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Hawkers

(10 Posts)
NfkDumpling Mon 08-Dec-14 18:13:45

I've seen the 'Licensed Hawker' supposed ID before. Considering we live in a town we rarely get hawkers, not even yearly (lots of charity people though) but a previous caller had the same crumpled card. I remember it because that's all it said on it 'Licensed Hawker' and I remember thinking it looked home made. I think I may call Trading Standards tomorrow.

soontobe Mon 08-Dec-14 17:23:56

YOu could ask your neighbours if they have seen a van or the man.
Are trading standards interested in this sort of thing? Or another Government agency?

Liz46 Mon 08-Dec-14 17:22:17

I felt sorry for a young man once and bought some dusters etc. It was all overpriced rubbish and I haven't bought anything since.

I now have a notice on the front door saying 'No cold callers. Thank you' and it works.

soontobe Mon 08-Dec-14 17:21:43

Tricky. My guess is he will get a knockback from lots of others too.
So if I had time to think about it[which you dont if you suddenly get a knock at the door], I would have given him £5 or £10 for something, and hoped he didnt return.

I wouldnt have thought anyone earns a very good living that way.

We havent seen one for years, but we live very out of the way.

NfkDumpling Mon 08-Dec-14 17:21:03

I must admit I didn't like him. I didn't his aggressive attitude. I did wonder where he came from, the van dropping a group off sounds quite likely.

chloe1984 Mon 08-Dec-14 17:17:10

When I was out last week my very tender hearted DH spent £20 buying stuff we don't need from a doorknocker such as you describe. I did try and remonstrate with him but he said he felt sorry for him - just hoping they don't spread the word to tell their colleagues we are an easy touch.

annsixty Mon 08-Dec-14 17:15:30

The goods they are offering are grossly overpriced and I have seen a group of them being dropped off from the back of a transit van and setting off in different directions.

kittylester Mon 08-Dec-14 17:14:22

I don't think you should give them money Nfk but, if you feel like it buy something. We had our 'usual' one yesterday and I bought some screen cleaner from him. He has been turning up on a fairly regular basis for years so I do buy from him. Other ones, I turn away.

NfkDumpling Mon 08-Dec-14 17:12:23

Waiving? I meant waving!

NfkDumpling Mon 08-Dec-14 17:11:40

I'm feeling really guilty. I just turned away a chap who banged on the door probably selling dusters or something. He went on and on about trying to get a job and how hard it was, waiving a crumpled card saying he was a licenced hawker - but I really didn't want to buy anything. I felt I should give him money, but my purse was upstairs, I didn't want to invite him in or leave him standing on the step - and I know I only have a twenty pound note and a few coppers anyway. He went off into the dark and cold muttering about mean people and he'd earn more selling drugs. And I feel really guilty.
We don't get hawkers around here - it's a bit like tipping. I don't know what the accepted or reasonable to give. If I had given him money - how much?