27 replies to this topic

[crossski]

Yes, I did it again - answered my door in optimistic curiosity

This one was pitching 'his' trip to England if he gets enough points by way of
getting enough money donated to your charity of choice.

After politely declining I already contribute to a couple of charities and stating to 'I'll have to pass' the individual then stated
'Oh so you don't want to help me' in a condecending tone. (was not joking)

I then shook his hand and wished him best of luck.

He then turned his head and shook it a couple times and walked away.
As he left I felt that this was not a legitimate cause or else this guy needs to certainly
pay for his OWN trip to Europe.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Did you call the Folsom PD non-emergency number to report him?

[maggiesmom]

Was this in Lex Hills? I had the creepiest, worst guy at my door last night. He was nice until I politely declined, then he was a jerk and oh so creepy! I did notify the Folsom PD.

[crossski]

Was this in Lex Hills? I had the creepiest, worst guy at my door last night. He was nice until I politely declined, then he was a jerk and oh so creepy! I did notify the Folsom PD.

nope ,
I didn't call PD. Just thought he was an entitlement minded walker..

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

nope ,
I didn't call PD. Just thought he was an entitlement minded walker..

Any time you suspect someone is soliciting for an illegitimate cause you should call the police. You could save someone from being scammed or held up. The FPD welcomes these calls.

[Steve Heard]

I really don't appreciate the guys who sell the all-purpose cleaner that they spray on everything while fast-talking and trying to convince you that you need it and it's valuable, and that they need your help.

[camay2327]

I really don't appreciate the guys who sell the all-purpose cleaner that they spray on everything while fast-talking and trying to convince you that you need it and it's valuable, and that they need your help.

Steve, I agree. Also the people that try to sell meat door to door. Can you
imagine where that meat comes from? Could be anything.

[Sandman]

Ugh... I find being short, blunt, and to the point (not rude) with these guys works best. If you get to friendly they will talk your ear off and it all goes downhill from there.

[Ahnold]

I think we encountered the same guy last night over in the Empire Ranch area; same line about a trip to Europe. he had a laminated card with some Bay Area addresses on it and his little card for magazine subscriptions but said something about how "most people decide not to subscribe, just donate cash." He claimed that he was willing to do tasks like wash cars, yardwork etc or that his mom would even donate a bottle of wine!

He also stated that he was the grandson of some neighbor - may or may not have been a fictional name, or he could have got their name from any number of sources. His closing line was that he had to get back to UC Berkeley tomorrow.

We politely passed on his request and he thanked us and he left. It all seemed very suspicious to us and, after reading all of your posts, I'm convinced it's the same guy and that we were right to not buy his line.

[FolsomBarb]

I remember many years ago when I was living in Van Nuys, and an enterprising young person knocked at my door with the same "buy my magazines so I can go to Europe" line..... I politely said no thank you, to which they replied "If it was your child selling magazines door to door, wouldn't you want the people to buy them?" To which I answered: "No, because I would never allow my child to sell ANYTHING door-to-door."

Stopped him dead in his tracks, mouth open, unable to speak....at which point I utilized the dead air space to close the door in his face.

And this is why I no longer answer my door. At all. Ever. Unless I know someone is coming to see me. I have absolutely no patience for door-to-door solicitors of any kind.

I know. I'm crotchety.

[caligirlz]

And this is why I no longer answer my door. At all. Ever. Unless I know someone is coming to see me. I have absolutely no patience for door-to-door solicitors of any kind.

I know. I'm crotchety.

I agree with you. I call it wise, not crotchety.
I also have a sign on my window that says, "no solicitors, no exceptions."

Another pet peeve along these lines is the advertisements people slip under my windshield wiper. They usually blow off my windshield on the drive home because I don't always notice that something is there. Opps, the litter now has THEIR name on it.... Something to think about for people who choose to advertise this way.

[Inwit]

I always answer the door because ya never know for sure what it might be, it could be someone needs help, it could be you just won a million bucks. I have a security door, so they still can't try to rush in, and when they start their sales pitch, I just say NO Thank you while they are talking and gently close the door. They get the message.

[jetgirl2000]

Any time you suspect someone is soliciting for an illegitimate cause you should call the police. You could save someone from being scammed or held up. The FPD welcomes these calls.

I have been told the Police really dont welcome these calls, they have real crime to look for, but they did say if the solicitor does not have a permit with the city they can tell them to stop. If they have a city permit then there is nothing the police can do!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I have been told the Police really dont welcome these calls, they have real crime to look for, but they did say if the solicitor does not have a permit with the city they can tell them to stop. If they have a city permit then there is nothing the police can do!

The VAST majority of solicitors do not have permits from the city, which is part of the reason FPD encourages you to call them. Certainly if someone is suspicious you should call the police. I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but I've been told this repeatedly as part of the city's Neighborhood Watch program. There are people who pose as solicitors who canvass homes for break-ins in addition to scamming folks.

[Gina99]

This is an old scam that is often pitched as a college trip. Yes call the police next time.