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AIBU?

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Original poster

BIg Issue seller outside Wilkinsons

78 replies

timetogrowup · 15/12/2012 14:41

I live in a small town, standard sort of high street, had a Woolies, got Boots, Superdrug and Wilkinsons. We have a Big Issue seller out now and again - not every day. Yesterday after a night of -6 it was raining on to frozen ground, immediately icy underfoot, not many people out. Big Issue seller, young girl in cardigan out in the rain next to a big sheltered aread at the entrance to Wilkinson. I bought the magazine asked her why not stand out of the rain. She said Wilkinson's staff told her she couldn't stand in there. It's big and not busy - no way could she block the doors or be intimidating.

I went in and although I'm shy, the Christmas music and all the glitz and "good tidings to all men" atmosphere made me feel very bad that she was standing out in the rain. I found the manager and asked if it was true. He said he couldn't let her because if he let one they'd all expect it. There has never been more than one. I pointed out if he said OK today he wouldn't have to say OK tomorrow. We eventually agreed to disagree, and I said I wouldn't be buying anything after all on principle (yeah I'm so tough!) . It just seemed so sad.

It's possible she'd figured that standing there in a wet cardi gets her more sympathy sales but I was very tempted to go to the charity shop and buy her a coat. But I had an appointment to keep...

ps should I invite her for Christmas dinner?

OP posts:
SamuelWestsMistress · 15/12/2012 14:46

I must admit although I do buy the Big Issue, I think having to squeeze past sellers in a doorway would be a bit too much at a busy and rainy time of year.

WorraLorraTurkey · 15/12/2012 14:50

"He said he couldn't let her because if he let one they'd all expect it. There has never been more than one "

And there's your reason why.

Seriously, if they allowed that sort of thing you'd have every big issue sell and chugger in the area sheltering there and that's obviously very bad for business.

Wilkinsons need to attract customers, not put them off.

Anniegetyourgun · 15/12/2012 14:53

If by "they all" he means a whole load of people who are not selling the Big Issue but who just want to stand in out of the rain, he could try making an exception for the one who has an official vendor badge and move the others on. Big Issue vendors have an agreed "pitch", they can't stand in each other's territory, so, like Highlander, there can be only one.

SamuelWest, didst thou not read the line in the OP saying she wouldn't be blocking the doors...

SledsImOn · 15/12/2012 15:03

I think it's very sad.

I wouldn't invite a stranger to dinner at my house, but then I am not great with people anyway.

And my feeling is that when people are on the streets, they are often there because they have trouble dealing with others, or social situations, and would feel very uncomfortable being at someone's house.

I'm probably projecting though - it is a kind thought but you could give her some extra money or something, if you feel like being generous at Christmas.

WorraLorraTurkey · 15/12/2012 15:07

I didn't take the 'shall I invite her to Christmas dinner' seriously tbh.

Why Christmas? Why not tomorrow or tonight if she's serious?

Sirzy · 15/12/2012 15:09

I don't blame wilkinsons for taking the stance they did. If they let one do it on one day then a precedent has been set

puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE · 15/12/2012 15:11

You would find it was the same in pretty much any establishment. Its not particularly nice, but i can understand it.

tiredemma · 15/12/2012 15:20

Bloody hell. Its only a doorway.

I have to say that on comparing this to my local supermarket- then the local supermarket are FAB.

Sainsbury's - have the same young man selling the big issue from their foyer day in, day out.

Lovely bloke- obviously very much on his arse but the locals love him and he is always engaged in conversation with the shoppers.

I really admire sainsburys for this and hadn't really thought about it until reading this thread. I think Wilko's are a bit mean to not let her stand out of the rain.

WorraLorraTurkey · 15/12/2012 15:34

It's got nothing to do with standing out of the rain.

It's about having a policy whereby sellers (no matter who they are) can't sell their wares in the shop doorway.

As the manager quite rightly pointed out, if they allow one they'll have to allow them all.

