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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to shut the door on chuggers?

111 replies

LittleSausageFingers · 09/12/2016 16:13

Apologies if this has been done to death.

We've had a spate of chuggers knocking on recently and it's doing my head in. They tend to knock at 5ish, almost always when I'm giving DD her tea so I've had to drag her from the high chair to the door to answer. I know that of course I could just not answer, but I've done almost all my Christmas shopping online this year and we're getting a lot of packages. I don't want to miss them and have to go collect them.

I've no problem with walking past chuggers in the street with a 'no, thanks', but it's so much more intrusive at the door, and they don't seem to take the hint that it's a bad time, even with a food splattered baby on my hip. So AIBU to say 'no, thanks' and shut the door in their face?! I generally cut them off quickly and explain that I don't want to waste their time, but I am not going to donate to them/sign up because I don't agree in principle with door-to-door chugging, and it's nothing personal or against the charity. Which is fine, and doesn't take me long to say, but some of them are very persistent.

OP posts:
AwaywiththePixies27 · 10/12/2016 07:22

YNBU. We used to get that many I'd still have them knocking on my door at 8pm at night waking the DS up.

I've since got a sticker for the door with no cold calling etc on it. Cost me a couple of quid on amazon. I still have the odd one try their luck with me, and still knock and ignore the sign anyway but a lot less than before, the last one to say to me "but I'm not a salesman". Then tried to sell me something got very much on the wrong side of me! Grin

AwaywiththePixies27 · 10/12/2016 07:24

*Aplogies meant to say we get a huge swathe of people of charities and salesman. Just say no you're not interested. I once had one charity worker say to me I dont want you to sign up to anything ibjust want you to listen so I did. Ten minutes later he's asking for my direct debit details and got very grouchy when I said I never sign up to anything on the doorstep. Hmm

Wheredidallthejaffacakesgo · 10/12/2016 07:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ParisGellar · 10/12/2016 07:49

A chugger knocked here recently, he looked barely out of his teens and he had the cheek to ask me if my mum and dad were home. I'm the homeowner ffs.

restinginmyaccount · 10/12/2016 08:14

I know these folk are just doing a job but it is cynical and intrusive- we've had the "so you don't care about [insert cause]. I choose my causes in my own time and where possible, I donate anonymously.
Knock on my door and you are going to piss me off.

OliviaStabler · 10/12/2016 08:18

Secret is not to engage. As soon as you know they are a chugger, you say 'No thank you' and shut the door. Doesn't matter if they are still talking.

I had one woman who was so pushy, she tried to stick her hand through the tiny crack in the door I had opened to shake hands even though I told her I was ill. She wouldn't shut up when I said I wasn't interested so I shut the door and she just kept on talking. I was feeling really ill so used a few choice words at the door as I made my way back to bed Blush

Maladicta · 10/12/2016 08:30

I verbally tore a strip off a street chugger who tried the 'so you don't care about children' line on me. He wasn't expecting it and did stammer an apology.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 10/12/2016 08:42

Paris Grin That reminded me of when I was in hospital in the summer. Grouchy lady kept asking me where my mum was before she realised I was the patient! 😂

Olivia that's a bit full on! Shock

llangennith · 10/12/2016 08:52

I just say "no thanks" and shut the door. Their problem if they're still talking, not mine.

OliviaStabler · 10/12/2016 09:24

Olivia that's a bit full on! shock

Not really. I didn't use bad language, just a bit passive aggressive about people who over stay their welcome etc.

DeepanKrispanEven · 10/12/2016 09:36

Interesting that people have had the dishcloth guys being abusive. I recently answered the door to one when I was housesitting, so when he asked if I was "the lady of the house" I said no. He flew into a temper and accused me of lying, so I told him that was hardly the way to win me round to buy things off him and closed the door. I thought it was maybe a one-off, but obviously not. I wonder why on earth they think that's a good way to sell anything?

AlpacaPicnic · 10/12/2016 10:46

mywinetime who asked why you wouldn't open the door to someone you weren't expecting...
Because it could be someone who tries to force their way into your home to steal your things, or it could be someone trying to distract you at the front door while an accomplice breaks in at the back of the house to steal. Or, worst cas scenario, it could be someone who wants to hurt you.

Not answering the door to strangers is good advice for everyone but especially to someone alone with a baby who might be especially vulnerable.

theaveragewife · 10/12/2016 10:53

I had some from guide dogs for the blind a couple of nights ago (whilst trying on some Christmas party dresses I ordered) who when I said I was too busy said sarcastically - not too busy for food though? As my deliveroo order turned up, then proceeded to try and talk me into adopting a dog - taking advantage of my door being open, although I'd already said no!

