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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to NOT want people knocking on my door asking for money at 8.15pm?

53 replies

MarkStretch · 19/05/2011 20:24

I am in my own bloody house, my two year old DS is asleep in bed and someone collecting for a charity knocks on my door asking me to sign up to a direct debit to give money on a monthly basis.

I had another one knock on my door this evening whilst we were eating dinner asking me to do the same thing but for a different charity.

GO AWAY!

P.S. I do give money to charity, in fact I am doing the starlight walk in June to raise money for MacMillan, it just annoys me that they hassle me in my own house while I am wearing pyjamas.

OP posts:
shakey1500 · 19/05/2011 20:29

YANBU.

vivi12 · 19/05/2011 20:30

Maybe you need one of those "no hawkers" signs. YANBU by the way.

pointythings · 19/05/2011 20:30

YANBU, I hate it, hate it, hate it. They always turn up either when I'm in the middle of dinner, or when I'm putting the DCs to bed, or when I've finally started vegging out and unwinding.

Original poster
MarkStretch · 19/05/2011 20:31

Thanks.

I also hate the way they look genuinely upset and surprised when you don't want to stand on the doorstep in your pyjamas and give them your bank details.

OP posts:
HalfTermHero · 19/05/2011 20:31

I don't even bother answering the door to them. If they see me through the window I make an irritated hand gesture (a kind of violent 'shoo' motion) then turn my back. They can fuck off if they think they are wasting a second of my time.

SpeedyGonzalez · 19/05/2011 20:31

I think you are being a bit unreasonable. They're not scamsters; they're raising money for charity. I know it's a little bit of a hassle answering the door in your pyjamas, but come on - at least you're not in the position of relying on a charity to keep your head above water. There are far worse things in life than answering the door in your pjs. If you're not interested, all you have to do is politely tell them to go away. Job done.

McPie · 19/05/2011 20:37

YANBU I had a guy get shirty with me when I refused to give him cash for some charity when he knocked on my door, I was alone with my young ds and he was not at all the presentable charity collectors I had come across before. We now have a 'no cold callers' sign up but that didn't stop the talk talk guy from knocking earlier and insisting he was not a cold caller as they has sent mail to my DH with an offer Hmm shame he knocked on everybodys door then!!!

Finallyspring · 19/05/2011 20:37

YADNU. I HATE it too. I might just tolerate it if they gave me info to read and a number to call if I'm interested in donating AFTER I have read and thought about it and when I'm sitting down by myself. But no of course I don't want to give my bank details to a stranger 2 minutes after having listened to his scripted talk on my doorstep. WHY WOULD I ?

HalfTermHero · 19/05/2011 20:40

Unsolicited callers are not welcome at my house either on the telephone or on the doorstep. I do not feel any guilt at all in ignoring them.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/05/2011 20:43

I normally hate it but I did chase the Red Cross down the road after DH had turned them away. I had been meaning to donate to them for ages so it suited me. I am the person who signs at the door and makes it worthwhile to hassle the rest of you. Sorry Blush

peeriebear · 19/05/2011 20:45

I had one at half bloody 8 before! I actually said "It's half past bloody 8, I'm trying to put my kids to bed, what do you think you're doing!" He admitted that they purposely come round that late to try and get people at home Angry needless to say he left.

shellybobs · 19/05/2011 20:49

I actually stopped giving to a well known charity as they insisted on sending me harrowing stories about abused and neglected children and then politely asking me to increase my monthly donation. Ironically the only way I could stop the letters was to be removed from theeir database entirely so I couldn't donate at all!

Isindebetterplace · 19/05/2011 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chelstonmum · 19/05/2011 21:08

YANBU

I give to charity on a monthly basis. My money goes direct to the charity, not to pay the wages of the chugger I am so often asked to give my details to in the street. They can be very over zelous, pouncing when you leave a shop etc and it really upsets me as they give charities a bad name!

Original poster
MarkStretch · 19/05/2011 21:25

Yes, I hate the chuggers in the street too. Especially the ones that stand right in front of you like a starfish, put their head to one side and say 'Hi, how are you today?'

I ram the buggy into their legs.

OP posts:
amothersplaceisinthewrong · 19/05/2011 21:30

I have just signed up to the Red Cross just to get rid of the bleeding heart on the doorstep. While I don't mind giving a small amount each month, I object to all the follow up calls wnating more and more money/for you to sell raflle tickets etc etc. However, if this happens this time, I will immediately stop the direct debit.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 19/05/2011 21:31

Actually, I would rather pay more tax than give to the beggars in the street. I hate going shopping in our high street as there are just so many of them thursting tins/buckets/leaflets in your face.

ShimmeryPixie · 19/05/2011 21:35

if I want to give to charity I go on their websites and sign up to direct debits that way. Or send a cheque. I hate being accosted by chuggers. If I want to donate to shelter/the red cross/ they I will do so off my own bat.

onadifferentplanettoday · 19/05/2011 21:37

I got a No Cold Callers sticker thing from our local council and havn't had any problems since, there have been several cold callers in the road since I put it up but none have knocked.

ivykaty44 · 19/05/2011 21:41

I do wonder why they think a knock on the door and someone will answer and say yes of course just let me give you my bank details - I don't know you from Henry but why not live dangerously and hand over my name, address and bank account details and then see if you rob me!

ivykaty44 · 19/05/2011 21:43

Hi, how are you today?'
Having the day from hell, having already dunked two charity workes in the canal would you like to be the third - they seem to do an eel impression pretty quick smart Wink

wasabipeanut · 19/05/2011 21:48

Our doorbell doesn't work, that's a fairly effective way of dealing with them.

OP YANBU. I can handle chuggers when out and about but when you're in your home it's different.

jeckadeck · 19/05/2011 21:55

YANBU. Tell them to get to f*. Might be worth putting a "no hawkers, no chuggers" sign up. Sanctimonious, but it does the job. The thing I can't stand is the phonecalls. From people trying to sell me a cruise at 9 o'clock at night. What kind of frigging idiot would you have to be to sign up to a deal in those circumstances.

troisgarcons · 19/05/2011 22:04

It's not difficult to have an array of laminated signs ......

No Tarmackers/BlockPavers
No Charity knockers
No Utility switchers
No Canvassers
No Religious conversions
No Loft conversions

And my favourite:

Don't knock before Noon for Child No1, it's the summer holidays

cerealqueen · 19/05/2011 22:06

YANBU - had two today - I hate being rude so just said to one 'I really don't have time' He asked to come back, I repeated myself. He didn't take the hint and came back after DD was in bed. I told DP not to answer the door. I think that is the answer - not to answer the door but grrrr when they ring the bell and seem determined to make their presence known.
Also agree that part of the money you pay goes to pay the chuggers so there are better ways.