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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have reported doorstep seller

140 replies

Persilorariel · 19/01/2021 16:57

Just had an illegal doorstep seller peddling dusters ring my doorbell.
No mask, trying to show me things in his bag. This annoys me at the best of times, but now? Cases are really high, wasn’t very happy at being told to move on.

AIBU to report this peddler without a licence to the local police? I’ve already done it via an online form, but I’m not being too harsh am I? I can just image someone vulnerable rummaging in his bag and having a nice chat.

Note - I’m well aware of the colloquial NN name for these people, don’t want to offend any Nottingham people.

OP posts:
FloorLamp · 19/01/2021 17:11

Wow that's a throwback. I remember they used to come to the door back in the 80s when I was a kid. I didn't realise it was still a thing!

dadshere · 19/01/2021 17:16

Report. Most of them are conmen, selling shoddy junk to see if there are people home who a) have cash at home and b) may be vulnerable. They are usually scum of the earth, often with a BS sob story about raising money for disabled kids/just out of prison/ex-army etc

Original poster
PersilOrAriel · 19/01/2021 17:30

Forgot to say, had the sob story about having to leave the army with PTSD.

Cash in the house? I haven’t used cash since March anyway. We played a game at Christmas with the kids and used some coppers as counters. The smell and feeling of them on my hands was rank, I’d completely forgotten what it was like to handle coins and realised I don’t miss them at all.

OP posts:
Iknowwhatudidlastsummer · 19/01/2021 17:39

The Nottingham Knockers are a famous scam, of course report!

AbbieLexie · 19/01/2021 17:40

I reported to the non emergency police number. It transpired there were several of them and they had been dropped off by a mini bus which was parked in the area. The real purpose was to establish which houses were able to be burgled.

mumwon · 19/01/2021 17:42

our county police have stated this needs reporting for 2 reasons
they are con men
but most of all its covid & it is dangerous & illegal to do this

GypsyLee · 19/01/2021 17:45

@PersilOrAriel

Forgot to say, had the sob story about having to leave the army with PTSD.

Cash in the house? I haven’t used cash since March anyway. We played a game at Christmas with the kids and used some coppers as counters. The smell and feeling of them on my hands was rank, I’d completely forgotten what it was like to handle coins and realised I don’t miss them at all.

Yes, those leaving the Army quite often have PTSD, poor lads. Many end uo homeless, but some are supported to do door to door selling as a sense of achievement and belonging.

You sound lovely.
There again you'd probably see my name on here and think similarly of me.

Hoppinggreen · 19/01/2021 17:47

It’s rubbish and a scam, probably had never even been in The Army.
If anyone genuinely wants to help ex forces with PTSD support Help For Heros.

Hotzenplotz · 19/01/2021 17:50

Was he selling pegs too and did he call you Dave?

roses2 · 19/01/2021 17:54

I'm in London - we still get them regularly. Had one around 2 months ago trying to sell us overpriced jcloths. Apparently he just got out of jail & was trying to make a living...

CrappingMyself · 19/01/2021 19:14

but some are supported to do door to door selling as a sense of achievement and belonging.

@GypsyLee They really aren't. It's a well known con.

The story I was given was ex-offender. I contacted my local prison service and they knew nothing about it and said they do not support ex-offenders in this way, nor do they know of any other council areas that do. I guess the bit that really gets me is the fact there are some very vulnerable people out there that fall for this and are then exploited and become victims of this scam. My nan was one.

And let's not forget, there is a pandemic and NO-ONE should be going out door-to-door like this.

Whatsmyusername30 · 19/01/2021 19:17

I would have reported too. Never experienced this myself where I live but a grandparent of mine had a scary experience. They got verbally abuse when they said no thank you add covid to it now. They should absolutely not be doing this.

AdobeWanKenobi · 19/01/2021 19:33

@CrappingMyself

but some are supported to do door to door selling as a sense of achievement and belonging.

@GypsyLee They really aren't. It's a well known con.

