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Original poster

To report NSPCC child line?

109 replies

familyportrait · 30/01/2025 18:11

Every Thursday after I take DD to her swimming lesson, and after her lesson I take her to WHSmiths for a magazine as a treat then walk home. Every single week I am HOUNDED by the NSPCC to set up a direct debit.
Now I am not charity shy and I donate to certain causes each month but I don't expect to be hounded. Today (6th week in a row) they cornered me and actually stood in front of the shop door making it hard to leave. They practically cornered me and my pre school aged child. I said to them that I do not want to commit to setting up a direct debit. They then probed and said 'why?' I said because it's not something I'm looking for. These two men then said 'well why not, you're helping children!' I said again, I don't want to set up a direct debit. I may think about an online one time donation. But that wasn't enough. He then said 'well you can afford it, you come in here every week and buy your daughter a magazine so you can set up a direct debit!' I then snapped and said 'no, my finances are fucked, I can't afford it, now please get out of my way!' (My finances are not fucked, I was just trying to think of something to get them to piss off!)

He then winced and put his hands up to his ears and said 'don't swear in front of your child.' And tried to guilt trip me! They didn't intimidate me but I can absolutely see how they would an elderly person or a vulnerable person. WIBU to complain about them? They've really annoyed me!

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 31/01/2025 07:36

Never feel guilty for anything you do or say to a chugger OP.

FunGreenAnt · 31/01/2025 07:32

familyportrait · 30/01/2025 18:11

Sorry to be clear? The NSPCC has a stall set up in WHSmiths door way.

How about telling them you already give to X charity next time, that’s what I do

WhateverEh · 31/01/2025 07:32

Also report them to the council who should have oversight of street sellers

WhateverEh · 31/01/2025 07:31

Just say no and keep walking away, don’t stop. If they are in your way ask them to move. Don’t stop walking.

also write to WHSmiths, the local manager and the central office

write to the nspcc

RunningJo · 31/01/2025 07:28

I had this issue with Guide Dogs for the Blind. They followed me out of the shop constantly talking about setting up a Direct Debit. They were incredibly pushy despite being told no.

Namechangeforthis88 · 31/01/2025 07:26

I haven't seen any for a while, I'm planning to tell them about a charity I'm involved with and persuade them to set up a direct debit for that. I will be very passionate about my cause.

Viviennemary · 31/01/2025 07:25

Say sorry I do not sign up for any charity that uses methods like this. If you continue I will report you for harrassment.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 31/01/2025 07:18

Tell them you already have a direct debit with them.

That strategy works with any chuggers.

TheNeverEndingOver · 31/01/2025 07:06

familyportrait · 30/01/2025 21:20

Haha I was in the Farnham WHSmiths. They've been there for weeks. Perhaps it's only a Thursday but they've been in for every Thursday since before Christmas. Pain in the bloody arse as I use the post office inside there a lot and like you it really puts me off.

I'd really like to know if these twats are donating from their own salary. (Of course they won't be..)

The 'hello madam how are you today' is so false. They don't give a shit how I am and I hate small talk for the sake of it. I know everyone's got a job to do but if you actually want to help children, go and help them, not hound and pester folk going about there day.

Rant over!

Show quote history

Yup, we live in the same place! Very intrusive and forceful how they placed themselves - one each side of the door to enter/exit the shop. Luckily, they were busy with another woman/child when I left the shop, so I managed to avoid an interaction! I'll avoid going in with DD then

MumChp · 31/01/2025 06:42

fairyup · 31/01/2025 06:41

Do they work on commission does anyone know ?

They do, yes.

fairyup · 31/01/2025 06:41

Do they work on commission does anyone know ?

fairyup · 31/01/2025 06:40

Yes absolutely report.

I actually canceled my nspcc subscription when an incredibly forceful twat turned up at my door 2 days in a row and asked me for proof I donated after I explained I already have a monthly DD

MumChp · 31/01/2025 06:32

Talk to them in a foreign language if you can. It works pretty good. They leave you alone. No one understands my Scandinavian.

And yes complain.

ridl14 · 31/01/2025 06:25

familyportrait · 30/01/2025 18:11

Every Thursday after I take DD to her swimming lesson, and after her lesson I take her to WHSmiths for a magazine as a treat then walk home. Every single week I am HOUNDED by the NSPCC to set up a direct debit.
Now I am not charity shy and I donate to certain causes each month but I don't expect to be hounded. Today (6th week in a row) they cornered me and actually stood in front of the shop door making it hard to leave. They practically cornered me and my pre school aged child. I said to them that I do not want to commit to setting up a direct debit. They then probed and said 'why?' I said because it's not something I'm looking for. These two men then said 'well why not, you're helping children!' I said again, I don't want to set up a direct debit. I may think about an online one time donation. But that wasn't enough. He then said 'well you can afford it, you come in here every week and buy your daughter a magazine so you can set up a direct debit!' I then snapped and said 'no, my finances are fucked, I can't afford it, now please get out of my way!' (My finances are not fucked, I was just trying to think of something to get them to piss off!)

