So tired of being sold to...

[hunniebun]

As a working mom, with kids in a variety of activities, I am getting completely burnt out of being sold too.  This is the list of things that people have tried to sell me just in the past week!  Jamberry (fingernail decorations), Norwex, Avon, MaryKay, Arbonne, Pamper Chef, a jewelery company and some eyelash extension product.  Add on top of that the endless requests for fun raising (50/50 tickets, grey cup tickets, raffle tickets, selling everything from honey and chocolate bars to coupon books) and I am just burnt out.  Maybe it is just now that I am really hoarding my pennies that I am noticing this.  But I feel like I need a T-shirt that "I am not buying whatever you are selling today."    I completely understand that many of the people doing the selling are trying to build their business so they can either stay at home with kids or work part time or maybe even hustle to FIRE early...it just feels like a constant deluge this week!  It seems like every casual conversation with someone eventually leads to...'did you know I sell XYZ on the side? Are you interested in buying/booking a party/looking at a catalogue?".   Anyone else have this issue?

[UnleashHell]

  But I feel like I need a T-shirt that "I am not buying whatever you are selling today."   

I can sell you one of them!!! :D

[hunniebun]

  But I feel like I need a T-shirt that "I am not buying whatever you are selling today."   

I can sell you one of them!!! :D

LMAO!!!  Thanks...but I can make one with an old t-shirt and a sharpie marker!!! LOL!

[Shade00]

There was a pretty good thread a while back discussing the potential for "multi-level marketing" as a side-business to earn extra money in retirement. These schemes rarely do anything but alienate friends and family. It is good that you are able to turn these folks away. Don't fall into the trap of thinking these things will make you rich too.

[Left]

I like going to the malls to walk around/people watch once in a while. I can't even get anyone to sell me anything when I'm alone except when I go up to them and ask what they are selling :S When I walk around the mall, people generally ignore me unless I'm with a women friend, then they try to sell her something and get me to agree it looks nice on her.

And no, I don't look like I'm homeless either, maybe I growl at them unconsciously? I don't think I smell either nor do I look drunk. Though I can pull of a crazed look.

Though my personal skills probably need to be worked on, when a salesman comes up to me and ask if I need help, I just say no and say if I need help, I'll find someone. Then I just stare at them until they leave.

Even the door to door people skip my house now after I insisted really hard that they come in so we can sit down and before talking over their pamphlet.

BTW, wth is marykay? I get that it is cosmetics, but how is it worth selling as a multi-level gig when you can buy the same thing at a local drug store for cheaper?

[Bob W]

Agreed -- worse yet I'm tired of my 7 year old son expected to be a salesman -- sell $700 of $20 per bag boyscout popcorn -- $100 of soccer candy  --- school sales and win a ride in a limo or some crap toy ---.    Really, really tired of the boyscout popcorn deal.   

So he and mom (dad refused) sold the popcorn and earned enough to cover his summer camp.  I guess that makes up for the effort.   He did do some door to door sales and outside of store sales.  So I guess he is learning something.  But com'on $20 for a bag of popcorn!

I refuse to sell anything to family, friends or coworkers.   If someone asks or some kid knock on the door I ask the how much for whatever?   I then just hand them the money as a donation and the organization keeps 100%. 

[OldDogNewTrick]

One of the most important life skills to acquire is the ability to easily and without hesitation say "no." Smile while you say it and act completely unembarassed. Never go into explanations or details; "no" is sufficient unto itself. :-) One of the few compensating joys of age is to not give a **** what other people think.

[horsepoor]

I like going to the malls to walk around/people watch once in a while. I can't even get anyone to sell me anything when I'm alone except when I go up to them and ask what they are selling :S When I walk around the mall, people generally ignore me unless I'm with a women friend, then they try to sell her something and get me to agree it looks nice on her.

And no, I don't look like I'm homeless either, maybe I growl at them unconsciously? I don't think I smell either nor do I look drunk. Though I can pull of a crazed look.

Though my personal skills probably need to be worked on, when a salesman comes up to me and ask if I need help, I just say no and say if I need help, I'll find someone. Then I just stare at them until they leave.

