Confession time - I very was very briefly a chugger, in desperate times between jobs about 15 years ago. A door knocking one.
It worked like this - I answered a vague “work in marketing, no experience necessary” in the MEN.
Went along for an interview where you are promised the moon a stick - build your own business, be your own boss, make millions etc. Offerered immediate start.
Meet in city centre office in the morning, be briefed on that weeks charity, get driven off miles out into the suburbs with a bag of “merch” (charity bumph and DD forms) and spend 8/9 hours on the streets knocking on doors.
About 9pm head back the the office and rejoice about who has hit “target” or “personal best” ring bells, give high fives and generally pat each other on the back for how many old ladies you have scammed that day.
Get paid £12 per DD sign up, cash in hand on a self employed basis (can guarantee none of the front line staff declare income to IR)
Have the opportunity to recruit and build your own team so you eventually move up the tree and make profit from your teams “sales”
Head of said “business” drives fancy car, takes you to corporate events and swans around like a millionaire. (All an illusion possibly)
Was a bit of a MLM I suppose.
Anyway, it was fucking horrible, I only did it for a few weeks and to be fair earned enough to pay the bills until I managed to get a proper job (which I am still in now 15 years later)
I’ve no idea if this is still how it works, but they really prayed on the vulnerable getting them to answer the vague ads and promises of wealth. Disgusting and unethical.
They were not linked to the charities they “sold” they were agents I suppose. We had a different charity each week.
I feel sorry for the chuggers, but not enough to open my door to them.