It was so intrusive and the guy was leaning into my house whilst my zip was not all the way done up in a party dress, I wonder if I should complain! I would hate for this to happen to someone more vulnerable and with less of an ability to tell people to fuck the fuck off.

DailyMailyFaily · 10/12/2016 10:58

TheAverageWife (and any others who have had rude or pushy chuggers)
Why don't you report them to the charity. I imagine that they would want to know.

theaveragewife · 10/12/2016 11:04

I will! I've never had so many as I've had in the last week - NSPCC, Guide Dogs and then just doorstop selling by Virgin Media Hmm

Not great for the nerves as there's been a spate of car crime in the area over the last month.

Yes, I'll definitely report!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/12/2016 12:41

Thing is, chuggers only do it because it works often enough to make it worthwhile; worse still, once they have your contact details the charity will almost certainly call repeatedly, badgering for an increase in the payment

Until the number of folk refusing puts them off, the only thing is to say a simple "no thanks" and close the door (and possibly use a blank stare for any "don't you care about ...?")

CruCru · 10/12/2016 13:24

Gosh, I hate it when the teatowel sellers come round. They do get really aggressive.

MamaLyon · 10/12/2016 13:33

I really want to say that I don't care about whatever charity they are collecting for... "I don't care about children/dogs/donkeys/old people" just to shut them up, I haven't been brace enough yet!

ItsALLAboutMeMeMeMeME · 10/12/2016 13:57

The charity ones here (USA) I know are usually from professional fundraising companies so only a proportion of the donation goes to the actual charity. I have no problem telling them no.

I opened the door to one guy who immediately started telling me that his company was providing pest control services to several of my neighbours since there had been an infestation of wolf spiders in the area. He flashed up a photo card with a picture of this horrendous looking spider. I screamed really loud, slammed the door and burst into noisy tears.

In my defense I'm terrified of spiders plus I'd just left work early feeling really unwell and feverish. He must have spread the word around not to go to the crazy lady's house, we didn't get any cold callers for ages after that.

BadLad · 10/12/2016 14:26

YABU to shut the door in chuggers' faces, when you could be slamming it in their faces.

AndShesGone · 10/12/2016 14:37

I always decide to commit a greater crime than the scam artist tea towel sellers.

I tell them I'm a police officer and they and their mates run away to a car parked down the street. Works every time.

MollyRedskirts · 10/12/2016 15:09

I came up with a very effective strategy to avoid chuggers in shopping centres when my DS was small. I taught him to run past them, then I'd jog past going 'Sorry! Small child to catch!'

We had a sign saying no cold callers in our last house. You'd be surprised at how many people think it doesn't apply to them. We replaced it with a more specific 'We don't buy at the door, or have the time to listen. Please do not knock.' That covered a lot more bases and I could silently point to it if I needed.

I haven't got around to getting a sign for this house, but I don't care what they think of me. My response varies from hearing them out, to not opening the door in the first place, to asking them if they'll sign up to sponsor my child in a fictitious fun run.

I've had the 'Oh, so you don't care about sick children/animals?' line used on me a few times. My DC were with me once, so I replied with 'Only my own.' When I've had it used on me when I'm alone, I usually go 'That's right. I hate children.' in a very sarcastic voice, then ask them if that line has EVER worked for them, and are they proud of how their life is going?

I give no fucks any more. I have a lot of fun with chuggers. Grin

SnatchedPencil · 10/12/2016 15:19

It's not rude to ignore them or shut the door on them. Their job is to try to manipulate or guilt-trip you into giving them your money. Remember that they are being paid to do this - the charity won't see the majority of any money you give them. If their argument happens to persuade you, for goodness' sake don't hand over your money there and then - give it to the charity directly.

(PS. Please can we stop calling them "chuggers" too! Their correct title is Charity Muggers. They are professional manipulators. To me the word "chugger" implies inefficiency, like an engine "chugging" along. Charity Muggers are highly organised and know exactly how extract your money from you. They are no different to a normal gang of muggers, aside from the fact the law smiles upon them and their weapons are words and emotions rather than fists and knives.)

Oysterbabe · 10/12/2016 15:22

I look through the spy hole and don't open the door if they look like chuggers or jehovahry.

Alorsmum · 10/12/2016 15:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.