Even the door to door people skip my house now after I insisted really hard that they come in so we can sit down and before talking over their pamphlet.

BTW, wth is marykay? I get that it is cosmetics, but how is it worth selling as a multi-level gig when you can buy the same thing at a local drug store for cheaper?

I'm a woman and I often get ignored at mall stores.  Depends on the store and how I'm dressed that way.  When I was in college I realized that I'd get much better service at department stores if I was carrying my Coach bag (yes, facepunch me for buying a Coach bag while in college).  I can't get help at Sephora unless I'm pretty much the only customer in the store.  I guess I don't have the makeup piled on deep enough to look like a good customer (and I'm not).

I also suspect I have what one poster here termed "angry resting face" or "bitchy resting face."  No, I know I do.

To the OP, I am sorry you're having to deal with all this in-person sell, sell, sell.  When I read the thread title, I was just thinking about the constant ads seen everywhere.  I get so sick of the TV yelling at me to order pizza and take a pill for every ailment I might encounter.  Getting the constant shill speech in person must be exhausting.

[Left]

If someone asks or some kid knock on the door I ask the how much for whatever?

bet kids love your place on halloween, just show up and knock then they can set their own candy price? :D

[trailrated]

Once I hit FIRE I am going to go door to door selling no-soliciting signs.

[MsPeacock]

I just got an email from a neighbor (who I rarely see and have little relationship with) to come to her party selling MaryKay and some other stuff (homemade jewelry). Ugh! I hate hate hate this stuff. Hate it. Tired of invitations from people I barely know and rarely see to come to their "party" selling stuff. I don't want to hear how there is "no pressure" (yes, there is), and you are just "practicing" (not with me), and "you don't have to buy anything" and etc.

Oh - and don't get my started on the boyscout popcorn ($25 a bag for popped corn - WTF?). I just won't do it. I wont'. I won't buy it. I won't sell it. I will pretend that I lost/forgot/dropped/missed the deadline for all the stuff. No thank you.

School fundraisers selling stuff - nope, nope, and nope. I'm happy to make a $50 donation or whatever directly to the school or the band or the PTA or whatever, but no way am I buyin $50 worth of overpriced wrapping paper and other junk. And they hook the kids in w/  offers of "prizes" (Oreintal Trading Company plastic junk) for selling hundreds of dollars worth of stuff.

[nereo]

Once I hit FIRE I am going to go door to door selling no-soliciting signs.

please do this while wearing hunniebun's "I'm not buying what your are selling" t-shirts!

[RFAAOATB]

Oh - and don't get my started on the boyscout popcorn ($25 a bag for popped corn - WTF?). I just won't do it. I wont'. I won't buy it. I won't sell it. I will pretend that I lost/forgot/dropped/missed the deadline for all the stuff. No thank you.

The Boy Scouts have a much bigger challenge selling extremely overpriced popcorn than the Girl Scouts have selling moderately overpriced cookies.  They may need to look in to a new fundraising food product.

[Eric]

One of the most important life skills to acquire is the ability to easily and without hesitation say "no." Smile while you say it and act completely unembarassed. Never go into explanations or details; "no" is sufficient unto itself. :-) One of the few compensating joys of age is to not give a **** what other people think.

Well, you could add a "thanks" at the end.  But I agree that learning to just say No or No Thanks and not feel guilty about it is a great gift you can give yourself.

[Meggslynn]

Oh I can completely relate!!

My son is three and now that we have friends who have kids as well we are constantly being hounded to buy something. Most of them are stay at home moms who really can't afford to stay home  ....

In the last couple weeks I have turned down:
Scentsy
Avon
Jamberry
Sweet Legs
Bear??? Books
Quickstar?

I must say I am an Tupperware consultant only for the discount for my family and friends and I never make living off it. I do truly find their products make my life easier and they do last a lifetime but I never try to sell to anyone.

It gets annoying and as a working mom I have to say I do have a chip on my shoulder about it: I am not going to spend 8 hours away from child 4-5 days a week to give you my money (for mostly junk products) so you can stay home. If these products brought value to me or my families life than I would have no problem giving you my money to help you stay home with your kids.

