VENT On street charity workers

MaggieBaking

A few years ago, when it felt like the beginning of the phenomenon of commissioned chuggers I was walking down the High Street when I was accosted. At the time I didn't realise it was for a monthly-set up. I was genuinely interested in the charity, willing to make a one off payment only to be told that they didn't allow any, and nor could you make a one off payment online (the lying ****) I said I wasn't really sure about committing as I didn't know what my finances allowed, but that he made a really great case for the charity and I would look into it and get back to him the next day.

During the conversation, he noticed my shiny new, quite expensive Radley handbag and he commented "Oh that's a nice bag, where did you get it from?"

Obviously his intention was some form of guilt trip about how I can afford lovely designer items. In my naivety I completely misread it and told him where, asked him why. He ended up mumbling that he was thinking about his Mum's birthday coming up and I started nattering on about how much I loved the bag and the range etc :rotfl: Off I went talking more about how I came about it, and how he should buy something similar.

Little did he know my Mother's a travel agent for guilt trips so I am completely immune to them!

It was only about a year later did it finally twig exactly what he was trying to achieve. At least I wasted his time with inane rabble in the same way he wasted mine.

lexuslass

I must be so naive!!

It wasn't until reading this thread that I realised that these people get commission and aren't just being nice and volunteering their time!!!

We have a local cancer hospice .... and a lot of people raise an awful lot of money for it year in year out... My mums neighbour works there and a couple of years ago they 'made over' the staff room............ apparently £50 per roll of wallpaper!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

WHY??

BKAT_9

I completely appreciate they are annoying, I think they really let themselves down when they stand in a line so its like street charity worker bowling down the high street. However I really do not understand how we can all come on this forum wishing to save money and then begrundge individuals that are trying to do the same. This is a job, a paid one. I really cant see the sense in then berating them for collecting that payment? It is not a voluntary position! Hate to shock you but Oxfam et al are not run solely on goodwill!! I really doubt that this type of employment is a career move, I suspect that most people doing this role are really in need of the money. I wanted to give to a particular charity and actually hunted out the street rep - I thought it would be a double 'good deed for the day' - giving the charity money and the individual person some cash in their pocket through the commission.

Similarly I always find it remarkable that people take a pop at the wages of the figureheads of large corporations - which include many charities. It you think these multi-million pound organisations can be run by CEO's on minimum wage you are completely underestimating the magnitude of the task. The people that run them are hugely qualified, you can't pay pittance and expect the best people for the job. These people have living expenses too and I should image that by the time they have reached that senior level they have a certain standard of life and have financially commited themselves. However I think it is an acknowledged fact that you do generally take a big pay hit when you move corporate to chairty work. I completely agree that they need to speculate to accumulate, I want my money to be managed by the best people qualified!

wendy_the_goat

I have perfected the "Harassed Mother" look as a deterrent to chuggers.
If we see one approaching, my kids will start to whine and cry and pull on me and i'll *tell them off*. Most chuggers then steer clear and those foolhardy enough to attempt conversation get the death stare.
Once we are clear my kids go back to behaving normally and we get on with our shopping.

Azari

MaggieBaking wrote: »

Little did he know my Mother's a travel agent for guilt trips

Priceless!

charlie-chan

They are also terrible in Derby. If I am wearing my work uniform, they try and read my name badge.. which I refuse to pin on my work jacket for that very reason lol. I know that they have a job to do but I have a job to go to as well.

I donate to the smaller charities such as PDSA with my clothing items because I cannot afford to pay money . I did some research on charities during my college course and it was shocking to see how much some charities spent on advertising etc.

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

I can't believe how people find these leaches difficult to deal with. Don't make eye contact for starters, don't slow down when they approach, don't stand around getting chatted up by one of them. It's all basic stuff, just say "sorry" as they approach with their opening sales pitch and keep walking, don't even make eye contact just trea them with the derision they deserve. If feeling extra confident tell them to !!!! off as you walk by, treating them like the scum that they are.

soothyerboots

Ronaldo_Mconaldo wrote: »

I can't believe how people find these leaches difficult to deal with. Don't make eye contact for starters, don't slow down when they approach, don't stand around getting chatted up by one of them. It's all basic stuff, just say "sorry" as they approach with their opening sales pitch and keep walking, don't even make eye contact just trea them with the derision they deserve. If feeling extra confident tell them to !!!! off as you walk by, treating them like the scum that they are.

They are not all scum though are they. In fact with the attitude you have, I'd be quicker to label YOU scum to be honest.

Azari

jfh7gwa wrote: »

There's a string of these people on the route that I walk to work on (main shopping street in the city). They always have an answer, don't they?

I normally ignore them (I'm always on my way to or from work, not exactly a leisurely tourist or someone on their day off - I just want to be left in peace!).. but on the odd occasion they have collared me, they always have a smart reply... examples:

me: "Sorry, I'm in a hurry"
them: "Too busy to save the children?"

or

me: "I don't give to charities except if I approach them, sorry"
them: "but how do you know what good work we do if I don't explain it to you?"

or

me: "No! Just no!"
them: "I just wanted to have a chat with you about the starving penguins / badgers / rodents / other furry animal here" [looks hurt and personally offended]


argh!

I managed to get a good comeback comeback once:

Me: I'm sorry, I can't afford any more of these monthly contributions.
Him: Have you ever thought about helping children.
Me: Well, I hope that my monthly subs to Amnesty, Oxfam, and Water Aid will help children.

He didn't have a reply.

arcon5

Me: Sorry, don't have time.
Him: Have you ever thought about helping children?
Me: Not really.

This always shuts them up