I live in the 50/42 area and there's one guy came over to my house claiming he is raising money for the fire department and ask us to give $40 cash or check. I don't have cash available at the moment so he said he will come back tomorrow. I wonder if he comes to your house asks for the same thing? Before I give him the money I want to make sure there's such a thing going on in our community.
They usually ask for a donation. It used to be if you gave $20 (I thought) you would get a free portrait and the opportunity to buy more of course. Hubby has answered the door to them the last few years, so it may have gone up. They also put a sticker on your mailbox so they dont bother you anymore... I always hope I will get faster/better service with that sticker if I ever needed them. :lol::lol: (Jk)
They just came by here yesterday. Yes, it has gone up to $40, and they give you a certificate for a free portrait. I wrote a check for $40 and told him to keep the certificate and give it to somebody else. They are legitimate.
Since this is a world of scam artists.........they carry identification and are willing to show it to you. Yes this it the time of year they are soliciting donations but if you are still uncomfortable, ask for the ID.
This is the third year we have had the same woman come to our subdivisioin. We had the portraits done last year (never made it the first year) and they were WONDERFUL!. Last 2 years the fee was $35, this year it seems to have gone up to $40. I think it is money well spent (I have 2 FF that live in my neighborhood, so I'm partial )
Sybil got hold of the door to door person last year. I had just pulled in my driveway after a crappy day at work, and here she comes trotting over from my neighbors house where she had no response. Before she even got 3 words out, I told her in no uncertain terms that I didn't appreciate being jumped on as soon as I got out of the car after a long day at work...so she went back up the driveway and was about to put a sticker on my mailbox, and I told her in no uncertain terms again that I didn't want her sticker on my mailbox either. I wonder if they'll bother to come back this year...:?
By any chance was this guy on foot with a clipboard. It was on Wednesday and I was trying to put my daughter down for her nap when the doorbell rang. I checked the peep hole and I see a guy standing there but their was no car in the drive way. I am sorry, but I am home alone and I do not open my door for anyone unless I am expecting someone or if I see a UPS or FEDEX truck in the driveway. Anyhow.... He continues to ring my doorbell, bang on my door and even tried my door knob. I had 911 ready on my phone. I freaked out. He finally left and I couldn't see where he went. And another thing...I can not stand when religious people (jev witness) come knocking on the door and they just stand there for good 10 minutes hoping the door will open. I am sorry but we do live in a crazy world. Call me paranoid but thats how I am.
Are you referring to Clayton Area Rescue? They go door-to-door soliciting contributions and I give a small contribution every year. (In fact, I see the same guy every year.) In return, I get a card for a free family picture from some local photographer - I've never gone for the picture. I do claim the contribution on my income tax using my canceled check. Oh, and he does put a bright orange sticker on my house number, so no one bothers me thereafter.
You are right, I just got home from work. Just put my key down on the table, the bell rings and there's the guy in my front door. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure this thing is going on. But if this is about donation, how could they ask for a specific amount of $40? Isn't it up to you to donate how much you're willing to?
I found that odd too, CVFD came to my door, I forget what the 'recommended donation amount' was, but I told him I could only give X amount, and he was happy with that, I still got my coupon for a family portrait though.
Yes, $40 is a suggested donation. This year I gave that, but last year was a little tight, so I gave less, and he was fine with that - insisted on giving me the card for a free portrait even though I knew I wouldn't use it.
I recall it use to be if you paid the requested donation you were then a member (or something like that). The terms were that you would not be charged it you needed emergency ambulance transport. Does anyone else remember that? Is that "membership" still included with the "donation"?
I remember the Selma rescue squad used to do that, don't know if they still do. But the fire department is a separate entity, even though they operate out of the same building.
I think that's what I'm going to do. You know it's real tight right now, all the prices are going to the roof, gas is reaching $3.50 a gallon, $40 is a little to much.
I don't open the door for anybody, unless I know you are on the way. Some church people came by last weekend and DH got up to answer it, he asked why I didn't get up - "Because I'm not expecting anybody" :mrgreen:
Fire Dept won't... but the ambulance might..:mrgreen: for us its the EMS workers that come around, and if you "donate" $40, your household will not be charged if the ambulance has to come in that year.
