AIBU to let charity workers talk for 5 mins before telling them no?

[margiemoo]

Charity workers regularly knock on my door asking for direct debits to be set up for their charities and they always speak for about 5 minutes before telling you what they want and giving you the chance to turn them down.
They obviously do this to make you feel bad and feel as though you really should sign up since you have let them talk for so long when you're actually not even interested and they always tell you your neighbours have been shockingly supportive and have all signed up as well.
I don't want to be super rude and shut the door in their face but I don't want to sign up either or let them waste their time.
Can anyone think of a way to politely decline the invitation to set up a direct debit when they're only 9 seconds into their long speech and haven't asked for anything yet?
Has anyone ever signed up for a direct debit with a charity who knocked on their door?

Sign on the door/window

'We do not speak to unannounced callers'

Those signs don’t work. I should know.

Politely and with a smile cut them off. It's not actually rude. You're freeing them up to move on to the next house.

I always shout through the door before opening it, to see who it is, if the person answers that they are from a charity, local church, selling something, then I just shout back "no thank you" and carry on with what I'm doing. No one's time wasted - theirs or mine.

I normally open the door, clock who they are as they say 'hello' and say 'hello, but I'm not signing up for anything, really not worth your time'.

Last one was at 9pm at night so I was a little less polite.

"I'm sorry, I don't have a bank account" shuts them up quick enough.

They are being paid to knock on doors. So you're only wasting your own time. Just a cheery no thanks whilst closing the door works for me.

I now don't let them even talk, years ago I said no thank you to the deaf/blind society the cheeky bugger said don't you care about the blind children So now I just close the door with a polite no thank you

I think it's kinder to cut them off quickly. I'm usually a nice person so my kids are very shocked/amused when Jehovah Witnesses knock on the door and I say "Sorry but not thank you" as soon as I clock their purpose.

I politely, but immediately, cut them off and shut the door whilst they're still talking.

What’s the point? You’ve wasted their time and yours. I just say “apologies, I’ll just stop you there - I already donate to a charity close to my heart and I’m not in a position to give any more, sorry.” And that’s that.

Im not shy, I have no problem in telling them im not interested!! It should be illegal anyway, turning up at your door trying to intimidate you into handing over bank details. I once had to call the police on a cold-caller from a charity who actually tried to force entry into my property. Luckily his (embarrassed) colleague managed to get him away but it was pretty scary

i just say "no, sorry" and close the door. I'm sure they get a lot worse than that. I always wonder they're being paid on a commission basis.

I used to give to charity more but I find charity people on high streets (chuggers) and commercialised charity door knockers really off putting. I know just give via payroll giving as that's more tax efficient for the charities.

Just don't answer the door simple.

If you are not expecting anyone/a parcel, don't answer the door. If you have a house rather than a bungalow, open an upstairs window, find out who they are, say a cheery "no thank you" and close the door and go about your day. You don't have to apologise for saying no.

I work at home some of the time and am near the front of the house so often they see me before I see them, but I have no scruples about going upstairs and refusing to open the door!

Cold callers rely on you being too polite to interrupt them. When I open the door to one as soon as they start talking I say ‘no thank you, not interested, have a nice day, goodbye’ in my best Hyacinth Bucket voice before closing the door. Sometimes they try to say ‘please don’t close the door’ or similar at the same time but I just talk over them!

Op, don’t waste any extra time while they recite their script.You can still be polite while closing the door and saying no thank you.

Omg @sisgal that's terrible!
I have seen some of their payslips and they can make a good chunk of money from cold calling and standing in the street asking people.
I heard that they get a percentage of what they sign you up for but I don't know how it works.
There's something about giving my bank account details to a man in the street who is wearing a t-shirt with a charity name on that doesn't sit right either. Just because you have a clipboard doesn't prove who you are! They must get some sign ups or else the jobs wouldn't be there.
Cutting them off and saying 'no thanks' sounds like the plan going forward!

Big smile, cheery voice "No thanks!", shut the door. Job done. No big deal. Why do people get do angsty about this?

Tell them there are a few charities you already support on a regular direct debit and could not afford to take on any more at present due to personal circumstances.

I would never sign up at the door. I always check charities online and read their policies. I am very aware that a lot of charities are actually businesses. From my last research a few years back, by law charities have to prove they are spending atleast 10% of donations on the cause. The rest can be claimed towards salaries, expenses, promotion, etc. So if your ever going to commit to a charity please research it first. Especially when you hear CEO’s and Chairman’s getting 6 figure salaries.

I hate when they begin with,
"Don't worry, I'm not selling you anything!"
(Forced laughter).
Though I feel sorry for anyone schlepping about from door to door in this weather.

Interesting question.

I have interrupted their speech by asking "If this is for a donation, I'm not in a position to...".

Sometimes I'm told no, its not for money.

Then, long speech ... yes you guessed it, asking for money at the end.

Very cynical.

I think if that happened again ... I'd take it up with the Charity Commission direct. Oh yes.

They often come later on where I live - from 7pm onwards - I just say hello, let them introduce themselves and say no thank you!

I just shut the door after they introduce themselves while saying No thankyou/I already donate to several charities

I think letting them speak is wasting their time if you know you can't be persuaded. I'd politely, firmly cut them off, say thank you and close the door.

As soon as I open the door I speak first. I ask them for an information leaflet as I don't donate on the doorstep.
If they start to look for one I cheerfully ask them to post it, say I must dash, thank them and shut the door.