We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Check-Out Round Up
Options

Grumpy_chap
Posts: 18,273 Forumite


I am sure this is done with good intentions, but I am a bit concerned that certain venues (I have particularly noted the local pub and supermarket) have taken to offering a "round up" when paying by card. (For clarity, the pub and the supermarket are two separate venues, but both parts of large chains.)
The way these "round-up" transactions are offered, they make it almost the default selection to do the "round up" and to not include it is the 'thought about' option. This process seems to have a number of flaws:
I emphasise that I am not against supporting charities, and I realise it is particularly hard for them in the current coronavirus climate, but this "round-up" route seems as bad as it is good.
The way these "round-up" transactions are offered, they make it almost the default selection to do the "round up" and to not include it is the 'thought about' option. This process seems to have a number of flaws:
- It could result in those that cannot afford the "round up" doing so by default, particularly if in a hurry or otherwise partially distracted.
- The giving to charity is no longer optional and out of free-will, but out of false pretenses.
- It is not clear which charity will benefit from the donation. When did large retail businesses become the 'gate-keeper' of what is, or is not, a worthy cause?
- When large businesses make charity donations, they tend to do so with some fan-fare and seek to earn "marketing value" from the transaction. The funds collected through this "round up" is not the company's money though, it is our money that is held on our behalf to give to a charity. We should not have to pay for the retailer's social responsibility policy and marketing advantage.
I emphasise that I am not against supporting charities, and I realise it is particularly hard for them in the current coronavirus climate, but this "round-up" route seems as bad as it is good.
0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards