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Original poster

To report NSPCC child line?

109 replies

familyportrait · 30/01/2025 18:11

Every Thursday after I take DD to her swimming lesson, and after her lesson I take her to WHSmiths for a magazine as a treat then walk home. Every single week I am HOUNDED by the NSPCC to set up a direct debit.
Now I am not charity shy and I donate to certain causes each month but I don't expect to be hounded. Today (6th week in a row) they cornered me and actually stood in front of the shop door making it hard to leave. They practically cornered me and my pre school aged child. I said to them that I do not want to commit to setting up a direct debit. They then probed and said 'why?' I said because it's not something I'm looking for. These two men then said 'well why not, you're helping children!' I said again, I don't want to set up a direct debit. I may think about an online one time donation. But that wasn't enough. He then said 'well you can afford it, you come in here every week and buy your daughter a magazine so you can set up a direct debit!' I then snapped and said 'no, my finances are fucked, I can't afford it, now please get out of my way!' (My finances are not fucked, I was just trying to think of something to get them to piss off!)

He then winced and put his hands up to his ears and said 'don't swear in front of your child.' And tried to guilt trip me! They didn't intimidate me but I can absolutely see how they would an elderly person or a vulnerable person. WIBU to complain about them? They've really annoyed me!

OP posts:
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Original poster
familyportrait · 02/02/2025 12:10

Namechangeforthis88 · 01/02/2025 20:02

What gets me is they see op every week, they know fine well that she is not going to sign up. They're harassing her for no purpose other than the sake of it. For the power play. It's downright nasty.

Two men see a woman and child coming to buy a comic and just decide to make her life difficult and uncomfortable, she can't lose her shit at them because she has a child with her. What bastards. If I lived nearby I'd come and give them a piece of my mind.

That's completely it, isn't it! Total power imbalance. Hassling me every week to the point I can't even get a magazine with my daughter without them pestering me and the second I do bite back he cowers and gets sad that I swore in front of my child.

I've written a strongly worded email to WHSmiths, awaiting a reply! If I don't get one, I'll go into the shop and try and speak to the store manager.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthis88 · 01/02/2025 20:02

What gets me is they see op every week, they know fine well that she is not going to sign up. They're harassing her for no purpose other than the sake of it. For the power play. It's downright nasty.

Two men see a woman and child coming to buy a comic and just decide to make her life difficult and uncomfortable, she can't lose her shit at them because she has a child with her. What bastards. If I lived nearby I'd come and give them a piece of my mind.

Original poster
familyportrait · 01/02/2025 08:32

Persimmons123 · 01/02/2025 07:27

Agreed. It’s always women who think they have to explain themselves.
do you want to donate? No thank you
why not? No thank you
whaf about the children? No thank you
but? Move

Well of course it's always women. Because it's always men pestering us in multiple different ways.

OP posts:
Heronwatcher · 01/02/2025 08:01

I’d report.

Next time, icy cool, “I have already chosen my charitable giving for this month and I favour charities who do not employ pressure sales tactics”. Or “This conversation is becoming uncomfortable” then “Please move out of my way now or I will call store security/ the manager/ the police.”

IvysMum12 · 01/02/2025 07:54

NewYearStillFat · 31/01/2025 06:25

I find the best way to get rid of them is to say you already support their charity.

I do this. Works every time.

2doglady · 01/02/2025 07:41

I complained once to St John’s about one of their people who knocked on my door asking for us to sign up to a direct debit.

I already donate monthly to a number of charities and do one off donations to others. When I explain this most are understanding and accept with good grace what I have said. We usually end up having a nice conversation, so I have no particular issue with them.

This person on hearing me say no looked at the two cars on the driveway ( both Audis but not brand new) then looked at me and said in a patronising manner something about us having two cars. I replied that was nothing to do with him, shut the door and fired off an email to the Charity complaining.

To be fair they did get back to me saying it was unacceptable, they would take it up with the company employing the person and make sure training was refreshed that collectors shouldn’t be commenting like that.

Persimmons123 · 01/02/2025 07:27

Agreed. It’s always women who think they have to explain themselves.
do you want to donate? No thank you
why not? No thank you
whaf about the children? No thank you
but? Move

NoCarbsForMe · 01/02/2025 03:54

I'd complain to the Charity commission and NSPCC - the man very likely works for another company OP. That's terrible behaviour and you should report him.
I'd just say "no" and walk away in future. Just don't engage.

Original poster
familyportrait · 31/01/2025 17:06

WallaceinAnderland · 31/01/2025 15:11

They were practically blocking the doorway for me to make an exit.

Practically but not actually. Just move past and ignore them. Do not engage in any way. It's not that hard.

Well that's that then!

