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AIBU?

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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:
LolaSmiles · 19/01/2021 20:20

AFAIK there are no supported door to door selling schemes for PTSD survivors, convicts or otherwise in England.
I'm not aware of any either and yet there was a period of time where there were loads in our area. Apparently they were ex offenders and they were quick to try and show their 'ID'.
It made me worry for those who are vulnerable who might think the seller's willingness to show ID must make them genuine.

Sinful8 · 19/01/2021 20:20

@megletthesecond

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.
This really isn't the shocking event you think it js
Theunamedcat · 19/01/2021 20:23

They used to pretend to be deaf mute when I was younger as a young adult chap came to the door gurning and gesturing at his ears (we did find out he was faking it later on) i said no tried to shut the door and he pushed the door put his foot in the door grunting at me my dog got through at this point and began barking so he fled flipping me off the police later said he was known for this a complete fraud and he was back inside before the year was out aggravated burglary

I never give them the time of day as an adult

SmellyPooHead · 19/01/2021 20:25

@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.
Oh for God's sake, give over They have no respect for our armed forces to use them as an excuse to scam people and break the lock down guidelines
AdobeWanKenobi · 19/01/2021 20:27

@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.
The nearest that bloke has come to fighting for his country is scrapping with some other poor sod at kicking out time down the Kings Head.

Are you always this gullible?

VenusClapTrap · 19/01/2021 20:28

We had one round the other day, which surprised me, what with Covid. I had no idea this was a con - I used to buy things from them because I thought the ex offender thing was genuine. They were always very polite and grateful. But I stopped a while ago because the goods were just such absolute rubbish. I won’t feel so guilty about it now I know they are dodgy!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 19/01/2021 20:29

We get them 2-3 times a year and every single time they are followed by car thefts and house break ins. Meanwhile other times of year zero crime. The coincidence is too great for me. Plus they are incredibly aggressive if you refuse to buy.

Kottbullar · 19/01/2021 20:30

The best tea towels I ever had came from one of those door to door guys, he said he was deaf I think.
Anyway I was very young and knackered in the middle of bfing newborn DC1 and just wanted to get back to the sofa. DH gave me an earful when I told him but even he agreed they were quality tea towels.

CrappyNewYear2021 · 19/01/2021 20:34

Our police force warned us they were in the area. So I guess they are not that legit!

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 19/01/2021 20:36

My vulnerable mother had one at her door selling crap which they had bought from poundland. A 3 pack of reusable hankies, tv screen cleaning spray, 3 other pieces of crap...5 things in total and they charged her £10 per item. £50 in total. I was livid. They are utter scum.

AdobeWanKenobi · 19/01/2021 20:38

@Kottbullar

The best tea towels I ever had came from one of those door to door guys, he said he was deaf I think. Anyway I was very young and knackered in the middle of bfing newborn DC1 and just wanted to get back to the sofa. DH gave me an earful when I told him but even he agreed they were quality tea towels.
Famed story locally, probably untrue, of the person who shouted after the 'deaf' knocker "You've dropped a fiver", to which he spun around and had a look...
whereismormonjesus · 19/01/2021 20:40

Report report report.

It’s rude, dangerous and not allowed.

Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses have suspended doorknocking and are posting letters instead.

rosierose10 · 19/01/2021 20:42

We had one at the door sometime last month, DP answered, was given the sob story or ex offender wanting to join the army or something like that.. DP is too soft unlike me and felt sorry for him so bought a shitty duster, I went mad at him. I didn't realise this was such a common thing. Haven't had any since so I hope they don't come back.

DimidDavilby · 19/01/2021 20:43

Even our persistant local JoHos have resorted to (handwritten Envy) letters. Noone has any buisness knocking on people's doors in a pandemic.

Calmandmeasured1 · 19/01/2021 20:44

Definitely report.

Glenorma · 19/01/2021 20:50

If anyone genuinely wants to help ex forces with PTSD support Help For Heros
I’ve had door knockers claiming to work for Help For Heroes. Disgraceful! I actually have done a lot of work with H4H; the knockers were unable to answer questions about the local facilities they claimed to have come from. When I got my phone out to ring the people in charge at H4H they didn’t know how fast to scarper.

SnackSizeRaisin · 19/01/2021 20:51

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.

Supported by whom? Door to door selling is illegal so you should report whoever is"supporting" them too.

In our area there are a lot of elderly people and we get plenty of these door to door scammers. We are encouraged to report them all to the police who immediately come out to deter them. By supporting these people you may think you are being nice by spending a quid on a tea towel, but all you are doing is enabling them to prey on the vulnerable.

whereismormonjesus · 19/01/2021 20:54

@DimidDavilby

We’ve had a load of JW letters. I know what you mean about handwritten...erghhhh

Glenorma · 19/01/2021 20:54

some are supported to do door to door selling as a sense of achievement and belonging
This is absolutely not true. I’ve done a lot of work with charities supporting ex-servicemen, they do a number of activities to promote a sense of achievement but doorstep sales is not one of them. Mostly because it’s illegal.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 19/01/2021 21:02

They used to pretend to be deaf mute when I was younger

Some round here still do
Funny how they discover they can speak once you refuse them - although if you leave out the obscenities it doesn't amount to a lot

PinkFlamingo888 · 19/01/2021 21:07

The reason for the products being overpriced is so you need to pay with notes rather than change. They want to see if you keep money in the house and if you do whether it’s a crisp tenner, likely from a neat pile somewhere, or a couple of screwed up fivers. They also want to see what security you have on your house and where you pop off to to retrieve your cash.
Do not buy from them. Warn your neighbours not to either. Report that they’ve been round to the police. A spate of doorstep sellers is almost always followed by a spate of burglaries, depending on the audience they receive.

Glenorma · 19/01/2021 21:22

They want to see if you keep money in the house
Also do you have a dog worth stealing, are you daft enough to actually buy from them and therefore easy to con, do you leave the door open and walk away, what security do you have, etc. I guarantee if you buy something you’ll be marked as an easy target and they’ll be back for a bigger payday.

Derekhello · 19/01/2021 21:29

@Hotzenplotz

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

😂🤣

Mollymalone123 · 19/01/2021 22:55

We have them every year.luckily we always post on the local fb page,it's really not about you buying from them and more to do with scoping out a property or seeing if the person is vulnerable and would make a good target.they get dropped off in a van and split up to cover an area, a couple of weeks to by and then there will be a spate of thefts in that area

Always report it

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/01/2021 10:31

this peddler without a licence

Pedlars don't need a licence, they need a certificate. They're easily obtainable from the local police station for £12.50/year.

Did you ask to see the certificate?

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