Charity doorsteppers

[MidnightPatrol]

We have recently started getting a different charity ‘doorstepper’ every couple of weeks.

They have a vest so you can see what charity they’re from - they want you to sign up for a direct debit.

I’m a bit frustrated by them, namely because:

• they are constantly knocking on my door in the evening. Often around bed time which is of course disruptive with trying to put children to bed (7-8). One more than one occasion they’ve knocked between 9-10 (!)

• they won’t take no for an answer and keep coming back. One came back every night in a week before I had to threaten to report them.

This seems like an awful fundraising strategy and TBH has really put me off the charities they are fundraising for.

Yanbu we seem to have them on a rota in my area, I put a sign on my door stating no salesmen or religious groups and they mainly seem to leave me alone now.

I think you're right OP. I worked in a budget hotel in a nice location from 2007-9. Back then a double room cost £90, now it's about £150 and charities would regularly pit up a large group costing about £1500. I wondered if the people donating knew.

I use the give well website to choose charities for my injerests and don't answer the door but I know that's hard with kids inside clamouring

You need to be decisive and assertive in a polite way

I tell them. "Hello... sorry but we never donate on a doorstep and have charties we chose and contribute to and I'll keep you guys in mind when I find you on the net, keep up the good work, bye"

Or put a stick up - NO COLD CAALLERS

That is one of the massive problems with almost every charity IE

How much of every pound you give goes to a good cause? Some charities
expenses are over 80p in the pound - you've been warned - NB cant recall the exact amount but it was o the news a couple of years ago

Found this tells you re percentages, - its old - just google charties and what percentages go to good causes

https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/how-much-charities-spend-good-causes

Givewell is also a great website

Get a no cold caller sign.

Are you one hundred percent sure it is someone on behalf of a charity? There are lots of scams out there pretending to be something they are not and rely on you being distracted (dinner time) or being uncomfortable (late at night).

Are you completely sure you know the bank DD details of that charity or are you relying on them being truthful and honest? All it takes is being one digit out.

Think it through...

Really? Or did you hear the news about GOSH and thought you'd see what experiences people had? A charity that keeps coming back after you'd said no? I don't believe it.