Should chuggers be allowed to target the financially vulnerable?

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I am genuinely shocked at the stories of the aggressive tone they can take, and the comments about personal finances. I just say No Thanks and carry on walking stridently past; I've never given any of them a chance to continue conversing so had no idea they talked to people like that.

If a chugger seriously makes sarcastic remarks about your shopping and personal expenditure then you should write to the charity they represent, your MP (some boroughs are thinking of banning them) and your local rag. Since when has it been acceptable to harangue strangers about how they spend their money?

katejo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I think that people should bear in mind that, annoying as they are, they're only people trying to earn an honest living, just like the rest of us.

I'd rather starve on stale bread and water than do that job. One day I might speak to one of them just to say "I have nothing against you personally but I will NEVER donate to a chugger in the street because I detest this way of collecting.

Saturnalia

One knocked on my door a few months ago as I was on my way out and while I was telling her no, I couldn't spare 5 mins, I was running late... the kitten made a dive out if the door and went sniffing round the front garden. I had to shout at her to get out of the way so I could get the cat back in! (She was standing in a way that blocked the pathway). She was canvassing for RSPCA too, lol!

The town centre ones, I've now perfected the technique of giving them a curt nod and "alright" when they speak and carrying on walking at a brisk trot with my head up and eyes ahead. Like "Tube nutters" they don't get the go away signals and any politeness is taken as encouragement.

I spoke to one chugger a few months back (had nothing more urgent to do that day lol) and explained I was out of work, on JSA & LHA, how much I got per week and what my rent was per week, and she gave me the card for her company, saying they were currently recruiting and tht she earnt over £300 a week after taxes!!! There were a fair few of them chugging the street at the time - how many £5 per month direct debits would be needed just to cover their wage bill?

Another one I remember getting me at a weak moment, I had change and would happily have put £1 or so in a bucket, but they wanted to take my bank details, address & phone number and they would send me a postcard advertising the charity. I didn't want a card, didn't want to give out my address and simply wanted to give a one-off donation at a level I could afford, but that wasn't an option, so they got 0.

danothy

Saturnalia wrote: »

"Tube nutters"

Sometimes referred to as "bus-mentals" (bus not required for bus-mentaling).

SHIPSHAPE

No, Cheggars should not target the financial vulnerable, he should stick to playing pop.

Alex-Riley.

I scared a chugger away this was after they saw me entering and leaving the job centre one came up to me and I tried being polite and saying I couldn't afford it he was like it's just £5 a month I got really angry and just said if you don't leave me the eff alone I will punch you

RadoJo

I don't understand why anyone would give their bank details to a stranger, whether that's on the street, their doorstep or anywhere else. I am constantly amazed that there is enough business in chugging to make the practice worth continuing for any charity, but if it works, then I can see why they do. I'm not sure that it's realistic to expect chuggers to know who is financially vulnerable just by looking though, so whilst I support the idea that they shouldn't pressurise them to donate, it would be impossible to enforce anything that would make this practical.

richardvc

Just say 'no thanks' and no they shouldn't be banned.

If you feel bad afterwards that is your own guilt creeping in and you feeling that perhaps you should have given money etc etc

Don't make up excuses - just say no !

We all give (or not) to charities for reasons that are personal to us.

I give to tin-shakers partly because they are usually volunteers who 'get out there' and do it - whereas the chuggers just get ignored and I don't feel guilty about it at all.

fluffnutter

richardvc wrote: »

I give to tin-shakers partly because they are usually volunteers who 'get out there' and do it - whereas the chuggers just get ignored and I don't feel guilty about it at all.

+1. There's a world of difference between some old dear standing in the freezing cold holding a charity tin and looking expectant and some tabard-wearing, grinning nob bounding up to you when you're walking along looking murderous waving their stupid dreadlocks at you.

richardvc

fluffnutter wrote: »

+1. There's a world of difference between some old dear standing in the freezing cold holding a charity tin and looking expectant and some tabard-wearing, grinning nob bounding up to you when you're walking along looking murderous waving their stupid dreadlocks at you.

No there isn't - you have freedom of choice to give or not.

Whose purse/wallet is it coming from ?

We need to toughen up a bit. One thing I have learned from being in debt - in order to pay it back, no-one and I mean no-one would ever control my outgoings except me.

BTW, your description of the chugger made me laugh !!:)