To be really annoyed about the ex-offenders selling at my door?

[ChampagneTastes]

I'm not annoyed by them to be honest, more by the horrible way in which they're having to try to scratch out a living. A guy came to my door today and read out his pitch, was very polite and reasonable. I was going to buy something but when I asked how much, everything was about ten pounds (things like a pair of tumble-drier balls or a set of oven gloves). It seemed really excessive. He, frankly, was completely aware that the prices were ridiculous - it's not like it was top quality merchandise - and when I offered him a couple of quid instead, he scrupulously turned it down.

In the end I bought some tea towels for £8 (£8!!!!) because the poor chap looked so defeated. AIBU in thinking the whole scheme is ridiculous because it is selling sub-standard products for over-inflated prices (and I wonder how much the sellers actually see of the profit) which will either result in people slamming the door in their faces or doing what I did which was essentially to give them charity? I can't help but feel that this is not going to do their self-esteem much good and I can't imagine it encouraging them to leave behind a life of crime.

Does anyone know how the scheme actually works? Is it compulsory? I feel really quite angry on this poor bloke's behalf.

Hang on, can we clarify:

Anyone who comes to your door claiming to be an ex-offender turning their life around and trying to sell stuff as part of a scheme is lying? It is always a scam??

Someone came to my door not long ago with this story. Although I didn't buy anything, I did believe him. I am quite shocked to find out that it's not true!

I had this too, I bought a duster for about £10 thinking I was being really nice and he had a real go at me for not spending more money! Never again!

They're Nottingham Knockers. We had three of them prosecuted in our magistrates' court last week. They were selling tat from The Range at hideously-inflated prices then scouting the joint to see if it was suitable for burglary. Definitely let your Safer Community Team (or equivalent) know, as soon as they knock. If the age the resources they may Coe out and ave a word with them. That's how the three here ended up in court.

The sob story is part of the scam so please don't fall for it.

www.safelocaltrades.com/consumers/advice/nottingham-knockers

There isn't an ex-offenders door to door selling scheme.

I'm not sure about "illegal" but they may well not have a license to sell things.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a scam as they are genuinely selling you overpriced tea towels, but the sales pitch isn't true.

I bought dusters in the exact same scenario a few years ago - £5.

I didn't know (or believe at first) that it was a scam either.

ChampagneTastes, I can't honestly remember the name of the 'firm' who sold the lad his bag of goods. Maybe there are several. And it isn't illegal, as the bag is there, filled with household stuff, so the firm isn't lying. It's just highly unlikely the boy will sell the lot and make anything much at all. The firm gets their money 'up front' so they can't lose.
If a lad is a 'bad'un' he won't be going trailing round the houses in the hot sun trying to sell dusters. He'll be out selling drugs or burgling. I should know, I've worked with dozens of 'em, bless their little cotton socks! I do honestly believe the poor little soul was genuine. He looked so despairing sitting on my neighbour's wall. He'd probably spend his last penny buying the stuff.

Our door gets knocked all the time - but I have a very strict rule that I don't buy anything over the door, so I always explain this and start to close the door. Amazing how quickly the sob story turns to aggression then.

That said, I know some of the sellers are young lads trying to sell on a bundle of tat to scrape up a living, I do feel sorry for them, but I still would never buy anything as I figure they'll just keep coming back.

I have learnt from this a thread. The next time one of them comes round I will call 101 and report it, just in case.

If I was braver, I would ask to see their peddler's licence and ask them all about the scheme, but I am not brave!

I didn't know this was a scam either, I've had this twice in recent weeks!

I would never buy at the doorstep (and my little one was in his highchair waiting for dinner anyway) but I did feel bad for them!

They weren't aggressive or anything.

I actually reported them to my local police who said they were genuine. I then reported the whole thing to my MP (she passed it on to the justice secretary). I'm still not sure, but it shouldn't be genuine - its a totally inappropriate way to re-habilitate ex-offenders.

Oh goodness I had this. I bought some overpriced pegs/dusters.He had a laminated badge/photo ID on as well to 'identify' himself with.

Can't believe I was scammed.

They're not genuine mummytime - I don't know if it's illegal to sell door to door but they're not part of an official rehab scheme. Ever.

I had a horrible encounter at my door with one of these Nottingham knockers.

I had to threaten him with the police to make him stop swearing and shouting at me when I complained that he had been ringing and ringing my door bell for ages before letting himself into to my porch and banging loudly on the glass of my inner front door.

I had been bathing the baby which was why I hadn't answered the door. I only answered in the end because I thought it must be something life or death urgent because of the incessant ringing and knocking!

I think they are or can be ex-offenders, being exploited by the company they're selling for.

Laminated ID about yourself is pretty easy to create, isn't it! Now, if it included an endorsement and contact details for the local probation service and the seller didn't mind waiting while you made that call...

I've been had previously too :-( Like others have said, he seemed genuine and I felt sorry for him. He was more polite than most of the charity muggers we get! Next time I will have no cash and no cheque book.

Presumably though, even if you pay by cheque, the most they get from you is the actual value of the goods. It's not like they can raid your bank account even with the details on a cheque. (can they??)

Wow, that link TracyBarlow posted is interesting.

I've jokingly bemoaned burglars' lack of strategic planning, networking and filing in the past (felt the first lot should have noted the limited nature of the spoils, so others didn't bother visiting). Um, so well done them for proving me wrong!

When I was a girl, people came round the doors selling all the time (just after the War) We had some lovely gypsies (not sure if that's the correct PC term nowadays, but that's what my mother called them!) We always bought pegs/white heather from them, and they made a curious chalk sign on our gatepost. My mum was Irish and she knew what it meant - a 'good house for selling to'. They had another sign for 'Don't bother here!'

OddFodd you try telling my (otherwise great) local Police that!
Actually they may have changed their story now... I phoned because I have a lot of elderly neighbours.

You should send them the link to the article that InfinitySeven posted mummytime

As stated in one of the links, they are casing the joint for cash stored in the house, elderly or vulnerable people so you should report to 101 and let your neighbours know if they've been around. Our local police force sends out warnings about this all the time, and if you report some in the area, they'll pick them up and check their details.

I've had two different ones coming to my door with this same story - once at our old house on the far side of town and once here. I bought something the first time, but not the second. I'm glad I saw this post OP as I had no idea it was a scam until now!

Don't we all have spy-holes in our doors just so that we can ignore doubtful-looking types like this?

I recommend a sign saying I do not buy at the door - ever.

OMG I've been done twice in recent weeks. Once by the kid turning his life around with new baby after prison (eco cloths @ £10) and also by a guy with a deaf card (shoe polish @ £5). I totally believed it, had no idea it was a scam!!

Just had a guy at the door - shouldn't have opened it but throught it was someone else. Said no thanks politely and said was mid cooking dinnner, true! - shut the door and he shouted through the door that he hoped I and my children choked on our food. It's a scam anyway but am a bit sick of the threatening behaviour.

Well I guess I got off lightly. I really don't think he was casing the joint and I did get what I paid for. He could have just taken some money from me (I offered) but he didn't, I got some tea towels. I won't do it again but I think he is probably as much of a victim in the whole thing as those of us who buy the stuff.