kford Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 For the second time this week we've be doorstepped by a youth selling tea towels and whatnots from a basket. Last Thursday at 9.45pm and just now. I politely said I'm not interested and, when he ignored this and tried to force his dubious ID in my face, I closed the door only to hear him reel off a tirade of abuse and peer through the frosted glass of our front door for a minute or so.They're working the roads off Lordship Lane, if you hear a knock at the door just now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narnia Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 My wife felt sorry for them and gave them ?2 without buying anything. Better they try and make a crust this way than some other ways. If you didn't see the ID how can you say it was dubious as he was obviously unsuccessful in forcing it into your face? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 i got the abuse too at 7.30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Chances are it's an organised scam... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 There was a lot of publicity about this a few years back.It's not a charity, and it's not a scheme for unemployed people.It's a scheme for someone to make a lot of money selling tat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kford Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Narnia Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> My wife felt sorry for them and gave them ?2> without buying anything. Better they try and make> a crust this way than some other ways. If you> didn't see the ID how can you say it was dubious> as he was obviously unsuccessful in forcing it> into your face?Sorry, better that young lads knock you up at 9.45pm and hawk overpriced jeyes cloths at you, then hurl abuse when you politely say you're not interested? How would you feel if you were old or on your own? Please don't encourage this behaviour. It's been covered before on here and the general consensus, surprise, surprise, is that they're dodgy.http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,11069,page=1Edited to add link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Gawd...this has been going on for years they're called "knockers" all dodgy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin68 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 they're called "knockers" all dodgyThey are certainly dodgy - but 'knockers' in my day used to be those people who offered to buy antiques from you 'take this old thing off your hands' - always dreadfully underpriced and sometimes just an excuse to gain entry and steal things. These boys are normally 'run' by someone in a van parked in a side street - they don't even get to keep the money they 'earn' for selling complete tat - so feeling sorry for them and thinking you are giving them something to be charitable isn't even a deal. It all goes back to their gang master - very often a very nasty piece of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveT Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Just say to them "someone called earlier this week so try another street". They leave saying thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 They get a little cut and you're right they're dropped off in vans in 'posh' areas/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebestnameshavegone Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Phone the police immediately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Smeeton Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Tonight's conversation (about 9:30pm) went roughly as follows:Him: I'm selling dishcloths, ?3Me: Sorry, I'm not interested, especially at this time of night. Thank you.Him: You f*** c***, what you f***ing... (and so on as the door clicks shut) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 They've knocked on my door many times and certainly for the first time at least 10 years ago, they're nothing new.The first time I did buy a couple of items but quickly reached the conclusion that the 'mark ups' were far too high. I've since been somewhat abrupt with them and barely opened my door to the young man who approached the other night. If he swore at me a really couldn't say as I returned back to what I was doing but I do think the aggressive style selling is unpleasant to say the least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Bob* Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Reg Smeeton Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> Him: You f*** c***, what you f***ing... (and so> on as the door clicks shut)Ah yes.. I had this identical response the last time this gentleman called to peddle his wares - a few months back.I can only assume that the plan is to make the exchange sufficiently unpleasant so as to encourage you to buy the next time they call - if only to avoid more of the same. F****** C****, to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratty Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BQC Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Say your day-job is a Spook. Works every time for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiesofa Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 My granny (in surrey) sometimes mentions how the charity dish cloth sellers have been round again and now I'm concerned she's being fleeced. So is it always a scam or are there some/any legit schemes? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daizie Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 When I answer the door I open my gob and shout im skint, they go no problem . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 ..presumablty after they've had a crap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin68 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 So is it always a scam or are there some/any legit schemes? Unless the charity being supported is one very well known to her (Christian Aid; Oxfam) I would assume that it's always a scam - and I don't know of any reputable charity that does this door-to-door selling. Unfortunately - having already bought she will be identified as a mark for these rogues, and will need a lot of moral courage, and support, to resist them - the effing and blinding they use is meant to be intimidatory - and it works. They often call in the dark - I would suggest her never opening the door after dark unless she can identify the person calling as legitimate - a known friend or relative - I assume she has some way of viewing caller before she opens the door - and only opening the door on a chain is also a good idea, if she is in any way uncertain.The important thing is for her to realise that only a tiny amount of what is given goes to the 'needy' caller, the rest goes to a (to all intents and purposes) criminal - since he is running a fraudulent enterprise posing as a charity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiesofa Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thanks penguin I'll call her tonight although I doubt she'll heed my words - she's too trusting of people. She lives on a road where it seems everyone is over the age of 65ish so I guess they probably do well from that road. The thought of someone doing that to my granny is making my blood boil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin68 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 sophiesofaIt may well be worth pursuing this google link and printing out some of the warnings contained here as 'evidence' for your granny that this is a known and common scam. It may help convice her.http://www.google.co.uk/webhp?hl=en&lr=#hl=en&source=hp&q=%27door-to-door+duster+salesmen%27&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB&aq=f&oq=%27door-to-door+duster+salesmen%27&fp=b4cf6fad4ba38e6b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiesofa Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 thanks again penguin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AcedOut Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I never answer the door unless I'm expecting someone. Simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpool Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Purely a scam - you could try a different tact and ask for details of the charity and its registration number so that you can take a look in your own time - plus if you then decide to donate money it will mean they get the benefit of being able to claim tax relief. Have found lately that they are becoming more persistent in their sales technique (maybe sales are down due to the recession!) and take twice as long to understand the word "no". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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