard on the glass of the door with his fist I thought he would put his hand right through at 8.30pm at night, who then proceeded to strike up a conversation about my child's toys he could see through the front window. I mentioned he'd probably woke said child up and it was all oh ha ha joke joke, he'l go back to sleep. He then what I can only describe as emotional blackmail, tried to get me to sign up to some children's charity using the fact I had a child as leverage. He then became rather unfriendly when I said I didn't want to donate.

Like most people on this thread I choose which charities I donate to, and I won't be blackmailed into giving money to others.

Imnoexpert_2

We get regular visits from people who seem to have traveled area 40 or 50 miles from the Derby/Nottingham area. They aren't collecting for charity but are selling poundshop type cleaning stuff. The strap line is a sob story "I'm doing this to get the money to go to college" or "I'm unemployed and trying to better myself" or the best one I've had "I've just come out of prison - don't worry nothing violent" (just housebreaking I thought - not reassured).

These people have a home made looking identity card which says nothing informative which they flash at you. The implication is that they are a 'charity'

Anyone know about them and who they are?

I never buy from the door but others must.

sedment

I just dont answer the door. If people are coming to my door asking me for money, donations for charity bags or signing up for direct debits, they can knock all they like but I firmly believe that your home is your castle and its your right to please yourself as to whom you answer the door to. Im at home with two little ones and dont feel all that safe answering the door at half eight/nine just for someone to try and guilt trip me into giving away my money. I give to which charities I see fit.

tea_lover

Me too sedment, I never answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. If it's someone I know they can always ring or shout.

pukkamum

I had a couple of young female chuggers round the other week.
It seemed one was mentoring the other, she started with a line about how cosy it looked inside with us all sat at the table, yes thats because we are having dinner I replied.
I'll come back later she said, I told her not to bother as I don't give or sign up to anything at the door.
Lo and behold an hour later sbe turned up again.
we all just waved at her through the window.
It especially irks me that our estate is targeted constantly, we are a council estate and most of us live here as we don't have much money and many are pensioners.

cats_ahoy

Imnoexpert wrote: »

We get regular visits from people who seem to have traveled area 40 or 50 miles from the Derby/Nottingham area. They aren't collecting for charity but are selling poundshop type cleaning stuff. The strap line is a sob story "I'm doing this to get the money to go to college" or "I'm unemployed and trying to better myself" or the best one I've had "I've just come out of prison - don't worry nothing violent" (just housebreaking I thought - not reassured).

These people have a home made looking identity card which says nothing informative which they flash at you. The implication is that they are a 'charity'

Anyone know about them and who they are?

I never buy from the door but others must.

I'm from Nottingham and had very similar experiences - one man who 'came out of prison' and had a really dodgy looking ID badge, and a woman who was just selling it as her job. They try and sell you stuff that is about 4 times more than in the shops, I always say I've got no money or I'm unemployed.

The only person I would consider buying from is the Avon lady on our street, and that's because she is nice and some of the Avon stuff does look nice.

Hermia

I had three people from Oxfam knocking on my door recently. I can sort of see that they might travel in pairs for safety, but three seemed a bit excessive!

Indie_Kid

Hermia wrote: »

I had three people from Oxfam knocking on my door recently. I can sort of see that they might travel in pairs for safety, but three seemed a bit excessive!

To a person living alone, this could be quite intimidating.