Chuggers- aibu to find it all a bit awkward and embarrassing??

[guajiraguantanamera]

Two men came to my door earlier, trying to raise funds for a well known charity. The men were friendly enough, no issue with their behaviour or anything but I just found the whole thing awkward, especially as I was busy at the time but felt rude to say so.
I find it patronising when these people insist that it's "only x amount a week, you'll hardly miss it!" Well actually, considering that my maternity leave has now finished and we are now a one wage family, yes I think I might miss it actually!
I ended the conversation by saying I would have a look on their website but I felt embarrassed and flustered as though they felt I was lying about not being able to afford it..
But maybe its just me being daft!

We don't have so many at the door, (I always look out the window if they knock and if they are carrying a clipboard or wearing a tabard I don't answer, I don't care if they can see me)

I've had a couple of buggers in the street recently,
I pretended to be on my phone and as I walked by chugger said"you don't have to phone me, I'm here!" I said "why would I be phoning you love" and walked on by,

Another time, I had already said no to somebody, then met another chugger a few feet down the road, I said no and explained his colleague had already harassed me,
He said "oh don't worry madam, we will harass you on your way back too"

I have no respect for these people I'm afraid

I saw a hand written sign the other day that said 'no cold callers or pickeys'

My husband is such a wuss he sends me to the door to deal with any callers! I'm very polite but usually say that if I want to donate I'll do it through GAYE at work where the donation will not only be matched by my employer but I will also get the tax benefit. They can't really argue with that!

I have a no cold callers sign that works really well but if I'm accosted in the street by chugged then I simply say no thanks. I don't feel any need to make an excuse or to feel embarrassed. If you felt embarrassed or awkward every time There was an opportunity or request to give money then you'd spend a lot of time feeling embarrassed and awkward. It's a bit pointless.

Having done very similar jobs to this in the past, I agree that it's fine to just say 'not interested, thank you' and shut the door. It happens and the person at the door is human, they will understand and it's best not to waste any more of anyone's time than is necessary.

Also, Branleuse I think the claim that if they cared that much they would be volunteering is disingenuous. Charities employ fundraisers because charities rely on voluntary income. The charities generate some income, and the fundraisers have jobs. I don't think that it is any way fair to claim that all fundraisers should be volunteers or else they don't care. (apologies if this derails at all)

I always say "sorry, my mums not in" smile, and shut the door. This is true, because she doesn't live with me, but it is her house and most don't question it, if they do, then im 17.
My Dsis tells all chuggers she's 14. (I'm 29, Dsis 23.)
DH answers the door and speaks Welsh. We don't live in Wales.

That's what they're aiming for OP, to get you embarrassed and then emotionally blackmail you into signing up.

I always pre-empt the chances of this by stopping them as soon as they start their script by saying 'if you're trying to sign people up for your charity, I don't give my bank details to people who come to my door', or something similar.

I've had some of them push it a bit and I just repeat myself about not giving bank details.

Why anyone would give out this sort of information to a total stranger who happens to knock on their door is completely beyond me.

It's fund raising by bullying. They're doing a job and getting paid for it. You have no reason to feel awkward if you refused to be browbeaten.

I have the "no cold callers" sign, and it is regularly ignored. I open the door, point to the sign, and hear all sorts of nonsense. Mostly "oh, I didn't see it" (it's pretty large, and bright yellow with black lettering) but a few times they've popped out with "I can't read."

I had one man that shouted at me as I pointed to the sign and closed the door "So you're okay with kids dying from cancer then? You don't want to help find a cure?!" Not the best sales pitch IMO.