He then winced and put his hands up to his ears and said 'don't swear in front of your child.' And tried to guilt trip me! They didn't intimidate me but I can absolutely see how they would an elderly person or a vulnerable person. WIBU to complain about them? They've really annoyed me!

I temped in fundraising before (was never one of the ones doing the actual street fundraising) but there's very strict regulation around it, please report! They should never be using guilt tripping language and outrageous they stood in your way - they're not allowed to take more than 3 steps walking alongside you either.

Should be to the Fundraising Regulator -charities should be mystery shopping their fundraisers to check they're not breaking the rules and harassing people or they get fined. It's an awful business really, high turnover among street fundraisers if they don't meet targets so lots of pressure to harass people

NewYearStillFat · 31/01/2025 06:25

I find the best way to get rid of them is to say you already support their charity.

NewYearStillFat · 31/01/2025 06:24

Sounds awful OP - definitely complain.

Vates · 31/01/2025 06:21

I'm glad you reported them. I used to hate going into town when the chuggers were out. I used to be polite to start with and just say 'no, thank you' but they would follow me down the street asking questions. Thankfully we haven't had any in our city centre for a long time now.

Plopandflop · 31/01/2025 03:46

Say to them when they ask if you care or not about kids just say “oh so you are doing this for free are you, for the good of the kids because if you are taking a commission then is a bit two faced to be having a go at me for not donating”

I said that to a chugged once, he avoided me after that. Which meant I could get in the co op in peace.

my friend who was fed up to the back teeth of being accosted by the same people over and over again at a train station in London. When they said does she not care about dogs and that looks like a very expensive coat you are wearing she asked them if they are allowed to say stuff like that.

when the bloke said “we can say what we want” she went “oh that’s good as I have been recording you on my phone and since you said you are allowed to say anything I am sure the dogs trust will be so glad to hear you are doing your job properly”. She left him with his mouth open. She never did sent it in but she was never bothered again.

ImWithGuineaPigsOnThisOne · 31/01/2025 01:42

They may be on commissions but they also will gr8 a basic wage coming in. Ignore them . CFs.

Original poster
familyportrait · 30/01/2025 21:20

TheNeverEndingOver · 30/01/2025 19:00

we had them right in the doorway at our WHsmith today as well (unless of course, we live in the same place). Didn’t say anything to me, but purposefully blocking the entrance to make you have to do a jig around them to get in. Puts me off going back to the shop.

Haha I was in the Farnham WHSmiths. They've been there for weeks. Perhaps it's only a Thursday but they've been in for every Thursday since before Christmas. Pain in the bloody arse as I use the post office inside there a lot and like you it really puts me off.

I'd really like to know if these twats are donating from their own salary. (Of course they won't be..)

The 'hello madam how are you today' is so false. They don't give a shit how I am and I hate small talk for the sake of it. I know everyone's got a job to do but if you actually want to help children, go and help them, not hound and pester folk going about there day.

Rant over!

OP posts:
Original poster
familyportrait · 30/01/2025 21:18

Right I've submitted the complaint to WHSmiths, I'll see where this nightmare of a charity is registered too and do a complaint.

I'm still in shock that one set of chuggers tried to come into a PPs home! Worse than bloody Jehovahs!!

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 30/01/2025 19:20

chuggers are the worst!
just say no thank you… if they continue ask for the number of their boss.

TheNeverEndingOver · 30/01/2025 19:00

we had them right in the doorway at our WHsmith today as well (unless of course, we live in the same place). Didn’t say anything to me, but purposefully blocking the entrance to make you have to do a jig around them to get in. Puts me off going back to the shop.

ChristmasPudd1990 · 30/01/2025 18:55

Awful. They shouldn't be harassing people. Put in a complaint to NSPCC and WHSmith. Wouldn't be surprised if these chuggers are part of the problem with WHSmith 's downfall. I stopped going into the Kingston one years ago because of this.

JC03745 · 30/01/2025 18:54

Let us know when/if you get a reply to your letter.

I wonder what commission they make from trying to force people to disclose their bank account details for a DD the them?

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