Besides, the woman probably just forgot her coat or umbrella.

susanann · 15/12/2012 15:40

A very complex issue. (pun not intended!) We have big issue sellers where I live. I have never given them extra money, cos you dont know what they will spend it on. (possibly booze or drugs, I know thats a generalisation)
I have been to the local greggs or wherever and bought them a sarnie and a coffee/tea. This is usually very much appreciated, and the expression on their face is thanks enough. I have gotten into conversation with a few of them and they are just normal people down on their luck quite often. However I can understand wilkos stance, sadly. Thats the world we live in. I think buying a coat would have been a lovely gesture. I think they often need someone to listen to them and just be sympathetic.

Original poster
timetogrowup · 15/12/2012 15:42

Really there was room for half a dozen sellers and I still feel sad that a manager cannot see that there's simply a person out there freezing and he could make things better. Sad that "setting a precedent, company policy" get in the way of being human, and it just jarred so violently with the warmth and Christmas messages within. Reminded me of "The Little Match Girl" which I can't quite remember.

We always had "auntie Nelly" for Christmas dinner when I was small. No relation at all just a neighbour of my grandma's who had no family of her own. I don't think she was particulary friend's with grandma even and we didn't see her any other time. I'm not sure I have the courage to ask - I've been and looked at the Big Issue (in the North) website and they're doing a giant Christmas card from the public. I'll be on that and sending a donation.

Plaudits for Sainsbury's! I'll be voting with my wallet. They also employ some people who went to special schools at our local one, collecting trolleys and helping pack, and usually have a charity collector in the foyer.

OP posts:
Original poster
timetogrowup · 15/12/2012 15:45

erm just looked up the Little Match Girl on Wikipedia. It's not quite that bad I hope.

OP posts:
Amytheflag · 15/12/2012 15:48

I'm going to sound mean but honestly if there were big issue sellers in the doorway of a shop, I wouldn't be going in there because I hate saying no and feeling bad for not buying an issue. Lots of people whether they admit it or don't will feel the same way. If Wilkos manager lets big issue sellers in the doorway it might affect sales and profit if people start giving the shop the swerve to avoid feeling bad about not giving. I can totally see his logic.

SoleSource · 15/12/2012 15:49

Agree with Worra.

WorraLorraTurkey · 15/12/2012 16:09

We always had "auntie Nelly" for Christmas dinner when I was small

We had turkey and stuffing.

The thing is, it's bad enough in town trying to get through all the chuggers and various people with clipboards...just to buy a few bits and pieces.

I'm quite sure if the stores allowed this, customers would eventually vote with their feet.

MissLToeishavingsantasbabyboo · 15/12/2012 16:16

Sounds like we live in the same town op Xmas Smile

LadyMaryChristmas · 15/12/2012 16:19

There's a lot of big issue sellers in the city centre here (1 or 2 per street), a lot of them are from other EU countries. It seems so Sad for them to come here, only to find that they are doing this to make ends meet. I usually pop into the local cafe and get someone a cup of tea and a sandwich, I can't do that with the amount of sellers here though. Sad

LadyMaryChristmas · 15/12/2012 17:51

Thank you, Bob.

Heroine · 15/12/2012 17:53

What a twat the manager is! 'If I give directions to one person everyone will ask for directions' 'If I give 50p to oxfam the other charities will all want 50p' ' If I smile at one customer they will want me to smile all the time'

TWAT!!

Heroine · 15/12/2012 17:55

I know re romanians how disgusting that ROMANIANS of ALL PEOPLE should be able to work themseleves out of homelessness surely someone can pass a law that all romanians should be kept out of work and benefits so they die on our streets or form criminal gangs Hmm

Original poster
timetogrowup · 15/12/2012 17:58

Xmas Smile Nicely put Heroine! And had to smile despite disagreeing with you Worralorraturkey - set myself up for that comment!

OP posts:
Heroine · 15/12/2012 17:59

It silly to say that if a store allows one person to stand in doorway and sell that it by default creates an allowance for anyone who wants to sell there! If house of fraser grants a concession to clinique does it mean that any cosmetic company can rock up with a sales counter and start selling?? Hmm

LadyBeagleBaublesandBells · 15/12/2012 18:04

You sound so utterly lovely Op.
We need more people like you in the world.

Original poster
timetogrowup · 15/12/2012 18:05

That Telegraph story doesn't actually put me off helping at all.

OP posts:
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