We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Should charities use chuggers?

Options
1246789

Comments

  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Assuming that the average chugger probably collects for around ten different charities (I admit that's a complete guess) during their employment, I wonder how many of them sign up to Direct Debits for all of the charities they promote? In fact, I wonder how many of then sign up to Direct Debits for any of the charities they promote? :think:
    There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
    It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
    In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
    Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
    Micheal Marra, 1952 - 2012
  • cottel7
    cottel7 Posts: 18 Forumite
    Just wanted to say how much I support Doc Bones, and I will take this approach in the future. If anyone is tempted to make a donation to a chugger, stop for a minute, note their charity and if possible walk into their high street shop and give them the 12 quid you were going to give the chugger. This way it will go directly to the charity. (I appreciate not all charities have a high street shop!)
  • Doc_Bones
    Doc_Bones Posts: 5 Forumite
    Better still, (Cottel or anyone else) if you have the time and are looking to give to charity, stop and talk to the chugger. Use their time and let them talk to you about the charity, find out everything you want to know about that charity and the way they work and decide if they are the kind of charity you want to give to. That way, the charity get increased exposure, which a lot of smaller charities are desperate for and part of the reason why they get taken in by the marketing.

    Then, politely thank the chugger for their time and explain to them that you will contact the charity yourself and make your donation that way. If they truely care about the job they are doing or the charity that are are fundraising for, they will approve of this and support your move. More than likely though, they will try and persuade you that it is better for the charity if you sign up via them. This is not the case.

    Take their time, get what you want from them, make your decision to give or not to give. Then go home look up the charity in question on the net and get in touch with them about a direct debit or a one off donation. This is the only way that most charities can benefit from using companies who use chuggers.
  • laughing_cow
    laughing_cow Posts: 597 Forumite
    tsingting wrote:
    ....... There are some fantastic people out there who do talk to charity fundraisers. Who don't feel hassled and will give just a few moments out of their precious day to listen to a story about someone or something far less fortunate than themselves and then go on to make a donation to charity. Yes, it might be hard taking five minutes out of your precious time to think about something more important than shopping/rushing to a meeting/going down the pub etc., but perhaps, especially in today's less caring society, it's time well spent.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this presuming that just because someone doesn't like chuggers that they don't give to charity and don't take the time to consider those less fortunate? Personally, I do donate to charity regularly and I've taken part in events (eg I was sponsored to climb a mountain and raised £3k, all of which went directly to the charity.). However, I do object to their sometimes 'full on' approach and their method of expecting people to give their personal details to a total stranger in the street.

    It's also worth adding, that for those of us who don't have vast amounts of cash to donate, one of the most valuable things you can give to a charity is your time. You can either help with fundraising or perhaps to do something more hands on, such as conservation projects, delivering meals to sick/elderly or becoming a mentor, which can take as little time as an hour or two a week. Timebank http://www.timebank.org.uk/ gives lots of useful information about volunteering.
  • Thefunkygibbons
    Thefunkygibbons Posts: 1,381 Forumite
    The trouble with fund raising is that something works and they all jump in, hence having to run the gaunlet

    I really need to rationalise my giving, as it has grown over the years
  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    laughing cow makes a very good point. We choose which charities we give to after careful consideration and never give in the street or on the doorstep. That does not make us mean and I resent the implication.
    There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
    It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
    In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
    Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
    Micheal Marra, 1952 - 2012
  • holstar
    holstar Posts: 826 Forumite
    what I find most annoying about these charity collecters is the belief that their charity is the best. I will willingly give to charity, but to a charity of my own choice, in a way which I choose.

    I have a few 'pet' charities, which I give to frequently, and another few charities to which I will give for specific fund-raising drives etc.

