R2OK!

Blondehedgehog · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 286 Location: UK

A small word but very difficult for people to use when confronted by family, friends, cold callers at the door or on the phone, charity tin rattlers the list can go on.

Over the week end there came to light a man who was cold called to buy land. He was really conned out of a lot of money. Yes...he should have known better but some people can't just say NO.

My very elderly neighbour's family expected her to walk their dog while they went skiing. The neighbour is 81 and had just had a bad fall. She was made to feel guily because she said NO.

I have had to learn to say NO, and it has been a long learning curve. Wink

_________________
I like hedgehog crisps

Minx · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:45 pm Post subject:

Funny you should post this!

This morning three young girls came to the door, aged between 7 and 10 I would say. They were carrying a pink cushion (?), a tin box, and a child's book. The conversation went:

"Have you got any k.... children or do you like to read?" (I wasn't aware the two were mutually exclusive, by the way)
"No kids"
"Well do you like to read?"
"Yes"
"Would you like to buy a bookmark" (putting away the cushion/book and opening the tin to reveal the crappiest bookmarks you've ever seen, floppy pieces of paper with crayoned flowers on them)
"What's it in aid of?"
"Don't know what you mean"
"I mean, who gets the money if I buy anything?"
"We do" (big grin, then thinks better of it) "and we give some to our parents." (like that makes it any better!)
"How much are they?"
"20p for the small ones, 50p for the big ones."

And then I realised, as you sometimes do that this had gone past the "no" point. So I forked out 20p using some small change I wanted to get rid of. As they left I said:

"It would be better if you did this for charity you know."
"Yeah right"

And you're right, some people just can't say no!
Embarassed

_________________
Minx

To err is human, to forgive - canine.

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

I saw some figure of £27,000 for the average amount conned out of people Shocked

, so don't worry about your 20p

Minx · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

Wanna buy a bookmark Nod. ?

30p to you. For charity, you understand. Wink

_________________
Minx

To err is human, to forgive - canine.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6814

I think true friends and family only ask for favours that you can reasonably be expected to fulfil ...( and the same the other way round) at least that's the case in my experience...in the case of the elderly woman being asked to walk the dog ....that's disgraceful and her family should be ashamed of themselves... Evil or Very Mad

After years of experience I now find it quite easy to say no to cold callers....but that said I haven't had any youngsters calling lately ( like Minx) as in those circumstances I'm sure I would succumb quite quickly to their pleas... Very Happy

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I have a well rehearsed formula for getting rid of cold callers

For example for anything concerned with home improvements I tell them that I don't own the house even though I do

If they phone trying to sell me any type of service I tell them that I run a business doing exactly the same thing so why would I want to deal with them

I've even spoken to cold callers in French pretending I don't understand what they're talking about

Oh and I now never get any calls from Jehovah's Witnesses ever since they last knocked on my door and I tried to sell them life insurance Very Happy

_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?

childprufe · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 212 Location: lincolnshire

With kids at the door, you could always try the "Come inside and have some sweeties while I see what I can find for you", while squinting and dribbling........................works wonders......they don't come back, but you might get a visit from the local Community Support Officer.. Very Happy

_________________
Standing on Ray Moore's shoulders