To be annoyed with the Big Issue vendor ?

[Alligatorpie]

I not live in England but whenever I am here, I try to buy the Big Issue. Yesterday I went shopping and saw a guy selling it. I asked his much it was now and he said £3. Fine, I was giving him the money and he said most people give him £10 as it was Xmas. He was quite I insistent. This is not someone I have ever seen before and I thought he was being really pushy to ask me for £7. So I told him so. I had already given him the money, (£3) but I was seriously thinking of walking away.

Am I being tight? Is this was people do? I went to uni in Lodon and bought it weekly for years. I don't remember tipping this much, a quid or two to my usual venor, but not someone I don't know. But this was 10 years ago, so maybe £7 is the going rate now ?

Maybe I was pissed as I live in Egypt and am constantly being asked for tips for things. I didn't expect it here though. So AIBU?

Booboostoo and norrishoho I do know what you are both saying, but believe me, I know a great deal about the issue vendors.
If they are in hostels/sofa surfing, then of course they are entitled to sell the issue, but many of them have rented/council homes.

Also, when they have a heroin habit, many of them go on the methadone programme, and then score 'brown' to top up.
So, yes it is possible.

As I said earlier, if I was certain a seller was genuine, I would happily buy the magazine.

I too know a lot about them - having worked with them for two years Not disagreeing with what you're saying generally, some of the users who sold were very irritating but to be honest, I would rather they were doing that that finding another way to maintain the habit.

Oh I absolutly agree with them selling it as opposed to mugging little old ladies.

I just think that it is abused SO much.
But what can you do if they turn up at your office and say they are homeless?
It must have been very hard working there!

OMFG...you're getting annoyed at someone who possibly has NOTHING and maybe sleeping rough/might not have enough food never mind love & friendship in their life...so he asked you for a few extra quid, big deal. If you didn't want to give it to him, just say no & walk away ...I'm sure it pales into insignificance in comparison to the abuse he receives whilst living on the street...perhaps he used to be more polite ...who knows

"If they are in hostels/sofa surfing, then of course they are entitled to sell the issue, but many of them have rented/council homes"

This is because the 'programme' put together is a long term solution for what are usually very vulnerable people (care leavers, ex army, MH etc), to ensure that they are not mearly entering a repeatable ongoing cycle of homelessness and extreme poverty. Although many of us see ourselves as 'standing on our own two feet' very few of us do, without another person in the world on whom we can ask for support (emotionally or financially).

Although it is hard having children, it gives you a security net in benefits and hostels, being single doesn't. Everything has to fought for and has a 6 week minimuim weight, it is the charities that keep people from dying on our streets.

We all moan about not being able to afford to put the heating on, well next time wrap yourself in carboard and sleep on your drive and see how it feels to be realy cold, it might stop you wondering why those doing that, need drugs or alcohol to get through a night.

In my experience, very few actually took on board 'the programme'- although it is there, it's difficult to implement - as are many programmes devised when working with vulnerable people. Which is not a criticism , just what I observed. TBH I take my hat off to the majority of sellers, the abuse they get, the weather, so much to contend with. I would find it bloody hard.

Rudolf OK, I admit it, my DD has a heroin habit and she has sold the issue to support that habit.

Booboi I take your point and perhaps at the time - when I was struggling a bit financially - there was a touch of the green eyed monster in me.

However, the main objection I had was that he was continuing to do well, in other words he was still selling on his great pitch, he hadnt used it as a stepping stone to get him back into work, but as his ongoing job, which paid better than mine.

yet his only paid well cos people thought he was in deep poverty. Do you understand my disillisionment?

I've never brought a copy. We don't seem to have anyone selling them round here.

In my voluntary job i come into contact with a vast amount of homeless people and addicts.

One woman i saw recently spoke of the isolation that she feels as you can tell that she is an ex user and people now don't want to befriend her. Alongside hat is the closing of a major ex addict charity in my region and a cut to alot of the womens services.

There are more people who get to a better place by using charities such as the big issue, than there are that fund herion addictions through them(especially given the cost of herion).

We can find examples as to why every sponcered service should be cut, because of misuse, including the NHS/welfare state etc.

Sorry for the typos, i really should be doing my cleaning!

If people get to a better place thru selling the issue, then good on them as they obviously want to be helped.

I really do not have the answer, maybe a limited time selling it?

so sorry mary :(

Thank you.
Good on you for working with them. I mean that it can't be easy.

Some Big Issue vendors will be in hostels, some will be rough sleeping, some on council or HA properties and some in night shelters.

I have no isse with any of these people selling Big Issues and many of them will sell for a long time. However I will only buy from someone with a genuine badge in a genuine pitch. Anyone breaching the rules gives The Issue a bad name.

I worked in Leeds in my previous job and many of them sold The Issue. Some of them have drug habits but most of them were in treatment and were trying to change their lives. The Big Issue was part of that change.