The story I was given was ex-offender. I contacted my local prison service and they knew nothing about it and said they do not support ex-offenders in this way, nor do they know of any other council areas that do. I guess the bit that really gets me is the fact there are some very vulnerable people out there that fall for this and are then exploited and become victims of this scam. My nan was one.

And let's not forget, there is a pandemic and NO-ONE should be going out door-to-door like this.

Absolutely. AFAIK there are no supported door to door selling schemes for PTSD survivors, convicts or otherwise in England. They absolutely should be reported on the none emergency number.

Trying to flog B&M dusters at 5x the price in a pandemic alone should be reported.

Slub · 19/01/2021 19:34

About the only positive about this pandemic has been no door to door professional pester people. No way should this be going on and definitely needs reporting OP

Puzzledandpissedoff · 19/01/2021 19:37

AIBU to report this peddler without a licence to the local police?

The police will probably know him already, but no harm in reporting - it's often useful for them to know the areas they're targeting in case it's followed by a rash of burglaries

MissConductUS · 19/01/2021 19:38

Where I live in the US selling door to door requires registration with the local police. That put a stop to it.

You did the right thing by reporting it.

1Morewineplease · 19/01/2021 19:50

@roses2

I'm in London - we still get them regularly. Had one around 2 months ago trying to sell us overpriced jcloths. Apparently he just got out of jail & was trying to make a living...
Yes.. the ex-offenders selling overpriced J-cloths has been going on for a long time. It's a con.
megletthesecond · 19/01/2021 19:52

Yanbu.
I had a bloke trying to sell me a set of knives a couple of years ago. I shit you not. Firmly said no to him and was on to 111 seconds later.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 19/01/2021 19:57

A sob story. What a disgusting comment. !!!!!!!!!!!!Angry. This is someone who has fought for this Country and risked his life...
Poor bloke was just trying to make some money. Well I hope you’re happy and pleased with yourself if ends up going further down hill.

Slub · 19/01/2021 19:59

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

A sob story. What a disgusting comment. !!!!!!!!!!!!Angry. This is someone who has fought for this Country and risked his life... Poor bloke was just trying to make some money. Well I hope you’re happy and pleased with yourself if ends up going further down hill.
Are you joking.? It's a well known con by organised gangs. Catch on to yourself love.
Hoppinggreen · 19/01/2021 20:16

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

A sob story. What a disgusting comment. !!!!!!!!!!!!Angry. This is someone who has fought for this Country and risked his life... Poor bloke was just trying to make some money. Well I hope you’re happy and pleased with yourself if ends up going further down hill.
Very unlikely
littlepattilou · 19/01/2021 20:16

@Persilorariel

YANBU, but who are you going to report it to? Did you get him on CCTV?

If it was a scam, the name of his 'company' will be fake. (And as a few people have said, this is very likely a scam.)

Now this is why I don't answer the door if I don't recognise the person there, and I am not expecting a package.

Yeah, that's what I said, and IDGAF what anyone thinks. It's my choice, and my right to not answer the door if I don't want to. Grin

Sinful8 · 19/01/2021 20:19

@Persilorariel

Just had an illegal doorstep seller peddling dusters ring my doorbell. No mask, trying to show me things in his bag. This annoys me at the best of times, but now? Cases are really high, wasn’t very happy at being told to move on.

AIBU to report this peddler without a licence to the local police? I’ve already done it via an online form, but I’m not being too harsh am I? I can just image someone vulnerable rummaging in his bag and having a nice chat.

Note - I’m well aware of the colloquial NN name for these people, don’t want to offend any Nottingham people.

Do you report the jokless for vagrancy too?
Iknowwhatudidlastsummer · 19/01/2021 20:19

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

A sob story. What a disgusting comment. !!!!!!!!!!!!Angry. This is someone who has fought for this Country and risked his life... Poor bloke was just trying to make some money. Well I hope you’re happy and pleased with yourself if ends up going further down hill.
so the scam is STILL working on some people.

Please keep your money or send it to genuine associations helping people who really need it.

Original poster
PersilOrAriel · 19/01/2021 20:20

I reported on my local constabulary reporting form. And yes, it’s all recorded on my Ring doorbell.

OP posts: