Solicitors EVERYWHERE

[jewelshouse]

I know with this economy the charities need to step it up a bit but this is getting ridiclious. I was pumping gas today and had a guy approach me telling me this church helps battered women etc and then asked if I could help them out. I told him no I couldn't, then pointed to the gas pump and said this is killing me.

It's bad enough everytime I walk in Walmart there is someone at each door requesting donations for something, and every weekend there is a group asking for money at the intersection I always have to drive thru but to come up to me while I am pumping gas OMG.

Is it just me or does this irritate anyone else.

 

[happily single]

I never trust anybody that just approaches me, or that is standing in an intersection collecting money. I do give change to the cheerleaders standing outside the market and any older person with candy .

I've often thought about just standing outside Stop & Shop with a change can and my three kids asking for funds

 

[HelenePA]

I hate going to walmart because people are ALWAYS at the door. I've learned to go later in the evening now. I also NEVER answer unknown callers. They are usually people looking for donations too. Yes I am on the DNC list but nonprofit groups are exempt (ie police, fire, special olympics, ect ect) I don't mind giving but I really hate being asked over and over and over again.

 

[jewelshouse]

I never trust anybody that just approaches me, or that is standing in an intersection collecting money. I do give change to the cheerleaders standing outside the market and any older person with candy .

I've often thought about just standing outside Stop & Shop with a change can and my three kids asking for funds

Oh a new idea to fund our Disney trip. Stand outside of WalMart with my dd in her princess dress asking for donations for our trip!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I had a cousin that went door to door collecting for the local police years ago (he was not a cop) and he told us that he turned in less than half of what he collected!! I would NEVER donate to anyone that came to my door, or that called, just ain't safe anymore!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

This is a very frustrating topic. I have a sign on my front door that says no solicitors. I have 2 large Labrador Retrievers and a 4 yr old. I don't have time to stand at the door trying to keep them inside. Plus it seems as though everyone is knocking on doors. I don't mind helping people/organizations out but what happened to the days when you ran or walked for charity, etc. I remember doing jump-rope-a-thons and dance-a-thons. Now people just show up at your door and ask for money. That is a real turn off and makes me less likely to donate.

 

[Taja]

I've complained for many years about the number of charities that are permitted to set up camp and accost shoppers at every grocery, discount and department store as well as the malls. I've never been fond of shopping, but constantly refusing to contribute to undocumented causes--and having to explain myself--makes it even worse.

I've learned to completely avoid eye contact with these people--and it usually works. If pushed, I'll tell them that I contribute only by mail after I've reviewed the appropriate documentation at my convenience. It seems to work well.

And that is exactly what I do. I support several organizations through voluntary contributions, but I do my homework first--at my convenience! *LOL*

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't give any excuses, I just say no thank you.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[mickeyvixie]

I just tell them I dont carry cash on me. Well it's the truth, love my debit/credit card. I have had a few be insistant that I MUST have some change at least....OK, do you have a charge card machine handy? Usually stupifies them long enuf for me to get away.

 

[LovinPooh]

I hate it when there are groups outside of WalMart. Girl Scout cookies are okay though .
When I see people at the door, I try to walk on the other side of other people, so they get harrassed and I just sneak on into WalMart. Same on the way out.
I mean really... if I wanted to donate, I would... now leave me alone!!!

I had an encyclopedia salesman come to my door a few weeks ago. Said he was from Nebraska trying to earn money for a trip. I was like, geez, isnt NH enough of a trip from Nebraska? And if I need to look something up, I'll google itn

 

[ColleenG]

I had a cousin that went door to door collecting for the local police years ago (he was not a cop) and he told us that he turned in less than half of what he collected!! I would NEVER donate to anyone that came to my door, or that called, just ain't safe anymore!

I agree. If someone walked up to me looking for a donation my first asumption would be that they are just pocketing the money. Sounds like the guy was try to pull a fast one using domestic violence as way to get more money or just sound legitamate. I don't gibe donations unless I know for sure where the money is going.

 

[dreamin_disney]

yes, it;'s getting worse. I work for a school so being on a track sysytem i get a few weeks at a time off for vacation throughout the year. I had DF put a security door up, so when i do open the door I'm safe. It has a lock and deadbolt too.I kid you not we would get someone trying to sell something daily. Sometimes we would get 2-3 per day. DD(9) learned real quick when people knocked on the door we would just stay quiet. The phone was another story we would get several calls per day. Thank goodness for caller I.D.

BTW- funny thing people cant see inside through the security door but i can see out. Some have a hardtime concnetrating cause they cant see who they are talking to. When they want to leave cards i tell them leave it on the door. There was one cop invesigating my neighbor and i told him to leave his card on the door too. Think i shocked him. I dont open the door for anybody. why? it wont be hard to push me to the side and get in. I get on df about opening the door. He thinks he can handle it. I remind him he will lose against a gun or knife .

 

[ColleenG]

Dreamin' Disney-- Check with your town hall. Our town requires you to have a permit to solicit door to door. We don't really ever get anyone unless it's the neighborhood kids doing a fund raiser for school or scouts. Once we got someone and my DH asked to see their permit and when they couldn't produce it they left and DH called the police, who were able to pick the person up. Turned out to be harmless in the end, but in today's world you just don't ever know.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Dreamin' Disney-- Check with your town hall. Our town requires you to have a permit to solicit door to door. We don't really ever get anyone unless it's the neighborhood kids doing a fund raiser for school or scouts. Once we got someone and my DH asked to see their permit and when they couldn't produce it they left and DH called the police, who were able to pick the person up. Turned out to be harmless in the end, but in today's world you just don't ever know.

we get people selling food coupons(resturants) religious people, new window installers(we have the older non energy suff. ones), kids through the church that ask you to do a trade of what they have once it was a cord phone or they asked to donate something , man selling larges pieces of meat in a truck fridge, candy etc. i dont bother opening the door anymore. usually they come between 10am-3pm and a few after dark

 

[In a hurry]

yes, it;'s getting worse. I work for a school so being on a track sysytem i get a few weeks at a time off for vacation throughout the year. I had DF put a security door up, so when i do open the door I'm safe. It has a lock and deadbolt too.I kid you not we would get someone trying to sell something daily. Sometimes we would get 2-3 per day. DD(9) learned real quick when people knocked on the door we would just stay quiet. The phone was another story we would get several calls per day. Thank goodness for caller I.D.

BTW- funny thing people cant see inside through the security door but i can see out. Some have a hardtime concnetrating cause they cant see who they are talking to. When they want to leave cards i tell them leave it on the door. There was one cop invesigating my neighbor and i told him to leave his card on the door too. Think i shocked him. I dont open the door for anybody. why? it wont be hard to push me to the side and get in. I get on df about opening the door. He thinks he can handle it. I remind him he will lose against a gun or knife .

Do you live in a high risk area, or are you just paranoid? Your reaction seems a bit extreme.

As far as the folks collecting at the stores, I just smile and say "no thank you." I could care less if the Girl Scouts, Mission trips, 4-Her's or whatever are there.