About apparent ex-convicts selling door to door

[Trixiebelle16]

Just had one saying he was trying to get on the straight and narrow and wanted to come in and show me what was in his in bag to sell. I was at home with dd and said no - I didn't have any cash, which is true. He started getting very agitated begging me to let him in. I started feeling very intimidated and finally managed to get the door shut. Feel a bit shaken up. Has anyone else had this?

I had one recently who kicked my door when I shut it and called me a "f*cking bitch". He gave me a load of spiel then tried to sell me a £1 pack of sponges for a fiver.

I texted my friends on the street to tell them not to answer the door when he knocked. One friend told me her brother had been involved with this type of door to door selling. It's run by an organiser who supplies the goods the guys sell and they drive them as a group to an area where they split up and knock on doors. From what I understand the guys keep a percentage of what they sell, so minus the actual cost of goods, minus the organisers commission, then they keep the small profit.

If you're getting them calling, going by what I've been told, it's unlikely they're casing your house but simply that you're on their allocated street. Try not to worry, and if you can afford to pay a fiver for sponges from a pound shop, then it seems these guys (never had any girl's knocking) do keep some of the profits.

Yea I had one call several years ago and I was definitely suspicious as the cleaning items were so overpriced . I also felt very unnerved when he left and made sure the door was locked afterwards. But, I also had a very old lady come collecting for " Christian aid". She just had a sticker on her lapel and no collecting box, so I gave her 50p which she took and put in her pocket and walked off. I did feel abit sorry for her .

We get these sometimes. If I answer the door I pretend I'm the nanny or a babysitter or the cleaner (it's a damn good job the door only opens into the hall because if they could see the house they'd know there ain't no cleaning happening in here ) and I'm very busy right now / not allowed to buy at the door.

Works on most people, including chuggers that go door to door or people who come round trying to sell you a new gas tariff or double glazing.

I had one on Christmas Eve!! and lots of other callers over a 2 year period following moving to this house, the others were garden 'we're working in your area' type people. One even came around the back of the house - to give me a leaflet once I arrived home from picking dd from nursery and saw 2 guys going in our front gate towards the door, by the time I got out of car and to the door they completely vanished. A few months later we were burgled - during the day at a time when there is regularly no one at home - in hindsight I think all of the above was us being watched and checked out etc - getting to know our routine checking out doors etc. The police fortunately got the guys who did it they were from a traveller site about 5 miles away. They'd done lots of burlaries in the area over a few wk period.

So if you get any of these doorstep sellers/ people offering services etc be aware what they are doing - and get alarm, cctv etc - a a big scary dog!!

Absolutely no way. Just say "no thanks" and shut the door. No reason to feel guilty.

We've had them come around here several times. Always say that I don't buy things or sign up for stuff over the doorstep and they've usually been fine about going away. Never really thought about ringing the police to report them though - maybe I will next time. Do you use the 101 number?

However our old neighbour's were part of a religious sect and they offered ex offenders a room in their home for a while when they came out of prison and they did occasionally cause problems but it was tricky as although they made you feel uncomfortable they had a right to be on the shared drive.

We also get 'art students' - often from Eastern Europe - bringing round a portfolio of their pictures that they're trying to sell. Again I say I don't buy anything over the doorstep but they have been more aggressive and seem to take the rejection more personally. Must remember to report them when they come around next too as I bet they are a similar scam...

I had one who didn't respond to my telling him I don't buy anything at the door and who got distinctly aggressive and personal until DH called out to me then appeared, at which doorstepper scarpered and his like have not been seen here since. They tell the others if there is a man on the premises.

We get LOADS of these people. They're really nice then horrible when you say no.

Confuugled - yep 101 number

Oh and if you're on your own and someone knocks unexpectedly, get into the habit of when you're stood near door call out something like "I'll be back up in a min john, just got to answer door". Door caller will hear this and believe someone is/may likely be upstairs and by using a name implies it's a male partner

I think that people that do buy from them should have a little think about what is being encouraged. You may have just had a slightly over inflated price, and if there were clearly other people or dogs about maybe you have never had anything untoward - but what about the vulnerable people they knock on to? The ones that are pressurised into silly prices, have purses pinched or are cased out and details passed onto others that they are a soft touch or good candidate for a burglary.
I have yet to see any legitimate charity/business that has been shown to do this. When I have called and reported them the police have always said they are a scam.

I've experienced this too. He was asking if he could do any odd jobs in my house or garden. I thought it was very probably was a con but even if it wasn't telling someone you are an ex con seems to be a totally bizarre way of getting anyone to trust you to buy their stuff or let you into their house.

I have never had anyone be aggressive but I am always very polite to them while fobbing them off with an excuse for why I'm not going to buy or give them work. One person even thanked me for "being nice"!

Never had one become aggressive; the fact that I'm 6 foot three and 16 stone might be linked to this.
Anyone that come to the door that hasn't been invited, apart from the odd 'can I leave a parcel for three doors up', of course, gets seriously short shrift and a Hard Stare.

