We get the magazine scam every 6 months or so... always starts out with false pretenses. I'm going door to door practicing talking to people for job interviews. Then btw I'm selling subscriptions to (whatever) and need just one more to get a trip to (wherever). And btw it's money for school that I'm getting.

i don't let them get more than 3 words out of their mouths. I just say, "not interested" and close the door.

Any legit school fundraisers I know about already. I write them a check every year. End of story.

The one last night cracked me up. When I asked the zip code question he started looking through his past sales and said, "Hold on a minute, I've got it right here." Uh... too late.

They pull that crap on the blue line train all the time (I used to ride it occasionally for my old job). The ghetto rats with their (probably stolen) boxes of M&Ms would hop on at one stop, make their sales pitch to everyone on the train, then get off at the next stop before the popo could respond in time to any complaints being made to the driver or via cell phone.

The other one I used to get is the dude coming up and handing me a business card saying "I'm deaf and homeless". I always wanted to try the old Mike Brady trick on those guys once they turned around but never thought about it at the right time.

I've had this happen several times in Paris. A kid approaches and says in a perfect American accent "Excuse me, do you speak English"? Thinking it was some kid that got separated from her parents I said yes. Then I get to hear about her plight, how she's stranded here from Romania, she needs this or that. I told her "sorry", then watched as she worked the rest of the crowd. Seemed like a pretty solid hook - she got quite a lot of spare change.

The last time this happened to me, I told them that I had it on good authority that the Reverend Moon practiced bestiality...you should have seen the look of horror on those well scrubbed faces.

The kids just need some hope that they can change their lives

My standard answer to panhandlers and beggars of all varieties is "I'm sorry, I can't help you".

The reality is that wording is very deliberately chosen. . . Think about it. Maybe, just maybe one or two of them will too, but usually they just wander off - in one ear and out the other.

The complete statement (although I usually don't say this) is: "I'm sorry, I can't help you - only YOU can help you".

Yep.

They ship these kids down from Chicago and Joliet. They hit a different town every weekend. It's a scam. Poor kids.

I asked my 19 y/o and he doesn't know our zip code.

Sounds like a smart kid

I just asked my 8 year old - he knew ours, the little genius!

you should get a necklace with a tag on it with his critical information (name, address and phone number) in case he wanders off and gets lost!

Takes after his dad, I might add :p

lolo, I can't remeber my own zip code :D

I used to pan handle from to door to door, especially right before prom. However, my buddy and I had a deal -- "$20 to mow and trim your lawn, we're trying to raise money for our prom -- tickets, tux and limo :) !"

Boy did we sweat our butts off but we had cash left over to blow for the next 3 months :D
lolo, even took our calculus teacher bowling :)

LeeH,
We had the tribe in our neighborhood a few weeks ago. The pattern was similar to the year before. Saturate the area 2 or 3 times and move on. Check the bottom of your driveway/sidewalk for a fresh scratch. I have read from a pro that anyone who puts out a "NO Solicitor" sign is an easy target.

"Please sir, (small person with a red wagon) would you buy a box of Girl Scout cookies"...85327 :D

John_AZ
$40 later...