[LiveLean]

A few years ago our sons' school provided a just-give-cash option rather than having you purchase wrapping paper. So I feel better giving $50 or $100 directly to the school rather than 50 percent or more of it to the marketing company.

Also have to deal with the Cub Scout popcorn. Just brutal.

Years ago, I had two teenagers from a wealthy nearby gated enclave knock on the door. Here was their pitch:

"Um, hi, we're so-and-so, perhaps you know my father, Dr. X. We live in (gated enclave)."
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, okay, well, we're raising money for our soccer trip to San Diego."
"Okay. What are you selling?"
(Confused stare) "Um, we're not selling anything. Just asking for donations. (Name of professional baseball player neighbor) gave us $20."
(Calculating my income relative to the ballplayer's $10 million salary and $20 donation and thinking a $1 donation would be proportionately much more generous).

"Okay," I said finally. "You guys live in (gated enclave), right."
(Kids nodding)
"Why didn't you just ask your dad to stroke a check for the trip."
"Oh," one of the kids said. "He thought it was important that we learn to raise money for something we want."

I've often wondered where those kids are now.

[GizmoTX]

DS' BSA Pack & then Troop refused to sell the horrible popcorn. It's a ripoff for the customers & the units don't get much commission -- it mostly goes to the local council. The council really pressures the packs & troops, but it is not a requirement, although too many units don't realize that. DS' troop allows its scouts to sell seasonal poinsettias (grown locally) only if they want to, no pressure, and they get to keep 100% of the commission in a scout account for scout camp or other related expenses. The plants sell for $10, including scout delivery, & the best customers are businesses, private schools, & people who are into holiday decorating. DS had a list of repeat customers that expected him every year & were disappointed when he aged out. This is what selling should be, a service, not extorting family & friends.

[hunniebun]

@ Meggslyn - I also had Usborne Books recently...and I eco your sentiment that there are many stay-at-home moms in our community that live at double income levels, so they push the products relentlessly to a)get free product for themselves and b) earn some extra money. I feel exactly the same way. I work 4 days a week and all my spare money goes to meeting my needs and saving so I can stop working and not have to push this crap on my friends and family.

@ Livelean - That is brutal.  Good for the parents for trying I guess...but really, wouldn't it be better to actually work for the money rather than just ask people to give it to you?   

@Bob W - That boy scout popcorn is ridiculous.  Someone in my office sells it twice a year and it is so expensive. Before I got better at saying no, I did buy some...and it 'pops' exactly the same as the generic brand I can buy for pennies.  The claims of these home business about the effectiveness of their products kills me! 

And I agree...I would rather just give money to directly to a cause rather than buy some  crap and how the cause only get a small percentage.  I just don't think that is the global view which is why these stupid fundraisers continue.  When I was young we used to just stand outside of grocery stores with change boxes and a sign for our swim club and people would put in there spare change.  That is likely as profitable as selling chocolate bars with considerably less effort.  Mind you...so few people now actually use cash that it might not work so well anymore.  Not to mention that EVERY store that you shop at asks for 1$ donation to whatever cause, or round up your total for XYZ.  Something that I recently hear, but I don't know if it is true or not, is when companies do this...like say Toys R Us...they make the donation with the customers money...and the company takes the TAX BREAK! WTF?  So they try to sell it like they are doing this wonderful thing for a charity, but then really it just helps their bottom line with a tax benefit?  If that it true it makes me sick. 

So yes...hands are out all over the place and learning to say No Thank You is serving me well in 2015. 

[Kaspian]

Oh - and don't get my started on the boyscout popcorn ($25 a bag for popped corn - WTF?). I just won't do it. I wont'. I won't buy it. I won't sell it. I will pretend that I lost/forgot/dropped/missed the deadline for all the stuff. No thank you.

The Boy Scouts have a much bigger challenge selling extremely overpriced popcorn than the Girl Scouts have selling moderately overpriced cookies.  They may need to look in to a new fundraising food product.

