|
|
Post by Kye on Dec 26, 2012 18:33:18 GMT
I saw on Craigslist this morning that someone in my area needs some dog food to tide him over until Jan. 1 (presumable when his welfare cheque arrives). I need to pick up cat food today, so I emailed him to say I might as well get his dog some food while I'm at it. He messaged me back to accept, and I noticed from his signature that he's a guy who is pretty notorious in my area for scamming people in various ways concerning animals. Now I wonder if I'm being duped. (Something that happens to me fairly regularly in my line of work... ) On the other hand, what else can he do to me except trick me out of a bag of food?  |
|
|
|
Post by charliebrown on Dec 26, 2012 19:06:25 GMT
I guess a bag of dog food is ok to offer. He himself is not going to eat the dog food I suppose. So you are helping his dog anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by whollygoats on Dec 26, 2012 19:36:43 GMT
Or...somebody's dog. Or...depending...some old folks.
It is reputed that some, particularly the hard-hit older folks on limited fixed incomes, actually rely upon tinned pet food for sustenance. Reputedly because it is a cheaper form of protein. I don't know how 'urban myth' that is, and I find that many pet foods are nearly as expensive as human food. Dry kibble-type foods generally don't go over too well with that crowd, either.
If he is scamming you, the best thing you can do is set yourself up so that he doesn't come to you again....and again...and again...just because you are a soft-touch. It is interesting to me that he is so 'notorious'.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kye on Dec 26, 2012 19:57:33 GMT
Well, I dropped off the food (dry kibble at his request) and saw his 2 dogs. I don't think he'll be eating the food. He did start into a story about his dog's broken leg (and the dog was running around on 3 legs instead of 4) but I didn't stick around to get the whole story. He invited me in, but I politely declined. It's possible that he may ask me again, but I can always say no. (I've learned that useful skill.)
So all's well that ends well.
His reputation is one of being a duplicitous mooch.
|
|
|
|
Post by whollygoats on Dec 26, 2012 20:12:39 GMT
Heh...There seems to be a lot of those 'duplicitous mooches' around.
We have a guy here in town who has a notorious approach. He intercepts shoppers and others on errands at the streetside with a story about how he was working a job nearby and while at work, his truck was stolen. Under the circumstances, he then requests enough money to get him a taxi to his home in Welches (a small town about 30 miles east of Portland, beyond the conurbation), which would be a tidy sum near $50 US, if not more. The thing is, after hearing the story multiple times, some followed him after he got a donation....he went to a nearby tavern (a pub) where he quenched his thirst for several hours before returning to the streets to repeat his story and request. One of the local blogs runs a regular "spotting report" on this guy.
Downtown Puddle City is replete with panhandlers....some who have pitched their stories to me multiple times. Bus money is the usual request, but some are a bit more inventive and come up with all sorts of rationales as to why we should give them our money. I try to avoid downtown, but I have been hearing lately about 'aggressive' panhandlers. Evidently, they browbeat non-donors....sort of 'harridan-handling'. Bridge ramps and freeway ramps are now dotted with 'homeless' with cardboard signs and hard-luck stories, despite a well-read local news story about how these cads pull down hundreds of dollars a day begging in this fashion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Fr. Gruesome on Dec 27, 2012 13:10:32 GMT
The standard touch for clergy in southern England (I am reliably told) is a knock at the parsonage door followed by a sob-story about a sick mother in Scotland ... urgent need to return home ... cash only ... I wish I knew if the same kind of thing happens to ministers of the Scottish kirk ... sick mother in England etc., and is there a tipping point half-way up the island - around York say - where the clergy are just as likely to be asked for the fare home to Cromarty or Cornwall.
I think we should be told.
I am afraid that I make a point of never carrying cash when in clericals so that I can refuse without causing a scene. My local timber merchant has a more direct approach: a sign over the till says 'Please do not ask for credit as a smack in the teeth often offends.'
|
|
|
|
Post by Moose on Dec 31, 2012 2:16:01 GMT
I've had people at my door a cpl times wanting money for a taxi to visit their poorly grandmother in hospital. I no longer open my door unless I know who is there.
I don't believe that 'eating dog food cost it's cheaper thing'. Here, at least, it is NOT cheaper. A can of budget hotdogs or meatballs is cheaper than even the cheapest can of dog food and although it might not very nice, it's certainly better ..
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2012 7:42:30 GMT
We get that at the main station here: people approaching us and telling us a story about having to get on a train to visit a sick mother and needing just that little bit of extra money, usually a few Euros. Once I was there for a few days in a row since I always had to change there and realized that the same guy kept coming up to me with the same story. I tend to walk away if they walk up to me or I ignore them when I have my MP3 player and headphones on.
|
|
|
|
Post by tangent on Dec 31, 2012 10:18:41 GMT
It used to be a lot worse in Manchester but two things have changed the situation. Firstly, begging has been made illegal and secondly, homeless people are given the opportunity of selling "The Big Issue" - a publication about the plight of homeless people. It hasn't made the problems go away entirely but it has made things a lot better.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2012 11:12:15 GMT
In Bremen, an organization delivers food several times a week at the main station and around the city so homeless people can get a warm meal for free. And I don't see a point in giving someone money for alcohol.
|
|
|
|
Post by whollygoats on Dec 31, 2012 18:10:42 GMT
We have Sisters of the Road Cafe, which sponsors redeemable coupons for real reasonable rates that the general public can purchase and then present when a panhandler solicits. It helps create a 'no cash' situation where a full warm meal is assured for those who need it and addictions are not consequently encouraged.
Sadly, too few marks use these and continue to hand out cash. Also, changes can lead to more desperate panhandler using assertive measures like physical intimidation to extract 'donations'. Particularly when the police presence is thin and bored.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kye on Dec 31, 2012 18:25:12 GMT
Montreal is known for its polite panhandlers. If you don't give, they often say "thanks anyway". I've never seen any who were really aggressive.
|
|
|
|
Post by tangent on Dec 31, 2012 19:01:30 GMT
A few years ago we had a spate of beggars holding up cards saying they couldn't speak and could they have 30p. I have no doubt it was a con.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alvamiga on Dec 31, 2012 19:33:20 GMT
They have organisations here who encourage you to give them any money and they give the homeless the help they need. Again, it stops the misappropriation of cash. Maybe they need to make giving them money illegal!  There are a number of people in the town selling the big issue. Some are very polite, but some are still much less so. I do give small amounts to one or two of the Big Issue sellers. I would buy the magazine, but I've read a few before and I found the content boring so I'm saving my money and the paper!  |
|
