Just turned away this young guy who was at my door showing me his "student ID card" and trying to sell me these basket-like "ladles" (the ones with the colorful woven ribbons and what not).
What gives? This isn't the first time I had a person claiming to be a student of a given university trying to peddle these basket-scoops at my door. Is this a legit type of fund raising? If it is legit, I would have been more than happy to give him 10,000won for what seems to be a completely useless item (useless to me, anyway), but I can't help but get the feeling that he went to some store and bought them for 1,000won a piece in an attempt to scam unsuspecting people.
I think I got taken in a similar way at Gimcheon airport by a young girl claiming to be doing something as a student for charity, and she sold me this makeshift knickknack (whatever it was) for 10,000won. I paid up because she was showing me pictures of sick kids, but again, I couldn't help but feel as though I was being taken in by a con artist.
Anyone have any information on this type of thing, legit, scam, or otherwise?
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Sorry can't help you figure out if it's legit. It does explain why I was half approached while walking to the subway by what looked like a college aged guy carrying a few of those scoop things. He almost talked to me then thought better of it I guess.
I've only been scammed maybe once, only a few thousand won outside Lotte Department store. The old box with pictures on it thing. After I gave the woman some money she covered up the box in a bag and disappeared. Brilliant! Pretty obvious after that fact.
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Dont ask questions about Charity in Korea. The last few times I asked quesitons, or pointed out huge gaping holes in someone's Charity idea I was dragged through the shit by a bunch of goodie goodies.
Common sense says be very skeptical in any country. Here I reccomend being triple so. Even the street vendors are something esle. Saw a woman chase one stray HodoGwaja that rolled off the top onto the street and push people out of the way to pick it up and put it back on the pile.
That was in plain view of everyone.
I really feel for the people missing limbs and other things, and maybe I'm wrong but with national health care there is an alternitive to beging. I mean you get paid just for having 3 kids in this nation. Just cant bring myself to put the money in, a person dragging themself through the street seems odd.
My advice for strangers at the door is to find a couple phrases in German, French, Spanish or whatever. Say them then add "Me No Engish" and quickly close the door. I highly doubt you're looking at the Korean equivlaent of Ed McMan.
(the 10 millin dollar door guy)
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
Re: What's with these "students" going door-to-door?
I just don't answer the door anymore. I can't it's becoming silly. Everyday there is someone there either trying to sell me shit I don't need or the j-witnesses offering me the watchtower. (don't ever take one of these or you will be on their visit list, just tell them you are catholic; that's worse than a blood transfusion to these mountebanks.
When they ring the bell the interphone lights up and I can see who I don't know. Sometimes they try to hide to the side or cover up the camera but that makes me even more furious to not answer.
Happy Holidays
Sincerely
Al