Glad I'm not the only one who found that TOTALLY insane.  My sister held Thanksgiving dinner at her place last year.  After the meal we were all hit up to sign for the Scouts popcorn.  Doh!!  Can't they just get some of the Girl Scouts's $5 cookies from the manufacturer?  Maybe switch up the favours?  Sell marshmallow ones or something.  $20 for ANY popcorn is just plain stupid.  ...Even if it`s coated with Goldschläger or something.

[MustachianAccountant]

Well now that she has exhausted all of her friends and family on that crap, she has moved on to "3D lashes"

Can you send me her name? I'm really sick of my two dimensional lashes. If I turn sideways, they literally cease to exist.

[minimustache1985]

That sounds incredibly frustrating to be constantly hit up.  Just keep reminding yourself NO is not a four letter word :)

I don't mind Pampered Chef because I genuinely like their kitchen products, and Girl Scout cookies have a low enough barrier cost that I will buy a box.  Boy Scouts are just crazy- $20+ for POPCORN?!  No.  If they sold a $5 bag I would probably buy it for the same reason as Girl Scouts (teaches them money handling/change making, interacting with customers at a young age, fundraising, etc) but I'm not subsidizing those lessons at quadruple the cost.

[Sid888]

This is one of the reasons I reasons I love Netflix (no commercials) and, to a lesser extent, Hulu (no commercials on kids TV) over cable tv.

[Numbers Man]

A few years ago our sons' school provided a just-give-cash option rather than having you purchase wrapping paper. So I feel better giving $50 or $100 directly to the school rather than 50 percent or more of it to the marketing company.

Also have to deal with the Cub Scout popcorn. Just brutal.

Years ago, I had two teenagers from a wealthy nearby gated enclave knock on the door. Here was their pitch:

"Um, hi, we're so-and-so, perhaps you know my father, Dr. X. We live in (gated enclave)."
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, okay, well, we're raising money for our soccer trip to San Diego."
"Okay. What are you selling?"
(Confused stare) "Um, we're not selling anything. Just asking for donations. (Name of professional baseball player neighbor) gave us $20."
(Calculating my income relative to the ballplayer's $10 million salary and $20 donation and thinking a $1 donation would be proportionately much more generous).

"Okay," I said finally. "You guys live in (gated enclave), right."
(Kids nodding)
"Why didn't you just ask your dad to stroke a check for the trip."
"Oh," one of the kids said. "He thought it was important that we learn to raise money for something we want."

I've often wondered where those kids are now.

^ I had one of those conversations with a kid that wanted to go to Europe. How nice. I just said No Thank You, but was thinking that his parents should be paying for his summer trip, not me.

[I'm a red panda]

Well now that she has exhausted all of her friends and family on that crap, she has moved on to "3D lashes"

Can you send me her name? I'm really sick of my two dimensional lashes. If I turn sideways, they literally cease to exist.

It is awesome and hilarious-  I was asking my wife about them and not only is it like $40-50 for the 3D lashes mascara, you apparently need to still use your old stuff on top of it!

This insanity is all over my facebook feed.  But it's only $36 a tube.   
I'm seriously ready to unfriend people over it.


The other thing that won't go away is Wine at home.  I don't even drink and I get invited to these parties.  Plus of course jamberry, oils, and jewelry.  Stamping seems to have gone out of favor.

[LucyBIT]

God, Jamberry drives me crazy. One of my friends from college keeps "hosting" Jamberry "parties" on Facebook. It would bother me a lot more if I spent more time on Facebook, but that alone is a really good reason to keep up my barely-there presence :)

I really thought all this crap wouldn't be so bad until I had kids and the fundraisers started in, but Facebook is truly the worst for it.

[AlwaysBeenASaver]

We get the "my kid is selling ..." at work as well as the "someone has a family problem/birthday/personal expense" envelopes. It's especially awkward because often they go cube-to-cube where everyone else can hear what your response is.

[ltt]

Stop ragging on the Boy Scouts when there are just as many you should be going off about.  I know their popcorn is expensive; however, most of the money that the individual scout earns goes to pay for camp--a very worthwhile opportunity and an opportunity that many boys might otherwise not have the opportunity to go. 

