Rules governing doorstep charity collectors

Billie-S

sedment wrote: »

I just dont answer the door. If people are coming to my door asking me for money, donations for charity bags or signing up for direct debits, they can knock all they like but I firmly believe that your home is your castle and its your right to please yourself as to whom you answer the door to. Im at home with two little ones and dont feel all that safe answering the door at half eight/nine just for someone to try and guilt trip me into giving away my money. I give to which charities I see fit.

Same here. And I do get massively irked by doorstep collectors too. As a few people have mentioned, I HATE it when they try and talk to you as if they know you, and start commenting on your home and garden and lifestyle, and children.

The chuggers p*ss me off. Whenever I go out with my 2 young adult daughters (18 and 19,) we often get some jack-the-lad trying to flatter us and compliment us. They literally jump in front, and say to one (or both) of my daughters 'is this yer sister?' with a wink of the eye. Barf! And if it's a girl doing it, you get 'hello, how are you today? Well I hope.' And if it's an animal charity, you get 'do you like animals?' !!!!!!, who DOESN'T like animals? What a stupid question!

The other week, we were in the back garden, about 8 of us, having drinks and a meal because it was a lovely warm evening, (at about 8pm,) and these 2 cheeky buggars (male, about 30,) tapped on the back gate and let themselves into our back garden! 'Sorry to bother you: we're not selling anything...' My husband said 'you have GOT to be kidding! Then he literally ushered them out and just said 'Out out out out out out out!'

I agree with the majority here. I detest charity collectors.

For the record, we do give to five different charities of our choice through the bank.

srcandas

Sadly what the valid charity collectors do is the best method they have to raise money. So I for sure understand. It works.

But as many say underhand tactics are a real pain.

But I feel the best solution is if people are honest and just tell them they either don't like the method of rasing money or do not wish to donate.

Inventing 'unemployed' or 'I already donate' I think doesn't help; even if true. Be polite, be clear, then close the door.

Sympathies of course to those who have genuine fear of answering their own door but that is a different social problem.

Herongull

We used to have a problem with a bloke who kept coming round our area "collecting" for some unspecified children's charity. He came late evenings after dark and sometimes got aggressive if people didn't donate. We reported him to the local police and am pleased to say he hasn't been back.

Even with genuine charity collectors, a big chunk of what you pay goes to pay the collector rather than to charity.

I also have issues with people being given a free holiday by the charity if they raise enough money in sponsorship. I am not averse to sponsoring people to do runs, walks or cycle rides but only if all the money goes to the cause.

People doing sponsored events for charity should pay all the expenses of the event out of their own pocket - there are plenty of legit sponsored events where this happens so why should I pay for someone to have a free parachute jump or a holiday walking The Great Wall of China?

Indie_Kid

Herongull wrote: »

People doing sponsored events for charity should pay all the expenses of the event out of their own pocket - there are plenty of legit sponsored events where this happens so why should I pay for someone to have a free parachute jump or a holiday walking The Great Wall of China?

I agree. This is what I do. I pay the entry fee, travel, hotel, etc. and all the money goes to the charity. I don't like donating to those who are using some (they never say how much) to pay for their trip. I was a bit miffed a few years ago when a friend said he was doing a skydive, only to discover that a lot of the money was paying for the sky dive.

ollyshaw

We've had a spate of them recently. They really wind me up. Sales people at the door working for a CEO who's most likely earning north of £150k per year.

My question is; who's signing up for direct debits on the door step? Please stop it and the chuggers will go away. As mentioned here, if you want to support the charity do it online or through some non chugger route.

Pollycat

The other day, I heard a knock on my front door.
I went downstairs & couldn't see anyone through the half glass.
Lo & behold, when I opened the door, there was a young girl skulking out of view.
She had a Cancer Research T-shirt on and before she could get into her spiel, I told her I already contributed by DD (I do) & was not willing to increase that.
I also told her that hiding away did not do her or the charity that employed her any favours.

trollopscarletwoman

I love those charity bags that come through the letterbox.

They make great liners in the peddle bin.

Buzzybee90

One of them outstretched their hand in the shopping centre the other day (instinctively I shock it!) and they wouldn't let me go :mad:

PenguinOfDeath

I was accosted the other day as soon as I got out of my car after work but a group of three trying to get me to sign up for 'free' solar panels. Just as bad as the charity chuggers, they were even using the guilt trip tactics such as 'well the neighbours at both sides of you have signed up'. Funny, as one wasn't home yet!

egoode

I get irritated by them coming at night but as I work at home I find it more annoying when they knock during the day. I was actually expecting someone to come around one day but didn't know what time they would get there so went down and answered the door even though I was in the middle of a conference call at the time (luckily I didn't need to contribute too much). When I saw it was a charity collector before they could even get started I said sorry I was expecting someone else or I wouldn't have answered I'm not interested and don't return.