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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be worried about door-to-door chugger?

34 replies

Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 21:50

So today I got a visit from a charity fundraiser. He was working for a charity that I would like to support. I was just about to leave and asked him to come back later. He did and I signed all forms etc....then at the end he asked if he could use my phone to make a confirmation call. I asked him why he had to do this and he tried to explain but he was a bit waffly. Again I was in a bit of a hurry and just let him do it. It was an 020 number...

Does anyone know why he had to make a call? I was panicking that he was going to phone a premium line so I got OH to show him where phone was and watch who he was calling.

OP posts:
Jackie0 · 11/11/2015 21:53

You are incredibly trusting.
I can't think of a legit reason for him to do this .
I can't believe you let him tbh.

LIZS · 11/11/2015 21:56

Did your oh not listen in to the conversation? I won't sign up to anything at the door.

SaucyJack · 11/11/2015 21:56

They probably just want to confirm your home number so they can ring you on it 486 times a day begging for more money.

Original poster
Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 21:58

OH and I were both there - he said his name and his id number and then the number at the top of the forms we filled in. That was it. Hrrumph!

OP posts:
Original poster
Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 21:59

saucy this could be it...I can handle that. Just not the thought of a gazillion quid phone bill.

OP posts:
absolutelynotfabulous · 11/11/2015 22:03

I think saucy's right. They contact their bosses to register a successful sign-up.

Happened to me a few times. I feel sorry for them, so always ask them in. Poor buggers...they always seem so desperate..

ratspeaker · 11/11/2015 22:03

020 is area code for London not a premium rate.
Personally I never agree to anything at the door.

Mmmmcake123 · 11/11/2015 22:06

If it is to confirm your number after you have given it that's not so bad (tho not very trusting) but if is to get the number cos it's not been entered on the form then I think it's another low for fundraising techniques.

Original poster
Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 22:09

I don't normally either - don't know what came over me.

OP posts:
caker · 11/11/2015 22:09

Why couldn't he just use his mobile?

Original poster
Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 22:10

Do you know, now that you come to mention it I didn't put a phone number on the form. What a wee dick...

OP posts:
AliceInUnderpants · 11/11/2015 22:18

what a wee dick

This did make me snort

Tabsicle · 11/11/2015 22:20

I don't know why he'd do that. I work with chuggers and this isn't normal. The only thing I can guess is that his mobile was out of charge and he had to call his office. It wouldn't be normal practice at all.

NotAWhaleOmeletteInSight · 11/11/2015 22:24

Did you note down the full number? Try googling it.

You're far more trusting than me!

SeparatedByMotorways · 11/11/2015 22:51

If you're worried perhaps you could contact the customer service line for the charity and ask about it? Particularly if you've recently signed up, I'm pretty sure that they'll want to make sure they keep your trust and if anything is amiss you'll have let them know in good time so they might be able to help?

It definitely sounds weird...

Original poster
Crabbitface · 11/11/2015 22:53

I'll give them a bell tomorrow and find out what it was all about and if it was just to register my number I'll ask them to take me off any marketing lists they have.

OP posts:
Blueflavourpandapops · 11/11/2015 22:59

Having had this unfortunate job as a teen, I can remember how we had to try and get a mobile and/or landline-as posters above have mentioned this was so they could indeed call you on a regular basis and try to guilt you into donating more.
Strikes me as another sneaky tactic!
On a lighter note...I signed up for a charity who raised money for people who had been affected by bone cancer.
I was quite disconcerted when I received a call on behalf of said charity. The lady on the other end of the phone simply couldn't answer when I explained that I wouldbe happy to become a donor. I know its only a small jibe, but having seen how these company's work I am biased I suppose.

Notoedike · 11/11/2015 23:04

I hate door to door chuggers, they get a short shift.

PurpleDaisies · 11/11/2015 23:08

Not a chugger but I signed up with Abel and Cole veg boxes at the door and the guy had to call head office so I could confirm my details. It has proved to be totally legit.

I'm sure all will be fine when you call them.

Stillunexpected · 11/11/2015 23:30

If a call to Head Office is necessary to confirm any new donations, then the charity should be issuing the chuggers with mobiles! Surely it is difficult enough to get people to sign up to anything on the doorstep without then asking to use their phone? I wouldn't sign up to anything anyway from a chugger but if I did and they then asked to come into my house, I'd close the door!

PurpleDaisies · 11/11/2015 23:45

if a call to Head Office is necessary to confirm any new donations, then the charity should be issuing the chuggers with mobiles!

I agree with this-my veg box guy called on his company mobile.

MoonSurfer · 11/11/2015 23:59

It seems unusual I've never known any of them to do that.

"so I got OH to show him where phone was and watch who he was calling."

Confused about this bit, why couldn't you show him where the phone was and watch?

lottiegarbanzo · 12/11/2015 00:23

For the future, if you're interested in a particular charity, go on it's website or phone it and sign up direct. Then your money goes to the charity's work. By signing up via a chugger, almost all your first year's donations will go to pay the chugging company.

You should have a cooling off period, so could back out of this contract then sign up direct.

Chuggers are valuable for signing up people who would not have thought of supporting the charity otherwise. For people like you, they waste funds that could be going to the charity.

JessieMcJessie · 12/11/2015 00:51

Blueflavourpandapops perhaps I am being dim but I don't understand what you mean when you say the lady on the phone couldn't answer when you said you'd be happy to become a donor, and why this is a jibe at how these companies work?

Imknackeredzzz · 12/11/2015 01:36

No way would I have let some random into my home to use the phone!! - your far more trusting than me!!