    One 'chugger' who I said 'no thankyou' to shouted down the street after me 'uncaring c**t, what about the whales??'...
    1) shouting abuse after me isn't exactly going to make me turn round and donate loads to the charity either then or now
    2) I do care about whales....but they are much lower down the 'list' of charities than those I do give to. I personally put clean water for everyone above whales...whether thats right or wrong is irrelevant, its MY choice...doesn't mean that I'm uncaring

    I realise that for some people its a job...but not one that I could do myself.
    One thing...that sets pulses racing...that gets hearts pounding...for which there is no substitute...only YOU can provide...blood.

    Only 5% of the eligible population give blood: do something amazing today, save a life, give blood
  • urban_spirit
    urban_spirit Posts: 1,834 Forumite
    I am always accosted by chuggers in my local town centre. There's only 1 'high street' and on an average day there are between 5 and 8 chuggers.

    Up until recently I gave to a few charities by dd each month, and now give as much as I can, when I can due to an extremely limited budget.

    I've tried the 'no thanks, I already give to charity' approach which is usually met by the chugger hopping or walking sideways to keep up with me, to explain their way is better.

    I've tried 'no thanks' which some accept, but others have stood infront of me to ask why i've said 'no thanks'. One or two have tried to lay a guilt trip with the underlying current of it being 'you don't care' - which incidentally is totally the opposite of me. One got quite agitated with me and I felt a bit scared of him.

    I am a caring person who's always got time for people, but chuggers are working for a business 1st and charity 2nd, and I wouldn't expect e.g. any utility company to approach me in this way.

    To benefit a charity the most, give directly to them - cut out the middle man. There is a 'gift aid' form you can complete which increases what the charity receives from you, as they can reclaim tax on your donations.
    Click here for full details GIFT AID

    Hope this helps
    A Fendi Baguette is not a sandwich.....
    BB B*tch no4 Today I will be mostly listeneing to: Puressence
    Not all disabilities are visible


  • mieke
    mieke Posts: 5 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I have joined the Forum for the sole reason of wishing to put my two-pennies worth in on this subject.

    Advice to those who object: a friendly smile, a polite 'no, thank you' or even
    'I already donate' - and God forbids ' have a nice day' as you walk on - invariably deals effectively with chuggers!

    Don't get so worked up! You must be saving money through this website and instead of moaning about chuggers, why not give half of every saving you make to charity? Then you can justifiably say that you 'already donate'.

    I have been working in CEO positions for several charities for the past 18 years and have always been responsible for bringing in the money. I therefore know how incredibly hard it is to bring in enough year on year - especially when you are a smaller size charity with an unfashionable cause (does homelessness appeal to you - or working with young offenders? or would you rather give to those poor donkeys?).

    I have not used chuggers as the firms who employs them usually work with the bigger and more well-known charities. But I have used 'door knockers' - who work on the same basis and who earn similar amounts of commission.

    And of course one expects to have to pay for people recruiting more donors!! Why should those who work to raise money for charity not be paid a decent amount? It is a job! Are you telling me that a car salesman should do his/her job for free also? Charity workers have bills to pay like everyone else and the salaries tend to be way below what we could earn in the commerical sector!

    I can assure you that the Direct Debit schemes (combined with Gift Aid) that chuggers and door knockers try to persuade you to sign up for are a God send to charities!!

    It allowed one of the charities I worked for to plan ahead (as the drop-out rate was very, very low) for several years and to increase its valuable work very significantly! And the amount of commission was insignificant compared to the returns!

    I have personally never come across a chugger who did not respond in a friendly manner to my response as suggested above! Try it and find out for yourself and then find it in your heart to give something to charity - be it by Direct Debit, in a collection tin or by donating your time!! Too poor??? Not so poor that you cannot afford a computer or be on-line!! Stop moaning about this subject and do something positive instead!!

    Mieke
  • urban_spirit
    urban_spirit Posts: 1,834 Forumite
    I would hope sweeping generalisations are not made about personal circumstances of posters on MSE.
    A Fendi Baguette is not a sandwich.....
    BB B*tch no4 Today I will be mostly listeneing to: Puressence
    Not all disabilities are visible


This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.