OP posts:
Hekett · 31/01/2025 16:40

I had an NSPCC one literally follow me down the street once continually badgering me, he was fucking relentless and just would not stop. His final comment to me was “so you believe in child abuse then?” And I said back “it depends on the child” to make him back off (which worked, although maybe not my finest moment)

murasaki · 31/01/2025 15:41

On a lighter note, the ones who turned up at my door trying to get my direct debit details for a dog charity were told that my two cats wouldn't approve.

CandidRaven · 31/01/2025 15:33

I hate this behaviour from these people too, definitely report it, a simple no should be enough and they shouldn't be guilt tripping people

WallaceinAnderland · 31/01/2025 15:11

They were practically blocking the doorway for me to make an exit.

Practically but not actually. Just move past and ignore them. Do not engage in any way. It's not that hard.

Hedgerow2 · 31/01/2025 12:59

They were practically blocking the doorway for me to make an exit.

Then just push past/say 'excuse me' loudly. If - in the unlikely event - they continue to physically block your way, find a member of staff and tell them they won't let you leave the shop.

murasaki · 31/01/2025 12:58

familyportrait · 31/01/2025 12:53

What an incredible 'gotcha' moment and what a title to have under your belt!!

Thank you (from someone dx with an incurable cancer) for all the work you do.

I'd have loved to been a fly on the wall during the altercation!

Show quote history

I was grinning like a Cheshire cat as I stomped past them.

So sorry re your diagnosis, you really don't need this hassle at this time. In fact, if you feel comfortable with it I'd include it or a vague comment in a complaint in that they have no idea what is going on with people's lives and shouldn't harass them anyway. Take care.

Original poster
familyportrait · 31/01/2025 12:53

Hedgerow2 · 31/01/2025 11:33

Your mistake is engaging in conversation with them. Just push past if they won't get out of your way. Or say, 'I already donate' and walk on.

They were practically blocking the doorway for me to make an exit.

OP posts:
Original poster
familyportrait · 31/01/2025 12:53

murasaki · 31/01/2025 11:45

I had some bar my way on my way back from my lunch break. They were asking if I didn't care about cancer research. I greatly enjoyed the look on their faces when I said that the faster i could get back to my desk, the more actual work to support cancer research i would be doing.

I worked in a science department supporting several people working on cancer research and cancer adjacent research, so it was no word of a lie.

What an incredible 'gotcha' moment and what a title to have under your belt!!

Thank you (from someone dx with an incurable cancer) for all the work you do.

I'd have loved to been a fly on the wall during the altercation!

OP posts:
HarryVanderspeigle · 31/01/2025 12:31

I tell them that I am a horrible person and don't care about starving children, abused puppies etc. When I lived abroad I just td them I didn't have a bank accountin that country, but it really only works if you have a foreign accent.

murasaki · 31/01/2025 11:45

I had some bar my way on my way back from my lunch break. They were asking if I didn't care about cancer research. I greatly enjoyed the look on their faces when I said that the faster i could get back to my desk, the more actual work to support cancer research i would be doing.

I worked in a science department supporting several people working on cancer research and cancer adjacent research, so it was no word of a lie.

Daniki · 31/01/2025 11:44

Definitely report them. As they are working on commission that's what they are so pushy. They couldn't give two fucks where your money is going, they just want their commission! Horrible job( I did it for 2 days when I was 18, just walked away one day absolutely not worth the hassle 😂)

Member984815 · 31/01/2025 11:34

WaneyEdge · 30/01/2025 18:14

I would report. They should take no for an answer. I’d possibly contact the manager of WH Smith too.

Yes report to the shop. I'm sure they don't want their customers harassed every time they are leaving the shop .

Hedgerow2 · 31/01/2025 11:33

Your mistake is engaging in conversation with them. Just push past if they won't get out of your way. Or say, 'I already donate' and walk on.

RaveToTheGrave1 · 31/01/2025 11:30

We get a lot of them around knocking doors where i live, they come here as its mostly older folks and they know they won't send them away, they very loudly get told to piss off now, they've been literally hounding elderly neighbours before

WhatNoRaisins · 31/01/2025 11:15

Jc2001 · 31/01/2025 11:04

It's a real pet hate of mine when stores allow the chuggers set up camp by the exit. I would complain to the atore.

I'm surprised they aren't worried about customers seeing the chuggers and giving their shop a miss. Do they get a cut of the money or something?

Mama2many73 · 31/01/2025 11:13

Door step ones.

DH was out, I was seeing to the 2 kids getting them to bed just before 9pm when there was a knock at the door..
I went to answer and it was a young woman and I preempted and said really sorry but I'm in the process of getting the kids to bed, I'm not interested.
Her response was oh how lucky your kids are a warm loving home....at Barnardos we want every child to have that.....it's only £... a moth it's not really much to ask.
My reply was I'm a foster carer, we open our home, and hearts, to these kids, we're here 24/7 for them. I think we're doing more than enough and we dont need to be paying a monthly sum aswell and I really dont appreciate being caught on my doorstep at 9pm.
She left.