[ltt]

As a working mom, with kids in a variety of activities, I am getting completely burnt out of being sold too.  This is the list of things that people have tried to sell me just in the past week!  Jamberry (fingernail decorations), Norwex, Avon, MaryKay, Arbonne, Pamper Chef, a jewelery company and some eyelash extension product.  Add on top of that the endless requests for fun raising (50/50 tickets, grey cup tickets, raffle tickets, selling everything from honey and chocolate bars to coupon books) and I am just burnt out.  Maybe it is just now that I am really hoarding my pennies that I am noticing this.  But I feel like I need a T-shirt that "I am not buying whatever you are selling today."    I completely understand that many of the people doing the selling are trying to build their business so they can either stay at home with kids or work part time or maybe even hustle to FIRE early...it just feels like a constant deluge this week!  It seems like every casual conversation with someone eventually leads to...'did you know I sell XYZ on the side? Are you interested in buying/booking a party/looking at a catalogue?".   Anyone else have this issue?

It's very simple---if you don't want to buy it, tell them you are not interested.

[ABC123]

I admit, I really like Thin Mints, so I buy a couple boxes of overpriced Girl Scout cookies every year.  But I just can't bring myself to buy the Boy Scout popcorn.  I think Boy Scouts is a great thing for boys to be involved in. Someday, my boys might even take part.  But the whole popcorn selling thing is one of the big reasons why I might keep them out.  Popcorn is cheap, and I know the scouts don't get a whole lot from it.  So somebody somewhere is cashing in on this. 

[Holyoak]

I get so sick of the TV yelling at me to order pizza and take a pill for every ailment I might encounter.

Have you considered going without?  After my divorce, and setting up my own housing, I'm going on three years w/o television and love it!  It's very calming for me to not have to experience what you mention and more, and I find running my computer with Adblock=I watch what I want in no commercial bliss.  Truly, I do not miss TV one iota.

[hunniebun]

We get the "my kid is selling ..." at work as well as the "someone has a family problem/birthday/personal expense" envelopes. It's especially awkward because often they go cube-to-cube where everyone else can hear what your response is.

There is not a day that goes by in my office that a money collection envelop doesn't get circulated...birthdays, babies, weddings, showers, retirements, funerals etc.  It is often awkward because I care about the people and whatever thing they celebrating or mourning...but I am trying so hard to save what precious disposable income I have!  As an example, my boss is getting married soon in Mexico.  He has disclosed to me that this two weeks is costing 14000$!  Wow.  My coworkers are doing a collection for him for a gift and the suggested amount to put in was 40$ What?  40 bucks for per person for a man who makes nearly double what I do?  I was thinking more of a thoughtful gesture to mark the occasion. Not a 400$ gift!  Yikes!  So I respectfully declined and suggested sending an envelop around so people could give what they could without pressure. 

@ltt - My intention wasn't to single out any organization. I am not saying many of them are worthy causes...My OP was simply expressing a frustration that virtually every interaction now come with a 'sell'...and it gets tiring.  Yes you can say no...but I am saying no at least 5 times a day...and often to the same people over and over again. 

[hunniebun]

"Oh, and I got a prescription for Retin-A and I've been using that too." Mystery solved.

LOL! Retin-A is a miracle worker! And best of all it is covered by my health care plan = free.

[justajane]

God, Jamberry drives me crazy. One of my friends from college keeps "hosting" Jamberry "parties" on Facebook. It would bother me a lot more if I spent more time on Facebook, but that alone is a really good reason to keep up my barely-there presence :)

I really thought all this crap wouldn't be so bad until I had kids and the fundraisers started in, but Facebook is truly the worst for it.

I posted this on another thread but I'll reiterate here. Posting a Jamberry manicure on Facebook is gross. Nobody wants to see a close-up of fingers, especially with self-promoting hashtags. I would hide inappropriate offenders but I'm oddly fascinated by the behavior.

Have you encountered the Jamberry nails birthday bash for little girls? If you buy in the next 24 hours, little Susie will get even more swag....

