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Original poster

Charities grabbing you at exits in stores!

116 replies

MonroeM · 29/07/2019 17:11

I hope this is in the correct place to ask this, if not then apologies.

For the last 15 years at least I have made regular donations to 3 charities of my choice and very happy to continue. I also donate unwanted goods and clothes etc. to charity shops and buy all kinds of everything from those shops too.

Lately I have noticed the fund raisers have started to set up their stalls inside stores but at the exits so customers can not avoid them. If they stood there and not tried to grab me that would be one thing but I do resent it when I know they are watching and waiting for me to pack my shopping. I can feel their eyes on me.

What are your thoughts on this? Maybe there are some charity fund raisers here but does it annoy anyone else as it does me?

OP posts:

mbosnz · 29/07/2019 17:13

It annoys the living hell out of me.

I'm afraid I no longer even break stride, or answer the ice-breaker question, just sweep on by with 'not today thanks'.

ithinkiammelting · 29/07/2019 17:13

Ask the person whether they are a volunteer or are getting paid. That usually gets them floundering for words and shuts them up pretty quick

Someonesayroadtrip · 29/07/2019 17:17

Yes really annoys me too. I also give to specific charities so I just say that. I have had some really rude people though, someone telling me I clearly don't care about animals if I didn't donate. I absolutely hate it now and wonder why she's do it as it really makes me avoid shops that do it, that and windows sales. Still having Dunraven call me most weeks of the past 2.5 years!

PatchworkElmer · 29/07/2019 17:19

I hate it. I avoid going into non-essential shops with these people lingering tbh. Emailed Poundland to say so a couple of months ago.

Original poster

MonroeM · 29/07/2019 17:23

Am trying not to rant on this one but one young man (outdoors near a busy supermarket) saw me coming. I was ready. No I wasn't!

He literally stepped in front of me and asked did I want to save the life of a child. Bloody hell their training needs reviewing! I get they want to raise money and I get these street people are trying to earn commission or a wage etc but doing that to people in public is shockingly bad.

OP posts:

Original poster

MonroeM · 29/07/2019 17:25

The thing is, some of the inshop fundraisers can not be seen until you are about to pay for your shopping.

NO ESCAPE

Whoever came up with this idea needs, er, well they need something!

OP posts:

GCAcademic · 29/07/2019 17:27

He literally stepped in front of me and asked did I want to save the life of a child.

In this situation, you stop, look the person in the eye and say, "No. No I don't". Then walk away. You might sound like an arsehole, but he is a bigger one for asking that question.

BearSoFair · 29/07/2019 17:29

I hate it. We get them outside the shop I work in, so they see me leaving every day, in uniform, and they still try to get me to stop and talk. They usually open with "hello Miss (fuck off with your 'Miss' for a start, I think I'm old enough to be their Mum!) you look friendly" and I always want to answer "well, I'm not" just to see what they'd do...

MarianaMoatedGrange · 29/07/2019 17:30

Aggressive chuggers need reporting to the charity. It can be intimidating as well as extremely rude.

Mintjulia · 29/07/2019 17:39

Having done stints as a charity volunteer, there are rules on what collectors can do. They are not allowed to hassle people, and a complaint to the relevant shop would put a stop to it pretty quickly.

As for the canvassers in the street, who want you to sign a direct debit, I just say “I don’t sign things but happy to give you some spare change.”
That always puts an end to the conversation.

Wellmet · 29/07/2019 17:39

I used to donate monthly to the nspcc. Not a huge amount, but all I could afford. I got lots of phonecalls asking for more, and I warned them that if I got any more calls I would cancel as they were clearly spending donated money on call centres. Within a few days, I got another call. In response to "hello?" the woman said "do you know how many children are being abused right now?" She hadn't even checked who I was. It could have been one of my young children answering that phone. I insisted on being put through to the department that could cancel my direct debit and they've never received a penny from me since.

legolimb · 29/07/2019 17:40

Oh I hate this too.

Its bad enough having to run the gauntlet on the high Street to avoid chuggers/beggars/sky TV subscriptions.

