Charities posting envelopes for donations

?What is the protocol if charities leave envelopes for charitable donations and leave a date for calling back for them. I don't want to give the envelope back empty as I would feel guilty but I give to my favourite charities as and when I can. I could not answer the door maybe put a note with my feelings on the subject. Anyone any ideas what to do?
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  • System
    System Posts: 178,312 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    oliveoil99 wrote: »
    ?What is the protocol if charities leave envelopes for charitable donations and leave a date for calling back for them. I don't want to give the envelope back empty as I would feel guilty but I give to my favourite charities as and when I can. I could not answer the door maybe put a note with my feelings on the subject. Anyone any ideas what to do?

    If you feel guilty about handing it back empty I am unsure why you wouldn't feel guilty about sticking a note on the door telling them you won't give them anything!

    Just fill it with coppers if you are worried. The point of the envelope is to make it anonymous. Personally I usually just stick a couple of quid in and hand it back!
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Abbafan1972
    Abbafan1972 Posts: 7,135 Forumite
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    It's a long time since we've had envelopes pushed through the door for money, it's usually charity shop bags for unwanted goods.

    Anything like that just goes in the bin in my house, you don't know if the people are genuine. Anyone can just put an envelope through the door asking for money!
    Striving to clear the mortgage before it finishes in Dec 2028 - amount currently owed - £29,419.76
  • Littleweedj
    Littleweedj Posts: 213 Forumite
    I have a few charities that I wish to support and it's just not possible to give money to every charity which requests it, be it a tv appeal, envelopes through the letterbox, personal caller etc.

    However, I do feel a bit guilty if I get a letter through the post with a 'free' gift inside and a heart rendering story. If I don't donate then feel I shouldn't be using the gift even if it's only a cheap pen or address labels.

    But, as above, how do you know, if the envelopes come from a genuine source and what percentage of the donation actually reaches the target.

    Usually I just say I have my own personal choice of charities and give to them as and when I decide. I also like to give via gift aid so they can pay less tax on the donation but when you provide an address it seems the requests then become more frequent.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,312 Community Admin
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    When the collector comes round they have an official badge saying they are legitimate. At the end of the day you just have to trust they don't nick anything.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • gb12345
    gb12345 Posts: 3,055 Forumite
    oliveoil99 wrote: »
    ?What is the protocol if charities leave envelopes for charitable donations and leave a date for calling back for them. I don't want to give the envelope back empty as I would feel guilty but I give to my favourite charities as and when I can. I could not answer the door maybe put a note with my feelings on the subject. Anyone any ideas what to do?

    My protocol is take envelope, open bin, insert envelope, close bin.

    If I happen to open the door to the collector then they will be told that I do not give to charities that try to guilt-trip me in to donating.
  • VitaK
    VitaK Posts: 651 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I bet the collector is used to people not giving donations.
  • bargainbetty
    bargainbetty Posts: 3,455 Forumite
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    You could download the MSE sign asking that cold callers, religious groups and charities do not disturb you. Anyone who sees a clear sign saying that you don't want unsolicited charity approaches deserves to have their envelope thrown away.
    Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps....
    LB moment - March 2006. DFD - 1 June 2012!!! DEBT FREE!



    May grocery challenge £45.61/£120
  • battleborn
    battleborn Posts: 516 Forumite
    put a dog turd in the envelope
  • PZH
    PZH Posts: 1,599 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    ..it's usually charity shop bags for unwanted goods....

    I love them - they make great kitchen bin bags thus saving ME money :rotfl:
    “That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.”
  • Abbafan1972
    Abbafan1972 Posts: 7,135 Forumite
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    phoodless wrote: »
    I love them - they make great kitchen bin bags thus saving ME money :rotfl:

    I find most of the charity bags have holes in them, so aren't any good as bin bags.
    Striving to clear the mortgage before it finishes in Dec 2028 - amount currently owed - £29,419.76
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