[Miss Prim]

I know the feeling!  My then new to me neighbor was inviting me to all kinds of parties, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef etc.  every month!  I went to the Mary Kay and one other one and then I just kept telling her I had to work (I do work some weekends).  Finally,  a friend talked me into having a Creative Memories party (this was years ago), so I invited her and a few co-workers and low and behold her kid gets sick and she can't come!  I figured I was finally paying her back for all the parties she kept inviting me to! 

My philosophy at work, when my kids were young was I won't bother trying to sell you something and I won't buy from you either!  I just hit up the kids' grandmas and myself and called it a day!  Guess what, it didn't matter how much the kids sold anyway! 

I would much rather give money to the schools for whatever they are fund raising for.  And, only to my kids schools!  Let the other parents fund their own schools activities!

                                                                                         Miss Prim

[MrsPete]

Thing about the Boy Scout popcorn is that it isn't even good.  I love popcorn, and I'm not particularly fussy about the brand -- but that stuff is just plain nasty. 

Better options:  The youth group at our church raises money every year for their big mission trip, and they use two fund raisers that I like very much.  Once a month they prepare lunch in the church hall, and they ask people who come to eat to drop into the bucket whatever they'd pay in a restaurant.  People tend to be generous -- I've seen $100 bills in that bucket, but I also see lots of $20s.  And they serve a decent meal.  Their other fund raiser is yard work.  You can sign up to have "a team" of one adult and several kids come to your house in the spring or fall, and they'll do whatever work you've laid out for them -- rake leaves, plant flowers, whatever.  Again, it's up to the individual to pay what he or she thinks is appropriate.  Both of these projects involve the kids doing actual work, and they're asking people to pay for things they really want -- not overpriced candy or wrapping paper. 

[jmusic]

This insanity is all over my facebook feed.  But it's only $36 a tube.   
I'm seriously ready to unfriend people over it.

Do it.  You'll thank yourself for it!  I've taken this one step further and stopped using Facebook except MAYYBEEE once every 10 days or so.

[dcheesi]

The annoying satellite-TV salesmen who used to wander the isles of  Best Buy have now shown up at Sam's Club :(

[RetiredAt63]

Wow. Just, wow.

Our Cubs and Scouts big money raiser was going around just after New Year's (small town) and collecting all the recyclable bottles (soft drinks).  People expected us and had them ready.  People who had New Year's Eve parties had masses of mixer bottles.  We made a lot of money, and people liked not having to worry about it.  No pressure, if you didn't have bottles that was fine.  That might not work so well in a larger town, and of course you need to live where there is a bottle deposit. We never had popcorn to sell, maybe Scouts Canada doesn't do it?

Selling at work - we would put whatever ii was and an envelope in the prep room, if people wanted it they took it and paid, if not, no pressure.  Honour system, small group, it worked.

I sure don't miss the ads on TV, one of my best MMM-prompted decisions was to cut my satellite TV.  And I am so glad I never went the Facebook route, so many bad stories (and not just on this forum).

[jmusic]

The annoying satellite-TV salesmen who used to wander the isles of  Best Buy have now shown up at Sam's Club :(

I encountered one of those people a while back (I forget where), and they offered to save me money by switching to DirecTV.  I replied "I don't have cable," and she didn't have a comeback!

[Lyngi]

WAIT, you all need to buy some Jamberry!   DS is working there to put himself through college!  Oh, well. 

[Malaysia41]

A few years ago our sons' school provided a just-give-cash option rather than having you purchase wrapping paper. So I feel better giving $50 or $100 directly to the school rather than 50 percent or more of it to the marketing company.

Also have to deal with the Cub Scout popcorn. Just brutal.

Years ago, I had two teenagers from a wealthy nearby gated enclave knock on the door. Here was their pitch:

"Um, hi, we're so-and-so, perhaps you know my father, Dr. X. We live in (gated enclave)."
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, okay, well, we're raising money for our soccer trip to San Diego."
"Okay. What are you selling?"
(Confused stare) "Um, we're not selling anything. Just asking for donations. (Name of professional baseball player neighbor) gave us $20."
(Calculating my income relative to the ballplayer's $10 million salary and $20 donation and thinking a $1 donation would be proportionately much more generous).