I just want to go about my business and not have to talk to sales people other than in the shops I'm using.

also Mr Sainsbury please get rid of the car wash team who pounce as soon as you park up

ShinyRuby · 29/07/2019 17:42

I hate this & made it my rule a while ago to never stop. Our local M&S Food is dreadful for having them in an unavoidable position & I've even had to dodge them at the gym. I support charities of my own choosing, I'm not going to stop & set up a direct debit just because they're hoping I'll feel too awkward to say no! It's a firm but cheerful "no thanks" every time.

Cinammoncake · 29/07/2019 17:44

I'm surprised shops allow it, because I think it'll drive more people to shop online potentially.

Mumsymumphy · 29/07/2019 17:45

I hate the guilt-tripping at supermarkets. I always thought they are not allowed to approach you? They can rattle the tins but not directly say "Would you like to make a donation?" or such like.

I too just walk past unless it's Brownies, Guides etc doing the collecting.

Asking "Would you like to save the life of a child?" is pure guilt-tripping - of course we all would but I wouldn't even give an answer.

Or maybe respond with "Maybe your CEO could donate a fraction of his wages and save the lives of thousands!"

ThomasHardyPerennial · 29/07/2019 17:45

I hate the ones that pretend they are handing out leaflets, but once you show interest they whisk you to their desk and pressure you to sign up. There are no leaflets. Knobbers.

ineedaknittedhat · 29/07/2019 17:59

Yeah, I often wish britain would go back to being the prim, proper, stiff upper lip land it used to be (was it ever like that? I dunno).

I'm autistic and this kind of thing makes me feel stressed and just adds to the stress already there. I just want to be left alone. I no longer visit the city centre shops due to the chuggers and the chap in the camping shop, who was so over friendly I suspect he was on something.

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 29/07/2019 18:07

They usually open with "hello Miss (fuck off with your 'Miss' for a start, I think I'm old enough to be their Mum!) you look friendly" and I always want to answer "well, I'm not" just to see what they'd do...

Haha,
I said exactly that once, with a straight as a poker face .
They were quite taken aback and stuttered an "Oh, ok".

EllenEyewater · 29/07/2019 18:10

I think the ones at stations are even worse.

RodGallowglass · 29/07/2019 18:13

I know a Connaught man who always replies in Irish. That tends to make them go away.

Greyhound22 · 29/07/2019 18:16

One jumped in front of me not so long ago and said 'lady that cares?'

My reply was 'lady that doesn't give a shit' and I carried on walking much to the open mouth shock of my colleague.

Hoppinggreen · 29/07/2019 18:19

I just walk past and give no shits at all
One did say “you look kind” to which I replied “I’m not”
I also sometimes say “ what do you want.?” That seems to throw them

Original poster

MonroeM · 29/07/2019 18:24

Last month a pretty young lady stopped me and said how gorgeous I looked. Well I didn't of course. She admired my hair colour and my outfit. I do wonder would she have said the same if had I been bald and wearing scruffy baggy joggers and faded teeshirt.

She did not get a signing from me. None of them do.

I was stopped most recently by a FR for Alzheimers society and he asked me had I been affected by this in any way. Yes two family members stricken with it in last few years. I had told him I already donate to charities and he asked which ones. One is Cancer Research and his answer was surprising to say the least.

Alzheimers has overtaken cancer to be the no. 1 killer disease.
Cancer Research already receive massive donations.
Alzheimers Society needs funding more than cancer charities.

They have got an answer for every which way the conversation goes and I understand it is in their training.
It still annoys me that they do this though. Anyone who watches television/uses the internet will see the campaigns and virtual tin rattling but should be allowed to decide for themselves where they send their money.

OP posts:

MyFokMarelize · 29/07/2019 18:25

"Would you like to save the life of a child?"

Only possible answer - "Fuck no!"

I pretend to be talking on my phone as I sweep past them. Works every time. But also I avoid shops where they loiter.

CatsDolls · 29/07/2019 18:47

Someone tried to stop me once with "Excuse me..."

I replied, "you're excused" and carried on walking.

I then heard an outraged "did you HEAR what she said to me?"

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