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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I shall stop show my kindness to unknown people altogether!

29 replies

whosthis · 08/04/2013 15:13

A guy came to my door showing a card saying he's representing a charity to raise fund helping people out from prison rehabilitate.

I already stopped giving random people in the street or coming to my doorway no matter they say who they represent. Instead, I always believe donation going to the charities directly by online transfer is far more reliable.

But this time, this guy claimed he's from an unusual type of charity which I do think it's crucial (shouldn't those who made mistakes before gey a second chance?) to the humanity and the society.

He showed me various stuff in his basket, coming across a pair of oven gloves with retail price marked there. He says I could get a discount of two pounds.

I didn't I really need anything immediately for my place, especially when we are fairly tight to pay mortgage during M leave and later on the childcare... But I so felt I had to support this guy. In the end, I paid £7.99 for a pack of three microfibre of multiple purpose, which i thought I do need in shor term. And the printed price for the oven gloves made me trust he's honest.

Not difficult to guess from here, right? After he left, I check the price of the same product on Amazon - £2.49 with free shipping!

It's really not about money, it's about being fooled for being kind and trusting someone you knew you shouldn't!

I constantly felt bad whenever I passed the charity stands who claimed they raise fund for good cause. But from now on, I think I want to stick to my old way.

No more kindness or trust to unknown people, no matter who they claim.they are!

Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Feminine · 08/04/2013 15:20

Thats a shame.

I don't think you should give up on kindness Wink

Sorry you were ripped off...and at least it went to a charity you like the sound of...:)

WireCatWhore · 08/04/2013 15:21

Google Nottingham knockers.

You've been had I'm afraid.

squeakytoy · 08/04/2013 15:22

Was he not charging you the price he is told to charge?

WireCatWhore · 08/04/2013 15:23

www.essex.police.uk/news_features/features_archive/2011/march/warning_over_nottingham_knock.aspx

The one who knocked at mine had ID, it looked real, but wasn't.

ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 08/04/2013 15:24

You were conned. These guys are bussed in and do the whole area in gangs.

It's not a charity.

And they often get really nasty if people don't buy their crap.

WorraLiberty · 08/04/2013 15:25

I really thought by now most people knew this is a scam Sad

Owllady · 08/04/2013 15:26

don't answer the door to them, it has been going on since I was a child
it used to be owl pictures (does anyone remember them, the silver/gold ones?)

WireCatWhore · 08/04/2013 15:27

Happened here quite recently.

People still don't know it's a scam.

Sad really.

www.southendstandard.co.uk/news/10117411.House_holders_warned_about_Nottingham_Knockers/

CloudsAndTrees · 08/04/2013 15:33

Don't give up on kindness, the world needs more of it, not less. Just choose who you trust carefully, and never hand over cash at the door unless its November and you are buying a poppy.

Original poster
whosthis · 08/04/2013 15:43

Does this involves burglary? Shall I inform the local police office?

If it's just to cheat you for little money like this, what's the point for them to form a group to do it across country?

Sorry I moved from abroad to the UK not long ago, so I had no clue about such a thing...

Do I have to be cautious to the possibility of any further action by whoever? I feel a bit afraid now, while the baby is crying next to me... Sigh...DH will have a chance to lecture me again...

OP posts:
ImTooHecsyForYourParty · 08/04/2013 15:44

You should contact them on the non emergency number just to let them know these people are doing the rounds.

They can let people know. Round here you can opt in to receive emails about stuff like this.

Owllady · 08/04/2013 15:47

you don't need to be afraiod, i hjave never heard of them coming back and breaking in. They just give you a sob story and then charge you extortionate prices for stuff like shammy leathers

thezebrawearspurple · 08/04/2013 15:56

Never buy anything from door to door 'salesmen' or anyone who tries to give you the hard sell, they'll rip you off. You can be kind without being a mug.

Original poster
whosthis · 08/04/2013 16:14

Told DH, he's extremely unhappy with the stupid thing I've done.

I won't let anyone inside my house. Even he's concerned about the safety he really didn't have to blame me more as I feel bad enough!

My phone network has an outage. Tried to call 101 via Skype but not working.

They really don't break in? I found it odd to trap you just a few pounds by going through so much trouble if they are organised group...

OP posts:
Ullena · 08/04/2013 17:26
Original poster
whosthis · 09/04/2013 00:15

Ullena is that really what you did? Very smart!

We are having our own house for the first time. Lots to learn!

Will register for alerts from neighbourhood safety scheme!

OP posts:
CoolaSchmoola · 09/04/2013 00:23

We're having similar issues where I live, same ruse, same 'charity' - but the reason they are knocking is to ascertain the houses with dogs, particularly pedigree dogs.

They then leave a marker to indicate to their accomplices where the dogs are and they come aback later and steal them!!

They used to put a coloured sticker on the gate post, but people became aware so now they apparently leave chalk marks on the path or kerb outside the house.

In our area the accomplices have a large white van with dog cages in the back. According to the local crime FB page four dogs have been taken in the last few days!!

LovePickles · 09/04/2013 00:39

I listened to one of these guys telling me what he had, listening patiently to his speech about what he does...was just about to say (in an apologetic tone) 'I'm sorry I don't have any money on me' (I really didn't, but if I did may have bought the ironing board cover that wouldn't even have fit my enormous ironing board, don't ask me why...), but before I hit the 'm' in 'I'm', he put his hand up, said 'right' and stormed off up the driveway! I was stunned!

Oh, YOU don't want YOUR time wasted by ME talking??

Should have shouted after him. Damn, hindsight is a fine thing...

Whatdoiknowanyway · 09/04/2013 07:04

I said no to one once, nicely, and got the response 'why don't you just say you don't want to help me you lying bitch? '
I was stunned.
At the time I was very sleep deprived with a 2 week old baby. I certainly didn't want to buy a plastic ice cream scoop for £2.50 when they were 50p in Woolworths(more than 20 years ago now but it's still going on).

ZillionChocolate · 09/04/2013 07:28

Coola is that a police force page? The stickers on gates dog stealing warning is thought to be a hoax.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 09/04/2013 07:38

We get them every now and then, I used to feel sorry for them and buy something, they werre very plausible and had ID, they are always from Middlesbrough (I'm in Hampshire). Then I decided not to any more as the stuff was so expensive and one turned nasty on me.

lurkedtoolong · 09/04/2013 07:40

Coola I'd check with the police on that one, everything I've read and seen says that it is a hoax.

flaminhoopsaloolah · 09/04/2013 08:38

Sorry you've been had. Dont let it change you / you're always going to come across bad apples.

flaminhoopsaloolah · 09/04/2013 08:41

Sorry...hit send button...

The world needs more people like you. If you let the wankers of the world turn you into somethin you're obviously not, they've won.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 09/04/2013 08:48

whosthis

they come round here. sometimes they are plaintive and I have bought a couple of things and they have been utterly crap

but the last one was hectoring/borderline aggressive.

Coola

I knew they were a scam, but the thing about the dogs is interesting

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