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.

I had this happen at my door about 10 years ago. My NDN was a policeman and was outraged that he had somebody who was an ex offender at his door too. He checked it out and found it to be genuine. Neither of us bought anything though.

Why do people even answer the door to strangers? Is there any genuine reason someone you don't know would knock? (Genuine question because I'm stumped).

I've been had too then brought the tea towels as they were the cheapest thing (in both sense of the word).
He wasn't aggressive at all but I was home alone with my dd so brought something so he would go away

Yes this is a well known scam. If police and councils become aware that its operating in their area, they will normally alert the public through messages on websites etc. People need to have a peddlers licence from the council to legitimately sell door to door and these folk dont

Champagne he has a pedlars licence, probably from a police service out of your area. You've been had sorry :((

I answer the door because the post can be delivered anytime between 8am and 6 pm, and then there are the couriers. Admittedly if you make it to my front door you are usually pretty committed (it's a way from the road, which is why our parcels have been known to only make it half way). Also given the state of our hallway it would put burglars off. And the most valuable thing in the house would be very tricky to get out.

Omg can't believe it. Have been had by these peeps more than once. They always seem so polite and sincere. Though I did say no the last couple of times as they'd been too often and I'd spotted stuff they were hawking for £10 for £1 in the pound shop.
One of them mentioned a well known local charity that works with addicts, I will have to ring and ask if they know anything about it.

I called the police on one of these after I had a load of abuse hurled at me, and he made intimidating faces at DD1. The man in question had said the scheme was supported by the police. The police said to me, that there would be no way that they would be encouraging people who had just come out of prison into such a situation where the potential for them to come across a vulnerable and easily exploitable person is high. This is a scam.

Sounds like I had a lucky escape recently then. I had a young guy who was 'an ex offender' and had learning difficulties (pretty sure that bit was genuine) at my door claiming he had used his initiative to start his selling business after struggling to find work. I didn't buy anything as I genuinely had no cash/chequebook but I didn't doubt him for a second!

I find it quite intimidating. I work from home and our street is pretty much deserted in the day, and I answer the door because we are always having stuff delivered. I had a couple of lads the other day get quite aggressive when I told them, "No thanks". I don't know, I'd feel a bit of an idiot putting the chain on though.

Had someone knock yesterday with some laminate card thingy. I've got a sign in the window which says we don't buy or sell at the door, which she ignored. Just said no thanks and she went on her way.

It’s a SCAM they are NOT EX OFFENDERS. Do your research

They claim to be all sorts of things (ex offenders, students from abroad, long term unemployed etc etc) A few years ago my Dad (who had alzheimer's) handed over a load of money to one of them for various household items he didn't even need. But being vulnerable my Dad just handed the guy a handful of notes and got given a couple of tea towels and some dusters.

Sorry they got money from you OP, they sound very plausible, I am a sucker for a sob story too, and lots of people must be or the scam wouldn't work and they wouldn't bother.
Don't be too hard on yourself - better to be a kind person than a crook.

🧟‍♂️ ZOMBIE THREAD!!! 🧟‍♀️

We’ve been warned round here it’s a scam, they aren’t ex offenders and are charging silly prices putting you under pressure at the front door. The police and council are giving out free posters to put up on the front door to say you won’t buy from door knockers.