Giving money to people selling pictures door to doo?

Donal94

Sorry if this is the wrong forum. I've just had a young chap at the door, I think he was Polish but thats irrelevant, selling pictures and drawings. I'm torn as to whether or not I should buy them, the chap seems a fairly dishevelled, desperate sort and its really doing a number on the heart strings but is there a chance that he's been sent around selling the pictures by an organisation legal or not and is just playing on peoples good nature?
If anyone has had a similar experience or have any idea if these people are genuine or not I'd love to hear your opinions as I feel terrible now for not buying one. I certainly would give him money next time if I thought there was a good chance that he is genuine?

Rev Hellfire

I've had a few of them call around, with their pitiful faces and little cards saying 'me speaka no englash, [insert sob story]'. Personally I think its not quite a scam since you are getting some thing if you're willing pay for their art, but I've yet to see anything I'd be willing to put up on my walls.
They are though playing on your gullibility in believing hard luck cases to liberate your hard earned shekels.

Donal94

Yeah thats why I've turned them away but I just thought it was worth reviewing my policy as I wouldn't like to see someone actually needing help not get it. At least not when their at your door as ironic as that is. I kinda get the feeling that there's some chap collecting them at the end of the road and taking any money they've gotten from them? If thats the case none of us should give them money.

DublinWriter

This scam has done the rounds on the Joe Duffy show quite a few times over the years. They're basically selling prints/photocopies of other peoples' work. Avoid.

Donal94

Thanks thats the kind of information I was looking for but hoping I wouldn't get.

esskay

It may be a scam but it ain't easy to turn some of them away. Yesterday we had a guy call who had fairly bad facial disfigurment and on his card it said he was trying to get money for an operation. We gave him some, how could you not. Then, not less than five minutes later a guy aged 50-60 called and his card said he needed money for an operation for his daughter. And, thb, I gave him some too even though I knew it was most likely a bull**** story and I really didn't want to, but if someone that age has to go door to door to earn a crust he has to be desparate as I can't see them making much money out of it.