Aibu to think that if I choose not to donate to a cold caller they shouldn't ask why not?

[PseudoBadger]

Cold caller yesterday from a charity. Baby dd was crying on her play mat, he launched straight into a pitch about the charity's work. I waited for a minute to see if he would stop when it was clear that I had to see to dd (she was loud enough for him to hear).
He didn't so I said, "I'm just going to stop you. I need to go but I will look on your website". He said, "do you mind if I ask why you're not donating right now?"
I told him that my baby needed feeding and I don't like signing up for things at the door. Is this a question that they have to ask (for stats or something) or is it a tactic to test if you're lying?

[Gingefringe]

I say I'm already signed up to them!

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

I don't think it's to overcome objections at all. I think it's so you're forced to say/think "Because I don't care enough about this issue" and then feel bad. But the truth is you can't have EVERY charity as your highest priority all the time.

I usually tell them I'm on benefits and they run a mile

[ElsieMc]

I live out in the sticks and last winter at around 9 at night (it was pitch dark). Two men knocked on the door and when I put the chain across the door to open it, the atmosphere changed. They said they were from Save the Children and asked me to donate cash there and then but I didn't have cash on me.

As I had the children in the house and didnt want to stand at the door as it was very cold, I asked them to give me the paperwork and I would look at it. They refused to do so and were hostile in their manner and body language. They insisted I must give there and then. It really creeped me out.

I also don't like being continually hassled in town either as this incident has put me off donating.

[Nomama]

I shall save that one... no, I shall go looking for a shill to drop it on!

[AnitaBlake]

DH told the Save the Tiger guy in Newcastle that he couldn't donate as he gives to Save the Zebras and it wod be a conflict of interests.....

[Nomama]

I only once got caught up with a young girl who was crying about vivisection.

I stopped and picked up a leaflet and couldn't help it, I laughed. Well, as you might imagine, she flew off into one.

When she had calmed down I asked when and where she thought the piccy had been taken as it depicted practices that have not been used for about 20 years. She told me when and where it said they were taken and I explained she was misinformed and maybe should question the info she was given more closely. Again she went off on one.

A passerby asked me what I meant. So I explained. The pictures claimed to be from 2010 in an Oxford College lab. But I knew that they were from about 1982 in a research centre in Cambridgeshire. I knew because my uncle was the government vet/inspector who had taken the pictures when giving evidence against the centre, just prior to it being closed down. It was a bit of landmark case and set the scene for much of the legislation in place today.

Oddly the young girl packed up and left. I assume she set up somewhere else and went back to crying.....

[Whathaveiforgottentoday]

I find a firm no and put the phone down works on the telephone. Generally cut them off mid speech. Used to get engaged in the conversation but got annoyed that they wouldn't stop their spiel to answer a question and end up talking over you - so rude.

Or alternatively, tell them you already have a direct debit set up with their charity - completely throws them and they don't know what to do. Its very funny. I often embellish it with some gushing statement of how much I love animals/children etc.

I did this first genuinely with a chugger but since then I've just been lying.

[Samhainslass]

I close the door in their face or hang up the phone. Although sometimes I ask them for money first...

[LadyFlumpalot]

I tell DS (3) that it's Mr Tumble on the phone and hand it over for him to have a lovely chat.

I've been too nice to a couple of JWs though and they keep coming back and trying to talk to me.

[swampytiggaa]

I had a chugger from an animal charity collar me. I said no thank you. He then said 'but don't you CARE about animals?' I said no not particularly and walked off.

Barnardo's came to the for asking me to donate to help children in poverty. I pointed out that with five children and one income donating to charity would put my own children at risk of poverty.

I don't get many cold callers these days...

[Bodicea]

When I told a cancer one I already had a direct debit to two animal charities he totally scoffed as if it was ridiculous for me to give my money to an animal charity. He also said a lot of my neighbours will have had cancer (a lot of elderly people on my estate). Told him I would donate my money where I pleased thankyou very much!!!

[mouldyironingboard]

I find telling cold callers to wait while I flush the loo and wash my hands then shutting the door works every time. They never wait around - especially if I'm holding the loo roll

[jammygem]

My NDN has the brilliant tactic of firmly asking "Did I invite you to my house?" whenever any kind of cold caller shows up. If they say no or immediately go into their spiel, he says "Well piss off then" and shuts the door.

I think he earnt himself a reputation, he was telling me he hasn't had any for months...

[HoratiaDrelincourt]

My best response, which I can use to any aid or child charity, is "because I volunteer for one of your competitors". That's unanswerable.

[LtEveDallas]

The RSPCA cold caller asked me why and I said "Because you have 88 million in the bank and you shoot dogs with Captive Bolt Guns" and he said with a sneer "Oh, you are one of those"

The NSPCC girl said "Don't you like children?" And I said, looking straight at DD "They're OK, but I couldn't eat a whole one"

Otherwise I just say "I'm sorry, I don't make donations at the door"

[RestingActress]

My answer is "because if I want to give to the charity I will do just that, rather than paying your commission"

[Nomama]

Because I am a mardy cow who wants all [pick your recipient] to learn to be self sustaining - just like I am.

I don't want to.

No.

If it will make you feel better.

..... I am sure I have been very rude on occasion, but, depending on just how needy, weasily, winy they are, I usually use one of the above.

[nennypops]

DSIL once tried the tactic of telling a caller that she already gave to her preferred charities and wasn't therefore going to add to them. He was stupid enough to ask challengingly what those charities were, clearly implying he thought she was making it up. She readily gave him her entirely genuine list, including some fairly obscure charities, explaining what each charity did and why she chose to donate to them. Half an hour later, he finally managed to escape ...

[EmmelineGoulden]

I think YmightBabitU. If you are bothered if they asked "do you mind if I ask why you aren't donating" then just say "yes I do mind" or "I don't think it's any of your business". He's asking a question to try and improve what he does. Reply to it in a way that is more likely to push them towards a behaviour you'd like. That's the point of asking for and giving feedback. It's just clear communication. You don't have to make a song and dance about it or read anything into a straight forward question. You also don't have to give him what he wants.

Having said that, if he could hear your child he's a bit of an ass. I am sick of charity cold callers who seem to think I should stay and talk to them or who won't get to the point when I've told them I only have a second and no time for any spiel. I end up closing the door on them and thinking badly of their charity. Had a brilliant guy from Shelter last year though. He was friendly and helpful when I had two 3 year olds break down screaming as I opened the door. Helped calm then down and then left without trying to get through his piece. He came back a week later at a better time of day so I listened and signed up.

[LumpySofa]

You say "I don't mind at all. Bye then, must dash!" and close the door.

[SchrodingersCake]

I'd shut the door in his face with a "thank you, I'll consider that but right now my baby needs feeding"

[MothershipG]

I have a no cold callers sign, it doesn't stop all of them but it really helps.

[PseudoBadger]

Thanks, I do normally just open the door and say no thank you and shut it firmly. I take one of the dogs normally too. I'm a bit off the ball since dd arrived... We get a lot of JWs and last time they knocked I told them I'd had a blood transfusion and that I'd happily have another.

[TalkinPeace]

"I am registered with the telephone preference service"

"I have a policy of never giving to organisations who knock on my door so you have just lost all hope of future donations"

"If what you were offering was worth having, I'd be knocking on your door"

covers most variants

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow]

Don't answer the door to anyone you don't know. I guarantee you they want your money.