Nottingham knockers

I have come across them a couple of times. First about 2 years ago when a chap ( we guessed in his 50's) called at the house of an elderly lady I worked for. He claimed to be from Newcastle and an ex offender who was trying to make a living to keep his family etc etc. She gave him a polite no thanks and I made a noise in the kitchen so to let him know she was not alone.
The second was a young chap who called here claiming to be from Liverpool, same thing ex con trying to go on the straight and narrow. There was another lad going up neighbours path as well.
I live in Dorset - so wondered why were ex convicts from so far up country trying to sell down here.
Very odd idea if it is a legal scheme.

I do not think they are legit. I consulted local police and they said very clearly that there are no probation or voluntary services in the country that support this kind of scheme. The one who came to our door was quite aggressive to my OH (who is visibly unwell) brandishing the scissors he was trying to sell. I wish I had gone to the door.

I bought a piece of corrugated plastic which enables me to 'grill' bacon in the microwave. I'd not seen it anywhere else at the time. Far too expensive but I felt so sorry for him.
Years ago DS had a similar 'job' toting a hefty bag of metal covered notebooks and address books via public transport to shopping areas. Then he had to cold sell them to shopkeepers. The actual merchandise wasn't rubbish, some bookshops also stocked it. The job was commission only so he sometimes earned £0.00 in a long exhausting day. I guess he did learn selling the hard way however!

Of course they're legit. This is nothing new. It's a scheme for ex-cons/young offenders and not a scam - except you can buy the dusters etc. cheaper elsewhere.

Best you draw your curtains after dark and not answer the door perhaps?

They are legitimate. I checked with the local police when one knocked on my door.

A couple of months back I bought a little LED torch from one of these lads for a fiver. It has been brilliant! Small enough to slip in my pocket but really bright and SO useful for picking up after Gracie on the bedtime walki!
I don't know if I was ripped off, but I wish I had bought more.

I still have a stock of all sorts of low grade tat that I bought from a young man who had been in a youth offending institution. He was very jumpy and I guessed probably still a user. However he was polite, chatty and always showed his identity papers etc. every 2 months when he called! It is deffo. a scam but these lads are often being scammed too..they have to buy stock and pay for a round I believe.

Could never decide if refusing to buy or buying helped hiom

roses I doubt if they are ex-prisoners, in the main.

The organisers know how to appeal to the liberal thoughts of most the UK population, that of wanting to help ex-cons go on the straight and narrow; or helping ex-forces back on their feet.

IMO, it's a scam but not one of planning burglaries.

I think these young men are ex prisoners who can't find a lot of work, and a van drops them in a neighbourhood to sell the wares like old fashioned pedlers.I have bought from them in the past, but the things they sell are so sub standard and expensive that I no longer do.You could buy them in the pound shop ( and they charge a fiver.) I gave a very hot and sweaty looking young chap a cold can of coke to drink, but said that I was sorry not to buy, but the goods were awful ( he nodded in agreement.)I think they get a small percentage of what they sell.

Why was he waving a lit phone?

I've always thought that these 'knockers' are just selling sub-standard dusters, sponges, etc but with no specific ill-intent.

I remember decades ago a film/documentary detailing how they are unemployed young men who are taken advantage of and paid next to nothing to peddle their rubbish.

Is it not an urban myth that they are on a recce to later rob pensioners?