"Okay," I said finally. "You guys live in (gated enclave), right."
(Kids nodding)
"Why didn't you just ask your dad to stroke a check for the trip."
"Oh," one of the kids said. "He thought it was important that we learn to raise money for something we want."

I've often wondered where those kids are now.

This father missed a golden opportunity to teach his kids how to EARN money for something they want. 

Sell lemonade in the front yard.  Wash cars, mow lawns, shovel side-walks, etc.  Go buy bulk costco stuff (water, soda, candy, energy bars) and sit beside a walking path and sell to passer-byers.  Be creative - look for opportunities where people have a problem, figure out a solution and sell that solution.  Sales 101. If that all fails - get a job!

But what did this guy do?  He encouraged his kids to build up glorified pan-handling skills.  (face-palm).

[jmusic]

A few years ago our sons' school provided a just-give-cash option rather than having you purchase wrapping paper. So I feel better giving $50 or $100 directly to the school rather than 50 percent or more of it to the marketing company.

Also have to deal with the Cub Scout popcorn. Just brutal.

Years ago, I had two teenagers from a wealthy nearby gated enclave knock on the door. Here was their pitch:

"Um, hi, we're so-and-so, perhaps you know my father, Dr. X. We live in (gated enclave)."
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, okay, well, we're raising money for our soccer trip to San Diego."
"Okay. What are you selling?"
(Confused stare) "Um, we're not selling anything. Just asking for donations. (Name of professional baseball player neighbor) gave us $20."
(Calculating my income relative to the ballplayer's $10 million salary and $20 donation and thinking a $1 donation would be proportionately much more generous).

"Okay," I said finally. "You guys live in (gated enclave), right."
(Kids nodding)
"Why didn't you just ask your dad to stroke a check for the trip."
"Oh," one of the kids said. "He thought it was important that we learn to raise money for something we want."

I've often wondered where those kids are now.

This father missed a golden opportunity to teach his kids how to EARN money for something they want. 

Sell lemonade in the front yard.  Wash cars, mow lawns, shovel side-walks, etc.  Go buy bulk costco stuff (water, soda, candy, energy bars) and sit beside a walking path and sell to passer-byers.  Be creative - look for opportunities where people have a problem, figure out a solution and sell that solution.  Sales 101. If that all fails - get a job!

But what did this guy do?  He encouraged his kids to build up glorified pan-handling skills.  (face-palm).

I'm surprised he didn't tell them to dress up like bums and stand on the street corners!

[happyfeet]

A few years ago our sons' school provided a just-give-cash option rather than having you purchase wrapping paper. So I feel better giving $50 or $100 directly to the school rather than 50 percent or more of it to the marketing company.

Also have to deal with the Cub Scout popcorn. Just brutal.

Years ago, I had two teenagers from a wealthy nearby gated enclave knock on the door. Here was their pitch:

"Um, hi, we're so-and-so, perhaps you know my father, Dr. X. We live in (gated enclave)."
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, okay, well, we're raising money for our soccer trip to San Diego."
"Okay. What are you selling?"
(Confused stare) "Um, we're not selling anything. Just asking for donations. (Name of professional baseball player neighbor) gave us $20."
(Calculating my income relative to the ballplayer's $10 million salary and $20 donation and thinking a $1 donation would be proportionately much more generous).

"Okay," I said finally. "You guys live in (gated enclave), right."
(Kids nodding)
"Why didn't you just ask your dad to stroke a check for the trip."
"Oh," one of the kids said. "He thought it was important that we learn to raise money for something we want."

I've often wondered where those kids are now.

This.  Is a funny story.  Have a few like that also.  Girl came to my door selling magazines so she could travel to Europe to go to chef school.  Uh no. And then three years in a row magazine solicitation from an old neighbor raising funds so their college softball team could travel to Florida.  Uh no again.

And now the new thing is Martha and Mary.  Overpriced nice crap I can get at Homegoods for 1/4 of the price.  Uh no again.  The lady selling it asks me all the time to buy.

