Big Issue Sellers

lisa_cee

i have never bought a big issue because how do you know if theyre really homeless ? i overheard a guy saying to someone outside woolworths in argyle street im not homeless ive got a wee house i do this a bit extra !
so i will never buy a big issue although when asked i do say no thanks rather thatn ignoring them

lipidicman

Even if the seller isnt homeless 'The Big Issue [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]aims to Invest profits in services to help homeless people' according to their website. Still, you can choose which seller you buy from.
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Swattie

As far as I'm aware, Big Issue sellers are supposed to be homeless.

I used to buy a copy regularly from a local seller in the town centre. He was always really chatty and I got to know him quite well. After a couple of years he told me he was handing over his pitch to another seller as he had been given council accommodation (he was disabled) and as he would no longer be homeless it was only fair that he passed it on to someone who needed it more than he did.

He also said that only the homeless were supposed to sell it, as they couldn;t claim benefits - but many sellers did have accommodation, but didn't report it and carried on selling as they could make a good living and also claim benefits.

I wish there were more like him.