Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Chugger on my doorstep

95 replies

squashyhat · 27/11/2023 17:02

I live rurally in the middle of a golf course and I've just had knock at my door. Thinking it was probably a delivery for a neighbour I opened it to a Great Ormond Street chugger on my doorstep. Is this a thing now or have I just been lucky to escape them so far? When I asked what he wanted he said "a cup of tea would be nice". I shut the door in his face .

OP posts:

TigerRag · 17/12/2023 19:38

Jessforless · 17/12/2023 09:00

I think it’s really rude to slam the door in their face.

On the other side of the coin, as annoying as it is for them to interrupt your day for all of 15 seconds, they have to do that all day and it sounds a bloody horrendous job no one would do if they had a choice.

Just say no thank you?

But they don't take no for an answer. I've had them wave in my face and try to block my path. Why would I then stop to sign up for a charity donation? Would rather donate directly.

Viviennemary · 17/12/2023 19:41

Absolute nerve. I never give those chuggers a penny. It's a disgraceful way to raise money.

PhulNana · 17/12/2023 21:09

TigerRag · 17/12/2023 19:38

But they don't take no for an answer. I've had them wave in my face and try to block my path. Why would I then stop to sign up for a charity donation? Would rather donate directly.

Show quote history

My brother had one whip his headphones off. He (the chugger) got pushed very hard, and nearly fell over.

MayThe4th · 17/12/2023 22:54

Personally I think that all door knocking should be banned.
That way you would get rid of not only the chuggers, the JW's, the unsolicited sales people, but you would also then get rid of the scammers, the Nottingham knockers, people pretending to represent a cause to extort money from people, because they would know that it's not legal and would be less likely to be taken in.

KievLoverTwo · 17/12/2023 23:00

sashh · 17/12/2023 10:04

I used to go out with someone who's father was a JW.

They are very organised. Every so often they would hire a bus, pack sandwiches and go to a rural area to reach more people.

I'm on their 'no call list' they still come down the street but they don't knock on my door any more.

OP complain to the charity.

My mother once answered the door to a woman who said, "I'm collecting for the National Children's home"

My mother asked her to wait, grabbed me and my brother and thrust as the poor woman.

Show quote history

:'D

KievLoverTwo · 17/12/2023 23:05

I think they are getting increasingly desperate. I play some charity raffles and there are a few of them who say 'we will contact you, if you don't want us to in future, you will have to fill out a form.'

Err? So that's how you feel about data protection? Hard pass then.

Street chuggers can be proper nasty. One once said to my friend 'don't be silly, everyone can afford £3 a month.' He couldn't, and it was really upsetting for him.

Slamming the door was a bit harsh! But I guess it was quite a shock given you live on a golf course.

SinnerBoy · 17/12/2023 23:11

If they won't go away and put a hand on the door, slamming is the only reaction.

blettedmedlar · 17/12/2023 23:29

@MissBuffyAnneSummers If someone unsolicited comes to my door and asks for money I shut the door in their face if a simple no doesn't have them retreating down the garden path. Anyone more persistent than that is told to fuck off. But I'm old and cranky as well as rude.

MiddleAgeAllTheRage · 17/12/2023 23:35

Catinknickers · 17/12/2023 07:04

I had a Save the Children one jam the front door with his foot once. I screamed at him I was calling the police. I called the charity who apologised but still. Fucking entitled prick. Any charity that tries these tactics, I stop supporting and tell them why.

Fucking cheeky bastard!! Who the fuck did he think he was?!

SinnerBoy · 18/12/2023 01:40

They must be encouraged to be pushy, because so many of them do that sort of thing.

Boomboom22 · 18/12/2023 09:49

It shouldn't be legal. Either to your door or in the street. They are aggressive and I don't believe people signed up through them are giving freely, its coercion of vulnerable or shy people. Also what nonsense to say everyone can afford 3 a month! Def not the case. Eg anyone on UC shouldn't be giving 3 a month dd to a charity as they need that for themselves/ their family.

C8H10N4O2 · 18/12/2023 16:39

SinnerBoy · 18/12/2023 01:40

They must be encouraged to be pushy, because so many of them do that sort of thing.

They are paid on commission. Most of them know very little about the charity in question, they are chasing a sale, just like any second hand car dealer.

C8H10N4O2 · 18/12/2023 16:42

likeabullet · 17/12/2023 08:29

GOSH charity arm aren't short of a bob or two. £100 million in the bank according to their 2022 annual report. They have a healthy income stream from the JM Barrie legacy.
i know they do good work but so does the children's hospital 5 miles away from me rather than 300 miles away.
GOSH is not ever going to be my charity of choice.
I did say this to a GOSH chugger who accosted me on my lunch break recently. He had no idea as it's all 3rd party contracted out.

I agree - donate to a local children's charity or hospice instead. GOSH historically have had more money than they can spend due to the Barrie legacy and also the big brand name attracting high profile donors and visitors.

They have also made many appearances in Private Eye regarding some of their rather surprising expenditure choices.

Sartre · 18/12/2023 16:45

I have a ring doorbell now to avoid precisely this. I’ve answered the door so many times in the past expecting a parcel only to be greeted with an annoying chugger or salesperson. The worst ones wear bright red jackets which I swear is intentional so they look like the postie.

PainterInPeril · 18/12/2023 16:56

Jehovah's Witnesses are not chuggers. We aren't asking for money. We are merely trying to help people come to know Jehovah God. It's ok if you're not interested but we appreciate it when you tell us politely. 🤗

MeinKraft · 18/12/2023 17:03

It's fibre broadband round here, every week they're round trying to convince us to change our broadband provider. If I wanted
to change, I would, to whomever I choose and in my own time!

ALongHardWinter · 18/12/2023 17:09

A cup of tea would be nice? Cheeky fucker!

Vanessa555 · 12/07/2024 00:45

Jellybean23 · 13/12/2023 21:40

Chuggers aren't interested in donations, they only want to sign you up for a direct debit. I always interrupt their set speech with 'there's no way I will hand over my bank details to a complete stranger and cold caller'.

they don’t take any bank details they send it to your phone and you put it in your self there’s no way for them to see your account number and sort code

Vanessa555 · 12/07/2024 00:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Vanessa555 · 12/07/2024 01:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Flip

1 2 3 4