[MustacheExplorer]

The annoying satellite-TV salesmen who used to wander the isles of  Best Buy have now shown up at Sam's Club :(

I ran into the Verizon Fios salesman at Walmart recently.  He approached me and asked if I would answer a quick question.  I said sure already knowing who he represented.  He asked "What service I used for internet and cable tv access" (He knew that most in the area use Comcast).  I replied that I didn't have internet or cable service.  He was dumbfounded, looked a few times at his clipboard to try to find a response but couldn't.  He then just looked at me, said thank you and moved along.

I have also had a few early evening knocks on the door by salesman saying that they are doing window installations for a neighbor and want to know how old my windows are.  I immediately respond I don't know and that I rent this house.  They always end the pitch and don't return.

[paddedhat]

I really, really pissed off a neighbor, back when my girl was in scouts. This lady was not real happy that the wife and I were not out shilling the cookies, like all the good mommies and daddies do. I asked how well she had done? She bragged that her daughter had sold something like eighty boxes. I the asked how much time she had invested into her daughter's effort? She replied that she had spent about four hours DRIVING the kid around our very rural area to get to that number. Driving a full sized, V8 conversion van, BTW. I then asked how much of the $4 of each boxes goes to the kid? IIRC, she said it was around fifty cents. This is where it got ugly...........

I then asked how she could ever waste an entire day of her life (including another four hours of delivery) and at least a full tank of gas in her giant van, for a whole $40? This didn't go over well at all, LOL. She angrily replied that  "I just don't get it". I reminded her that we both own successful businesses, and I guess we will have to just disagree on exactly who doesn't get what, in this case.

[justajane]

To raise money for various mission trips, our youth group at church came up with a great idea. They do babysitting in the basement of the church on a Saturday night, usually from 4:30-8:30. You can drop your kids off whenever and donate whatever. It's a win/win for all involved. Our church basement is set up for this, since we have three nursery rooms there already, so I never worried about safety or anything. Plus the youth pastor and his wife were always there to supervise.

[Kris]

"Oh, and I got a prescription for Retin-A and I've been using that too." Mystery solved.

LOL! Retin-A is a miracle worker! And best of all it is covered by my health care plan = free.

Okay, will people please weigh in on Retin-A and tell me why it is worth it?

[Daisy]

I heard a co-worker wandering my hallway at work and as soon as I heard the word "girl scout cookie" I made a mad dash to the restroom to escape. I've learned to do this anytime anything similar gets heard around my work neighborhood. If you're not there, there's no need to say no. ;-)

One guy was walking around with a tin can with change in it and just shaking it around to make noise with the coins inside. He walked into my cube and just started shaking the can. So I looked at him and said "what's that for?". He just said "heart disease". It really wasn't a big selling thing or anything, but just his whole lack of enthusiasm for it made me say, which is the truth, I don't donate to disease charities. I mean, he didn't even explain anything about the charity. He was just collecting it for his daughter.

[MsPeacock]

"Oh, and I got a prescription for Retin-A and I've been using that too." Mystery solved.

LOL! Retin-A is a miracle worker! And best of all it is covered by my health care plan = free.

Okay, will people please weigh in on Retin-A and tell me why it is worth it?

I have used it for about 15 years. My skin looks great.  It does increase sensitivity to the sun, and if your skin is dry it will be drier. However, it really works - unlike all the goop that they will sell you for $150 a bottle at Sephora. It minimizes fine lines and helps prevent wrinkles - and helps reduce acne and breakouts as well (because you know a lot of us manage to have both wrinkles and breakouts *sigh*).  Gotta use it with daily sunscreen (which will also help prevent wrinkles).

[horsepoor]

I get so sick of the TV yelling at me to order pizza and take a pill for every ailment I might encounter.

Have you considered going without?  After my divorce, and setting up my own housing, I'm going on three years w/o television and love it!  It's very calming for me to not have to experience what you mention and more, and I find running my computer with Adblock=I watch what I want in no commercial bliss.  Truly, I do not miss TV one iota.

Well there you go.  I would need to get divorced to do so.