I actually used to do this as a stop gap when I could find work.

In my opinion it's hardly a scam. Yes the goods are bought cheap (poundland etc..) And sold for £5 or £10. However I feel it is initiative! Getting off your are and walking 10 - 20 miles a day to make about £60-£100 after the goods are paid for is hardly a scam.

I used to be honest and tell people that I was out of work and rather than claim benefits I do this to make some money. I would keep it simple bit if people asked I would tell them more. How I got to where I was, that I have a child and the fact that benefits pay 110 pounds a fortnight.

Most people would sympathise and buy something but there are a lot of angry people who shout and tell you to p*s off.

Tenacity and resilience is needed.

No the scheme is not backed by probation however many people on probation may turn to this.

It originally started as ex offender rehabilitation man years ago. But this is no longer true.

The genuine honest lads are just trying to make some money.

There are people that use it as a distraction burglary or to case a house but they are easy to spot with no ID and wandering eyes.

I once had a lady buy 5 items off me for £50. I had to walk nearly 1 mile up her driveway to a hugeeeee house. Absolutely Lovely lady. Very kind.

I had old ladies that felt bad for me and I could see they had hardly anything they could afford to give. I would knock money off and normally sell them items half price as I felt guilty taking their money.

There are organised 'gangs' with a leader who buys th e stock and supplies lads to go out to different areas and sell. They have to give min of 50% to them.

" hello sorry to disturb you, my name is ..... (Show card) I am on a work creation scheme designed to help unemployed people get back into work. I was made redundant about 6 months ago and have struggled to find work since so rather than claiming benefits ive decided to help myself. All I do is call round once a year providing small house hold goods. Nothing big only little things. 50% goes towards work creation which pays for the items and packaging the other 50% I keep. I son make a lot, can you help me help myself?.....

What have you got?../

(Takes bag off back and opens it)

Well I have lots of different things between £5 and £10.

( the key is to talk about each item till they get bored or it is obvious)

Here we have an electric fly swatter shaped as a tennis racket. Great in the summer to zap those annoying fly's.

How much is that?

£10

Oh that's a bit expensive what else have you got

Microfiber cleaning cloths 7.50 you can use these for all sorts wet dry etc. ..v

I think you guys get the poibt.......

Its hards an easy thing to do. If one of these lads came to my door I would probably buy some dusters as I know how hard it is.

Dont be too hard on them. But do watch out for suspicious people with no identification. Do report those shifty ones to the police.

You need to had a peddlers licence which costs about £25 for the year otherwise the police will just take their stock off them.

PS... Thanks if anyone bought off me aha. It got me through a very difficult part of my life. Fortunately I have found full time work again now and dont have to sell goods out of a bag.

I had one of these a few years ago. I didn't buy anything. He was quite rude when I asked if it was a scam.

My mum had one of these a few years ago, the lad somehow managed to get her to buy an ironing board cover. Mum needed a new cover anyway and bought it for a good price, seemed a nice silvery reflective one and the dimensions were right for her oversized board. Anyway, the chap went up the drive chuckling to himself and she didn’t think any more of it other than he was pleased to get a sale.

When she opened it up later it revealed a photo of huge, almost naked man printed down the middle! None of this was evident from the outside, it just looked like a regular cover. She was mortified but also found it hilarious, she “gifted” it to her best friend as a joke!

We have a couple.of regulars- probably once a year each, been coming for years. I can only assume that some people in the area are buying from them. Theyre always polite when I say no thanks.

Do remember if you buy anything you are admitting to keeping money in the house. They may be one of the more legit ones but I wouldn't bank on it. And letting them into the house so they can see what you own.... Words fail me.

The art student is another popular scam I'm afraid.

I must say. If people are not interested there is little point in arguing or insulting them.

The only time I was ever rude was if people were very rude to me.

If you knock 100 doors 10 of them are horrible to you and 89 are polite and say not interested. Then you get one person who buys something for 10 pounds.....

That's not easy!!!!!

If you dont want them to knock ypu can get window stickers from the police station. They say " I do not deal with uninvited traders, please leave or I will call the police"

I used to post them through the door after a rude person insulted me and slammed the door in my face.

Basically, they are not all bad. This is their job. It might not be a very good or honorable one but at least they are trying rather than sponging of the government!

If they ask to come in they are not legit

I run a Neighbourhood Watch. There is no such rehabilitation scheme in the UK. These sellers are often aggressive and sadly often a cluster of burglaries will occur in areas they call have called at. Report to the police on 101 especially as they intimidated you.

Also I often used to get " I have no money in the house"

I used to say that's okay not everyone does. Take a cheque or even give them the item they wanted and say I would return at the end of the day to collect the cash.

Honestly is the best policy.

You can spot the genuine ones quite easily. If they force you to buy something or beg you then call the police