do you buy things from kids coming to your door?( small rant)

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by lulugirl
I very rarely buy anything that someone is selling door to door (child or adult). I just don't like being bothered at home and usually they are selling something that is useless to me.

I agree. I never feel obliged to answer my door if it someone I don't know. I detest door to door sales. I also don't like being accosted at the grocery store or at malls with kids trying to sell stuff either.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I ONLY buy from friends kids or the neighbor kids that I know.

 

[disykat]

Originally posted by snoopy
However, with my own children, I just write the school a check. I can't be bothered with fundraisers. They hate me at PTA.

What? The PTA probably LOVES you!!! We have an annual fundraiser sale every year because people love to sell crap, but refuse to make donations. We LOVE the people that just write the checks, because we don't have to juggle their merchandise. I've run the fundraiser for several years and I just write a check. When I send out the info I make sure people know that if they give a donation we get 100% of the money, if they buy something we get 50%. I'm amazed at the person who said their school does well with the donation only fundraiser, because in my experience it doesn't work well at all in our area - even though that would be my personal preference.

I do not buy from kids I don't know, but I do buy from kids I know. Strange children should not be coming to my door.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I work in a restaurant in town and it's amazing how many school kids come in and ask the workers to buy stuff from them. I never buy anything from them. I work there to make money to pay my bills, not buy some trinket/food item I don't need/want from a bazillion kids I don't know.

I always buy from my grandchildren, but I don't buy from co-workers who are selling stuff for their kids. I don't ask them to buy from my grandchildren either.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Yes, I do, usually.

But I don't buy from the high school/college age "magazine subscription" people.

However, I don't let my kids go door-to-door, even to neighbors houses that we know.

Usually, I just make a donation to the fundraising cause for DS's school.

I don't like selling, even to family.

So, I just send $50 or so.

 

[spearenb]

As my daughter just entered Kindergarden at a private school, we were notified of all of the fundraisers that will be going on this year. Two of the options were for us to buy 'script' from companies and for a 'return' card (lack of a better name). Both of these, in my mind, are the superior ways of fundraising.

The script works because the HA buys it for 85 cents (or some amount) on the dollar. They then turn around and sell the script to parents or others for full amount. The difference is the fundraising profit. The script companies include Domino's Pizza, Krogers, Office Depot, to name a few.

The return card works because we purchase the card for $5 and have it scanned at the store it is good for. The store, in turn, makes a percentage donation to the school. I'm not sure where the $5 actually goes to but I am sure that my interested party gets a sizeable donation.

Anyhoo, I try to buy from door-to-door children that I know because I think it shows them that a little bit of hard work will profit them. If I don't know the children, too bad.

Also, around here, I will not give donations to any organization that begs for it. Whether they are crossing traffic at stop lights or if they are in their uniform begging in front of the local Wal-Mart. I don't see begging as a valuable trait to learn.

 

[Amberle3]

I don't buy from anyone selling door to door, with 2 exceptions: the Crimestoppers yearly calendar, and those addictive chocolate mint girlguide cookies. I'd love to say no to the cookies, and I've tried, but I just can't.

I just don't like the idea of sending kids basically begging from door to door. I know they're selling stuff to benefit their schools or organizations, but honestly you should see the kids that come to my door. I have yet to see one happy, smiling, or enthusiastic kid. All of them, and yes I mean all of them, look like something the cat dragged in. It is so evident to see that they hate doing it. Does this make me feel sorry for them? Yes. Does it make me want to buy from them? No. It makes me want to call the school and tell them to find some other means of fundraising.

Now, I live in a nice city, and in a nice neighborhood in that city. I have never once seen a parent along with these kids who are sent door to door, alone. In my nice neighborhood, in my nice city, there was a guy a few years ago who was flashing young women and I believe grabbed at one or two. And these kids were still being sent out alone, door to door. It's just not safe.

Oh, and there was also a scam a few years back with some kids who had a bunch of chocolate from somewhere that they were selling door to door saying it was for charity, but it wasn't.

I also don't like the kids that are made to stand begging at the grocery stores. These are usually sports teams, and they're not selling anything, just begging for donations. Last ones I saw there was a little girl - maybe 7 - in tears because she was tired and wanted to go home, but hadn't raised enough money yet. Her mother was telling her to be aggressive and stand in front of people as they were walking out of the store and ask for donations.

I have made donations to schools and other charities, I have purchased from coworkers when it was something I could use, but I just don't buy from anyone going door to door.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Wow, I am surprised that so many people feel obligated to buy from kids who are selling door-to-door! I have to admit (with a bit of shame, after reading the OP) that I never buy anything at my door or on the phone, from kids or from anyone else. My parents never bought anything at the door (and never allowed us to sell door-to-door) so I guess the idea just seems strange to me. We watch our budget each month and there are so many kids and adults who sell things in our neighborhood there is just no way all those unplanned $10- or $20 items would fit in.