Cold Callers

[Michael1954]

Now I'm all for charity (for personal reasons I support the Stroke Association, Age UK, and the British Heart Foundation), but I am becoming increasingly annoyed at cold callers knocking on my door, asking for donations to charities that they support. At first, I would politely explain that I support the above charities and reserved my money exclusively for them, but on a few occasions I have been met by funny looks as though I was being mean by not handing over any money. Nowadays, my response is I don't deal with cold callers, the same response I give to cold calling salesmen etc. I always think that charity is a personal thing; after all there are thousands of charities, and you can't donate to them all. Am I being mean?

[dotti34]

No, you are not being mean, Michael. I know the feeling both with collectors for charities and also salespeople coming to the door and being a real nuisance. Sometimes they can be quite rude if you refuse to hear them out. However, here in South Australia the Government has issued stickers to place on our doors that say:

DO NOT KNOCK
No Sales People
Door knocking here is unlawful

Tell you what, they do the trick. I have had people walk right up to the door, read this notice and they can’t get away fast enough! Not sure re charity collectors, though we haven’t had any since we put the sticker on the door. Salespeople know that if they still knock they can be prosecuted. Don’t know if you have anything like this over in the U.K.

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by Michael1954

Am I being mean?

Not in the least Mike, as you say charity donations are a personal thing & if people pressure you to donate to something their hawking it tends to make me more determined not to give to them.

[maxthecollie]

We have had the R.S.P.C.A round last week. They saw Max and there opening line was "We see you are pet lovers" and then proceeded to ask us to sponsor an animal. We do support charities but on a pension there is only so many you can afford.

[cashman]

Sod Off seems to be pretty effective wi cold callers.

[Turtle]

You're not being mean at all, Michael. And I too am irritated by the type of 'sales pitch' that you experienced, Frank. I also believe that what charities I choose to give to, how much and when, is my business, and for that reason I don't give anything to cold callers. I don't even answer the door at night - I wish we had such a law here in Canada, dotti!)
Over here it seems that every store you go in has some sort of scheme to guilt you into adding a few dollars to your bill, claiming it's for such-and-such a charity. I do give in this way, although I resent being 'guilted' into it (self conscious saying no in front of strangers) but it gets a bit tiresome.

[cashman]

I just walk briskly past them in stores turtle, we donate to stuff of our choice, no-one can intimidate me.in fact occasionlly i pretend to be on me mobile when passing em.

[Barrie Yates]

Originally Posted by cashman

Sod Off seems to be pretty effective wi cold callers.

Didn't realise just how genteel you are

[Barrie Yates]

The chuggers for Battersea Dog's Home in Tesco amused me - but don't think my response when I was approached was appreciated.

[Hill Walker]

Cold Call = Cold Shoulder, in person, at door or on phone.