VENT On street charity workers

Valli

Jimavfc82 wrote: »

If it makes a few people a bit irritated to better the lives of others than that is well worthwhile in my view.

They are working on commission - so the only lives they are bettering are their own. It's not like they are volunteers. And it IS annoying because they work in squadrons - so you can be asked, by reps from the same charity, a few times.

vikingaero

The "but it's a job" "would you rather they were unemployed" argument doesn't wash with me. Yes I would rather these people were on the dole finding a proper worthwhile job than one of these stopgap non-jobs.

Paddys flyers are absolutely correct. The amount paid to chuggers and the chugging organisation is disproportionate to the donation. If charities want to use pressure selling and dirty marketing tactics then that's their decision and their name that will be tarnished. If you want to sling mud don't be surprised when a lump is thrown back at you.

mysk_girl

There is a toll bridge near where I live, which I use regularly (5p toll so not breaking the bank!). On bank holidays they let the toll staff have the day off and let a charity stand there with buckets instead. Which I guess is a nice thing to do, but does sometimes mean you feel pressured into giving to a charity you wouldn't support. I once forgot it was a BH and had my 50p ready (to get 45p in 5p's for the next 9 crossings) and instead I was faced with a horse shelter charity bucket. This is not a charity I would support, and I got the same spiel about not caring. So I told her I only like horses when they are roasted, and I couldn't eat a whole one anyway, thankyou (old ones are the best!). The outraged humph I got was definitely worth it! To make things clear, I give money to 5 charities by DD every month, but I dislike feeling pressured into giving. Chuggers get short shrift here as well.

Wellery82

Valli wrote: »

They are working on commission - so the only lives they are bettering are their own. It's not like they are volunteers. And it IS annoying because they work in squadrons - so you can be asked, by reps from the same charity, a few times.

No - they may better their own lives but they also better others as part of the money will go to the charity. I agreed it can be irritating, but also think that charities have to be as proactive as they possibly can be.

If that means people are annoyed by it then so be it. Some people won't give to that charity, but ultimately it helps them get more money, which means that a worthwhile cause has more funding.

Most people, myself included, could give a lot more to charity if they wanted to, and it probably isn't the worst thing in the world having it pushed on us every so often

Wellery82

GlynD wrote: »

Proactive yes but not in your face. I want to give to a charity because I support the cause - not because I've been virtually forced to.

I agree with you in that i want to give because i support a charity and am not forced into it. That said however if them using these tactics gets them more money then clearly it is the tactic they will use, and i can't knock them for that.

I do appreciate it is irritating, but also think its the right thing for them to do

kajstring24

GlynD wrote: »

Proactive yes but not in your face. I want to give to a charity because I support the cause - not because I've been virtually forced to.

Couldn't agree more. The 'too busy for the children' comments from them wind me up as well. I don't appreciate being guilt-tripped into donating money. It's emotional manipulation. Forcing people to feel something so they step up and donate. I'll give money on my own terms thanks.

BKAT_9

vikingaero wrote: »

The "but it's a job" "would you rather they were unemployed" argument doesn't wash with me. Yes I would rather these people were on the dole finding a proper worthwhile job than one of these stopgap non-jobs.

So being employed to raise money for charity isnt a 'proper job'?? It is an essential funding stream to keep the charities going. No funding = no charity.

go_cat

Going home from work i have to walk past them most nights and I have found holding a phone to your ear works wonders so far 100% success at avoiding them talking to me :T

BoGoF

BKAT_9 wrote: »

So being employed to raise money for charity isnt a 'proper job'?? It is an essential funding stream to keep the charities going. No funding = no charity.

Thats bollox, the first years direct debit payments will go straight to these leeches.

If Joe Public knew how much these guys 'earned' before the charity saw a penny not one would sign up.

The last time one of these chumps accosted me I asked how much he would get, surprisingly he moved on to his next victim.

missesther

Ok I'm going to get shot down now but I feel much the same way about Comic Relief and Children in Need. I like that they're raising money for others but they're essentially charities taking money to distribute to other charities. Why can't I choose which of those charities gets my money and how much of it?

Please tell me I'm wrong and actually they're a charity that are doing something unique compared to the other ones and I won't feel like such a grumpy woman.