Being Harassed whilst shopping

loracan1

I don't often go into town shopping, I went in on Monday afternoon and it reminded me why I avoid it. From parking up, walking a few hundred yards to my bank, looking into a couple of shop windows and walking back into the shopping centre I avoided about a dozen people selling/distributing/surveying folk walking past. I said "I'm busy" to at least 3 of them (with a brief polite smile) put my head down for a couple more and had to fend one off with a sharp "I'm not interested" when he persisted. All this whilst my toddler is shouting "I'm hungry" at top volume. I'd love to be able to take a leisurely stroll down the high street but I'm sick of having to dodge into shops to get a bit of respite.

Street canvassing isn't a new thing, I'm well aware of that, but in the past I've been able to put someone off with no trouble. In the last few years the tactics have become almost aggressive and I'm left feeling really uncomfortable at having to be almost rude to make it clear I'm not interested. Is it just my area that has this problem or am I being over sensitive?

coupon_king_2

My personal favourite reply when they try and stop me in the street is .....




Sorry im married so am not allowed an opinion !!!!

pavlovs_dog

nope, they're EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

affectionatley referred to as chuggers (charity muggers), they've turned our high streets into an obstacle course.....

dodge anything with a dayglo tabbard/clipboard at all costs, but dont miss the free samples distributers (well you need something to keep your energy up dont you?!!! )


fortunately, i remember hearing a while back that they are looking into bringing in laws against their aggressive behaviour. god knows when, but it cant come too soon as far as im concerned

Nasnowt

Head straight for them with the buggy. makes them think twice.

Outtathaway

I agree, I hate them, the worst experiances I've had is where one has approched me and I said I'm not interested and so their 'partner' tries to stop me for the same reason. The other time I was walking down Oxford Street listening to my mp3 player when one of these marketing/charity people decided to take my headphones out whilst I was walking to try and talk to me

juno

We have loads in Nottingham, and it's really annoying. But I've recently moved to York for uni, and I've seen hardly any!

Xbigman

We get loads in Yate. RAC and british gas are favourites and are a real pain. When a passer by noticably walks around them you think they'd take the hint, but they don't.

Yate shopping centre itself has lost it. The little area which had two phone boxes now has a big glass box built there and is now a flower shop whilst the centre area where they occacationally put on performances / had father xmas is a coffer shop. Every square inch will soon be developed to the max. I now detest the place. :mad:
Regards


X

Becles

Some market research surveys are ok. I was taken into a pub next to where they were working and had to sniff and give my opinion on the smells of some fabric softners and I was given a £5 note for my time.

Another recent one asked me some questions on shampoo and how I look after my hair, and I got a free chocolate bar.

If they are not giving anything away though, I avoid them!

A man stopped me yesterday wanting my opinion on some art they had put up in the shopping centre. I think he was trying to sell that, so I just said I was in a hurry.

Justin_Credit

Do these people and organisations have to be licenced to do this? It is a problem where I live too. There are Big Issue sellers on every corner and many other chuggers and survey people in between and usually the RAC and British Gas are somewhere to be found.

I have often wondered if a letter of complaint to the Council about their tactics etc would have any effect.

My strategy is not to make eye contact and, if approached, I totally ignore them.

moggins

My other half loves them He will only stop for the market research people, checks on what they are giving away first and always comes away with a pen, a cup of coffee and vouchers, he pays for his DVD habit in this way

It's all a matter of playing them at their own game, I rarely let them stop me, got nabbed by the Barclaycard people just after christmas, told him I'd never get one with my credit record and lack of employment. I nearly hunted him down to kiss him when I actually got one through the post

nickinoo

I got stopped by 1 the other week but her 1st words to me were "would you like to earn a £5 boots voucher?" as that's where I was heading I said "yes, please", if they all paid up I'd help out every single 1 of them!