To let the charity callers whittle on for five minutes before saying no? (lighthearted)

[GreatBallsofFluff]

I get quite a few charity callers around at this time of year; you know the ones "this charity is amazing and could you give us a couple of quid a week" type people.

Now I have full respect for thoseout at this time ofthe evening in this weather but I never know whether to cut them off immediately.and say "im sorry i really can't" (which seems rude to me) or waste their time by letting them tell me about the charity for 5 minutes (whilst letting all the heat out of my house ) before saying no?

Which is the better etiquette?

By the way I realise I sound callous towards all the worthy charities out there, but I really cannot afford however little they're asking. My outgoings are currently more than what is coming in so I'm trying to save in every area to get it back to at least level standing.

I don't even answer the door!

When I answer the door I tell them I don't have any money to donate, repeat this until they get the message.

Quick response is best. They're trying to earn a living and time is money

I don't get them, thankfully. I tend to bleat on about how broke I am as a lone parent, and a student yada yada yada then wander off. It feels cathartic for me to do that

Did you know these charity callers are on commission?

I would either say no straifhtaway, or if very busy just not answer. No point letting the cold air in wasting their time and mine.

Fair enough then - shall save some time in the future then and say no straightaway .

I did not know that Fosterdream, however it makes sense, by which I mean I wouldn't expect them to put all their effort into it if it didn't make a difference to them either way if people donated or not IYSWIM.

Pardon?

Stupid tablet! Sorry that was meant to be a link to the poster on my door! If you search Google images for "no cold callers" and cover it in tape it'll last about six months.

I've had one person knock on my door after having it up and pointed at it then for the first time slammed the door in his face

Sorry about my failed link

Well I think foster's link is likely to be effective actually .

You'd need a big piece of paper to print that out onto

I reckon Curiosity is right! That note would frighten even the staunchest JW away!!

fosterdream

As I was scrolling down I was thinking the same as Curiosity

Best link ever

As soon as I open the door and see the tabbard and clipboard I just say sorry I'm in the middle of cooking dinner, thanks. Bye. Then close the door. They do always come between 5.30 and 6.30.

Yes you are. If the answer's no, then say no straight off.
Taking the piss for a cheap laugh benefits nobody.

foster, that's brilliant!

You can get this one from Moneysavingexpert but it doesn't seem to cover charities.

You do know these people dont even work for the charities? It's the same when 'charities' call you. I used to work in a call centre that UNICEF and the NSPCC used and we got paid £7 an hour plus commission. It's ridiculous the amount of money that charities spend on fundraising.

I had one come round at 7.30 pm, just as I was putting dc's to bed! I said politely I'm just in the middle of getting dc's to bed and reading stories etc. he said oh don't worry about them they can wait not very charitable IMO. I said no and closed the door. I'm not normally forceful and but he really pissed me off.

Flogging - where did I say I was getting a laugh from being stood on my door letting all the heat go out of my house so I can listen to someone talk about a charity?

Dinosaur - that would have pissed me off too!

wow, Foster, I suspect that puts them right off.

I have a note on my door, yet they still knock. It's amazing how many believe it doesn't apply to them. At one stage I added another note that said - This is includes: energy suppliers, sky TV or similar, politics, religion, charity.
Last week a charity guy knocked. I said please read the sign; I don't deal with anyone at my door. "Oh I'm not selling" he said. "Do you want money from me?" I said. "Welll er yes but..." "Well then. You ARE selling. bye bye now"

In answer to Op- it's best to say No thank you immediately and let them go on their way. You don't need to give an excuse either, you really don't.