topic Re: Has This Happened To You in Community Chat

Has This Happened To You

Jordan2 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:11:44 GMT

Yesterday my doorbell rings, it was about 5:00 pm. It was dark, I couldn’t see that well, I thought it might be a delivery, so I opened the door. It was a man and his teenage son going through a whole spiel about raising money for college. He wanted a $50 donation, which is a lot of money to give someone I have never seen. I said I couldn’t afford it. He then said my neighbor gave $25, could I give the other $25, or $10. I told him I give a lot to different charities, but I just can’t do it. I was sorry I answered the door, and also felt guilty about not giving any money. Would you give money to someone you didn’t know?

Re: Has This Happened To You

YorkieonmyPillow — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:15:45 GMT

@Jordan2 Of course not!

I wouldn't even have opened the door!

Re: Has This Happened To You

panda1234 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:15:52 GMT

NEVER, and I would not even answer the door unless I was expecting someone over.

Re: Has This Happened To You

puttypiesmom — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:16:24 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Yesterday my doorbell rings, it was about 5:00 pm. It was dark, I couldn’t see that well, I thought it might be a delivery, so I opened the door. It was a man and his teenage son going through a whole spiel about raising money for college. He wanted a $50 donation, which is a lot of money to give someone I have never seen. I said I couldn’t afford it. He then said my neighbor gave $25, could I give the other $25, or $10. I told him I give a lot to different charities, but I just can’t do it. I was sorry I answered the door, and also felt guilty about not giving any money. Would you give money to someone you didn’t know?

Whether you are married or not I would've said, my husband says no (he's standing behind the door in case they're wondering) and then shut the door because you never know who they are could be legit but maybe dangerous.

Re: Has This Happened To You

chessylady — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:20:08 GMT

I might give a dollar or two if I was in a good mood. But with a speech like that, I wouldn't give anything. The man probably wasn't his father but some scam artist who recruited him. You have nothing to apologize for. I don't open my door after dark. I also have a security door in addition to my regular door.

Re: Has This Happened To You

nana59 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:19:08 GMT

I'd call the local police......

Re: Has This Happened To You

Janey2 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:19:19 GMT

I would never open the door to someone I was not expecting.

Re: Has This Happened To You

Cakers3 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:21:56 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Yesterday my doorbell rings, it was about 5:00 pm. It was dark, I couldn’t see that well, I thought it might be a delivery, so I opened the door. It was a man and his teenage son going through a whole spiel about raising money for college. He wanted a $50 donation, which is a lot of money to give someone I have never seen. I said I couldn’t afford it. He then said my neighbor gave $25, could I give the other $25, or $10. I told him I give a lot to different charities, but I just can’t do it. I was sorry I answered the door, and also felt guilty about not giving any money. Would you give money to someone you didn’t know?

@Jordan2 Why on earth would you feel guilty?

Ask your neighbor if they really gave $25. Who leaves their door open to strangers while getting her purse, counting out the $ and handing it over?

And don't you have a light to flip on at your door?

You are lucky nothing came of this. Seriously.

Re: Has This Happened To You

sunshine45 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:25:18 GMT

have i given money to people i dont know? YES

would i answer the door to total strangers when it is dark outside? NO

Re: Has This Happened To You

ECBG — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:26:27 GMT

We open our door in good faith, not thinking. You were totally right in listening to your inner voice. Don't ever regret that. You wouldn't haver had a hesitation if you felt safe and you felt they were trustworthy.

Re: Has This Happened To You

SeaMaiden — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:28:10 GMT

I have no soliciting signs posted in several places so I no longer get beggars at my door. I use to get them prior to the signs. To answer your question, no, I would not give them anything.

Re: Has This Happened To You

suzyQ3 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:29:50 GMT

Our city prohibits such actions unless a person or organization has a permit to solicit funds. If you city does also, I seriously doubt that this man had one.

Please don't ever open the door without knowing who is on the other side.

Re: Has This Happened To You

tansy — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:39:47 GMT

I’m going to repeat what others are saying, @Jordan2,just so you know how many of us would not have answered the door under the circumstances you describe.

I have given money to people I don’t know but would not have given money to that man and his supposed son and would not feel guilty at all.

Re: Has This Happened To You

Kachina624 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:41:33 GMT

Absolutely wouldn't give a cent to such people and would have chewed them out royally for ignoring my "no soliciting" sign.

Re: Has This Happened To You

blackhole99 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:41:47 GMT

Our town does not have police protection other than the State Police that drive through our town once in a while. They indeed will respond if you call them though. I never open the door to anyone I don't know, we are too isolated where I live. No one has ever come to the door asking for money and for anyone to go knocking on doors to ask people to fund someones college is just nuts.

Re: Has This Happened To You

Desertdi — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:42:42 GMT

I put up a 6' wrought iron fence with a locking gate. My neighborhood is remote, and the highway bus doesn't even stop near here, and only runs during the day. Got tired of people ringing my doorbell.........as late as 3 a.m. "asking directions or wanting to use a phone".

Re: Has This Happened To You

GenXmuse — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:49:02 GMT

Well, the question wasn’t really would you answer your door but if you’d give money. I’d say, hey I’ve got 4 kids to put through college-I should be asking YOU! Have a great night! And it never hurts to yell “Coming” to indicate someone else is there if you’re by yourself.

I imagine the shock of being asked would make it hard to think though, huh? That was so weird.

Re: Has This Happened To You

lucymo — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:54:35 GMT

I never answer the door if I don't know who it is. Our door is always locked but I can see the porch through the blinds in another room. So, no, I don't give money to anyone who just comes to the door.

Re: Has This Happened To You

Ms tyrion2 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 01:55:09 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Absolutely wouldn't give a cent to such people and would have chewed them out royally for ignoring my "no soliciting" sign.

Well that sounds very tough and brave, but I say BS.

You aren't going to chew out two men standing at your open door, at night, while you are alone. That's just plain foolhardy.

Re: Has This Happened To You

Katcat1 — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 02:01:52 GMT

@Jordan2 Absolutely not. And, don't open the door again. There are all kinds of scams out around the holidays. Never open the door to someone you don't know. They could have a gun or knife. Better be safe than sorry. I would have never opened the door but you should not feel guilty. If people don't have money for college, they can obtain grants if they are that poor. If that wasn't a line of bull I don't know what is.