to think I may have been conned?

[ariane5]

We are a bit short of money so when I saw an. Ad on the local noticeboard of another parenting site about delivering some leaflets in the area I live I jumped at the chance.

I text the lady who seemed very pleasant and said it would be £40 for 1000 leaflets (I thought great £40=1 months dinner money for dd1). I have a double buggy and thought I could put 2 little ones in it and go for a walk and get them delivered.

The lady said she would drop half off, that I could contact when done and she would pay half then when I'd done the rest she would pay the other half.she seemed really nice, friendly and chatty. Dropped leaflets off and I delivered them some that day the rest the day after (and it was HARD work, did it over 2 days as dd2 wasn't well first aft). I let her know what roads as she had said she would be checking and said she would give me money and other half to deliver on sat.

She then said she wasn't well on sat and would be in touch in couple of days but I've heard nothing. I don't want to think I've been tricked as she was so nice, perhaps she is genuinely unwell and I'm just paranoid.

We really need the money and I will feel so stupid if I've been tricked.

Should I phone her? Or will I just look pushy and desperate, I was hoping they might let me deliver again as I'm so short of money and it would have helped us out but I'm really starting to think I will never hear from her again.if I have been tricked I'm obviously a bad judge of character as she seemed really genuine and nice.

AIBU to think I've been conned

[JumpingJackSprat]

Phone her i would! See what she says.

[ariane5]

I will do first thing, won't do it now as she said she had dcs and if she really is unwell I'd then feel bad!

Maybe I'm paranoid but I have a horrible feeling I've been tricked. I think it was just odd not being paid first but I sort of saw her point as for all she knew I could have just thrown all leaflets away and she wanted to check first before paying.

[HollyBerryBush]

What was the company on the leaflets?

You have her number, you must have a leaflet left, so phone her and tell her she coughs up or you are going to the police - it's a scam and you know it is

[ArgyMargy]

Definitely phone her - you have done the work and you expect to be paid. If she doesn't respond reasonably, tell her you will contact the police. It seems unlikely that it is a con, she is probably just disorganised and as you say, possibly unwell. But that doesn't mean she can abuse you.

[ali23]

You sound lovely. I hope everything gets sorted and you get your very hard earned cash. If not I'd definitely take it further, as others have suggested. Good luck. I know what it's like to be skint too!

[MalcolmTuckersMum]

Have you Googled her/the company just on the offchance there might be something there?

[ariane5]

I didn't have any leaflets but as I'd delivered to my road I asked my neighbour if she still had her one. I will google the company.

I will phone her in the morning and see what she says. Really hoping its just a case of genuine illness but I feel uneasy about the whole thing.

[ariane5]

Googled the company-seems genuine and I can't see anything untoward anywhere. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

[EatenByZombies]

YANBU, but I would ring her and see what's happened first so you don't seem mental if she IS just sick

[Wowserz129]

Don't wait on it and certainly don't deliver anything more without being paid! Phone and say you need it

[ariane5]

All ok, she has been in touch and is going to put the money and leaflets through my door.

So relieved and glad as she did seem genuinely nice (feel bit bad for doubting her now).

[BeckAndCall]

Have you thought of mentioning this on the website where you saw the original ad to see if others have found the same?

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Why is she putting them trhougb your door? Why not knock and hand them over?

[ariane5]

I am not in today as have hosp appts so she's putting them through my door.

[HibiscusIsland]

Good luck. Wait until you get the money before being relieved or feeling bad about doubting her!

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

That's right Hibiscus. And Ariane if the money isn't there when you get back from the hospital, call her back and tell her you're coming to get it.

[HibiscusIsland]

How long did it take you to deliver 500 leaflets OP?

[SavoyCabbage]

I hope it all works out for you.

[RenterNomad]

As for being "pushy": that's not pushy; it's being organised and proactive! Hope the money turns up!

[ariane5]

Money and more leaflets arrived (phew).

It took me ages I did 2 hours in the morning one day last wk then dd2 was ill so had to spend pretty much the whole of the next day doing them, stopping and starting depending on dcs. It was exhausting.

[ReluctantBeing]

Sounds like hard work but it'll keep you fit!
Why not try Avon or something?

[SpanishFly]

So 1.5 days work to do half of the leaflets, ie 20 quid? It DOES sound like a con to me.

[McNewPants2013]

I am glad you got paid, read the thread last night and was praying you would receive the money

[ariane5]

I think it just took me ages as had both dcs with me in double buggy and had to keep checking dd2 (she's diabetic).

We are desperate for money and 40 pounds will pay for 4 weeks school dinners for dd1 so although it is hard work for not much money its worth it.

I really didn't think itd be so hard though!

[PoppyWearer]

I've done some leaflet-dropping as a favour before and it's bloody hard work if you have a buggy with you - much quicker/easier without. But it sounds as if you've been paid a pittance for the amount of work put in.