Should chuggers be allowed to target the financially vulnerable?

Gavin83

Normally a simple 'no thanks' without stopping does the trick. I don't really see the point in being rude.

However I've had some jump in front of me, follow me, hold my hand and put their arm round me. These get a more rude aggressive response. It's only ever been the women who are persistant though but I'm thinking this might be because I'm male. The fact they're willing to flirt and use their womanly charms to get guys to sign up shocks me a little.

Never signed up though, I do my bit for charity off my own back.

OneYorkshireLass

This thread reminded me of the brilliant sketch by Armstrong and Miller - 'the origins of ... charity'

dizziblonde

richardvc wrote: »

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.

If they only TOOK a polite "no thanks" and left you alone. But no, they badger, they harass, they attempt to publicly embarass you, some try to grab you (not on) or block your path (also not on)... the ones that chug off at the noise of a polite "no thank you" few people have problems with - it's the yobbo rent-a-tabard smarm merchant crew who think they're on an Apprentice selling task that annoy people.

Saturnalia

And they hunt in packs spread across the pavement so once you're past the first one, the other 5 try to grab you. I imagine if you are old, ill or otherwise vulnerable that it could be a tad scary.

esmy

I work in the centre of a small town and have to run the gauntlet up to five times a day to get to my works car park - so tried and tested tips to get rid of them if a polite 'No Thanks' doesn't seem acceptable:
Offer cash - they aren't allowed to accept it. Express your surprise and disappointment when they tell you this.
If you're female avoid the males and vice versa - they definitely target the opposite sex.
Tell them you work for a similar charity (eg NSPCC get told you work for Barnardos)
Ask them how much they earn - they usually won't say - therefore you aren't willing to share your financial details either.
Tell them you signed up with their mate (who will be about 50 yards away, just too far to be able to say you didn't)
Tell Sky/Virgin/N power that you're already with them - if thy ask if you're happy with the service say'Yes'
Keep moving whilst employing any of the above.

Juliann

My mother managed to terrify one that came to the door last year, he said hello have you heard about McMillian Nurses, she answered yes I had one when I had cancer, he just stood there not daring to say another word and ran for it as soon as he remembered how to use his legs, my mother was completely baffled as she thought she'd given given a perfectly reasonable response.

p.s. the cancer was five years ago she seems to be ok now.

nonnatus

The ones on the street are easily dealt with - I give a big smile, wave and say "I'm already a member / I contribute £X a month already / I bought it from your fellow chugger down the road etc"
They are instantly uninterested.

The ones I have a real problem with is the young people who stand at supermarket checkouts offering to pack in return for a donation.
Firstly they are TERRIBLE at packing and stuff gets squashed etc.
Secondly, they make you feel almost embarrassed to decline as they stand there anyway and watch me pack my own stuff.
I have taken to saying to them that I don't want their help packing but will make a small donation anyway. I invariably "forget" the donation and scuttle away.
I donate privately to 2 charities that I believe in and just HATE this culture of being "CHUGGED"

littlepinky84

Just tell the chuggers that you dont have a bank account, it usually works. I have had them ask if i access to OH bank umm no!