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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have turned this doorstep seller away?

35 replies

TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty · 16/12/2011 16:35

I just answered the door to a young man who presented an ID card and briefly explained that he was on a prison release programme, trying to stay on the straight and narrow (his words) and could he just have a couple of minutes of my time. I said yes initially, but when he went to show me the contents of his bag I realised it was a doorstep selling situation, and said to be honest I probably wouldn't be interested. He looked really disappointed but thanked me and went on his way.

Now I feel really dreadful. I went back out straight away to see if I could see him, but he's vanished. Ultimately I don't want to be sold stuff on my doorstep, but neither do I want to shut the door on some kid who's trying to sort himself out.

I know I was BU to dismiss him like that. AIBU to think that if it was for real (I didn't look at the ID) this sort of situation is setting young offenders up for failure?

Xmas Sad
OP posts:
TheScaryJessie · 16/12/2011 16:37

That's a daft scheme.

TheScaryJessie · 16/12/2011 16:37

I can't believe it's real.

Original poster
TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty · 16/12/2011 16:39

So maybe I'm a sucker for a line?

OP posts:
Haziedoll · 16/12/2011 16:40

It is for real but I agree that it is a daft scheme. Unfortunately all the items they sell are overpriced and not what would you want anyway. It would be a better idea if they gave them a stall selling decent stuff on a Market.

Haziedoll · 16/12/2011 16:41

They visit around here every couple of weeks. It definitely isn't a scam.

serotoninbutterfly · 16/12/2011 16:42

It's against the law to do doorstop sales without a pedlars licence and most of these schemes are unlicensed. It's not necessarily a scam that he was an ex-con but there have been all sorts of stories about 'casing' houses and threatening the vulnerable. Our local police force have been cracking down on these so-called 'Nottingham Knockers'.

Original poster
TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty · 16/12/2011 16:43

So who runs the scheme? I too think.it's stupid. Now had he been offering a service like outdoor work or something, I'd have considered paying for that.

OP posts:
SHoHoHodan · 16/12/2011 16:43

They've visited here too, quite a few times. Definitely not a scam.

I bought (out of guilt) the first couple of times but really, their stuff is so expensive.

5Foot5 · 16/12/2011 16:45

Yes we get them quite often and I think it is genuine.

Agree it is overpriced but I occasionally buy a pack of dusters or some tea towels or something, especially if it is a cold night and I feel sorry for them!

mynewpassion · 16/12/2011 16:47

Don't feel bad. I politely turn them away sellers all the time from school fundraisers to roofers. I view it as I don't want to waste their time selling me something I am not going to buy. That 5 minute spiel could be used on someone else. Time is money.

Haziedoll · 16/12/2011 16:48

I think they do have a pedlars licence. The first time I received a call I bought a wonder duster for £7. I don't have that sort of money to waste and I haven't used the duster. Now I always tell them I can't afford their goods and they don't have anything I want anyway.

I wish someone would think up a better scheme because it must be demotivating to be turned away from nearly every door you knock on.

Original poster
TartyMcFalalalalalalalalarty · 16/12/2011 16:52

Yes, maybe demotivating enough to think 'sod it, it's not worth trying'.

OP posts:
LovesBloominChristmas · 16/12/2011 16:52

I had one here a few weeks ago, the joys of mat leave.

bumblebeader · 16/12/2011 19:57

The Cheshire Police have investigated this and it IS a scam. They say not to buy from them.

NewGirlInTown · 16/12/2011 20:02

I would not even answer my door to an unknown caller. Women are so vulnerable to a criminal just barging in once the door is opened.

pigletmania · 16/12/2011 20:03

I have a policy of not buying from sellers at the doorstep and have a police sticker, when sellers knock at the door I point to the sticker and say sorry I don't do business at my doorstep and shut the door.

pigletmania · 16/12/2011 20:03

I never have that much money in the house anyway, there is a cash machine a few mins down the road and if I need money I go to it.

Lexie1970 · 16/12/2011 20:09

When we lived in London we used to have somebody / organisation come round every couple of months or so.

I would always just buy the teatowels, scrubbers etc and it cost abou £5 - I knew you could get them from supermarket for a fraction of the price but I would rather support this youngster than buy a copy of the big issue.

I always used to think at least they were trying to do something to improve their situation and never used to give it a second thought and they were always so polite :)

I think if you have a suspicious nature then you will feel uncomfortable with this sort of thing but if do not (like myself) then you will not feel as if you have been put on the spot.....

scaryhairydroopytits · 16/12/2011 20:43

I am a probation officer and I can absolutely guarantee that there are no prison release doorstep selling schemes. Neither the prison nor probation service would assess such a scheme as suitable. It's a scam. But it seems to be a national scam, we've had them here with the same story too. Hmmm...

Tryharder · 16/12/2011 20:48

That's interesting - and sad - Scary to know that it's definitely a scam. They come round my way quite often and I've bought off them once or twice.

ColonelBrandon · 16/12/2011 20:50

If it is a genuine scheme to get offenders into useful employment it's a crap one. Selling overpriced tat door-to-door and getting repeated knock backs and having to 'sell' your hard-luck story is not the way to get your self-respect back or get a foot into the job market.

And if it's a con, on a national scale, why no major warning about it so people are aware? Or has there been one and I've missed hearing about it?

scaryhairydroopytits · 16/12/2011 20:57

I don't know why the fact this is a con isn't more publicised. A quick google has turned up several warnings from various police forces but nothing national. It's quite clever really, works on two levels, appeals to those who are minded to help rehabilitate and also provides a subtle threat in that the seller is saying they have previously committed imprisonable offences. Perhaps it's quite effective - I'm surprised how many people on here have purchased tat from these sellers. They always hoof it pdq here, when I query the scheme and mention I'm a probation officer!!

WorraLiberty · 16/12/2011 21:01

I was just going to say that scary

Google is full of statements like "As far as we are aware, there is no such prisoner selling scheme"

But still nothing definite.

KateMiddlet0n · 16/12/2011 21:04

It is a genuine scheme round here. Although I am almost tempted to contact the probation service because while legal it is still daylight robbery.

So far, in my house, we've copped for a £12 ironing board and £8 for four tea towels with a value of about 50p

ColonelBrandon · 16/12/2011 21:04

They all sell the same things, have similar 'paperwork' - am imagining some Fagin character operating at the centre of it!

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