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Original poster

Chuggers and "leading questions"

156 replies

HellomynameisIcklePickle · 05/03/2014 13:51

I've had quite a few on the phone/at the door and I honestly don't mind them trying. I like to be polite and will generally wait to say "not interested" at the available opportunity.

But what really, really winds me up is when they do really staged "Yes" questions.

"This is just a terrible problem, isn't it?"
"£2 a week seems reasonable to help, doesn't it?"

Oh fuck off. Is it just me who gets so annoyed and thinks these "leading questions" are really them saying "You're so stupid, if I just get you to nod your head and agree with me you'll do anything I suggest." Angry

I know that it's a recommended selling technique and lots of people use it, but the main people who pitch to me are chuggers and it's only them who I notice it with. It just gives me the rage.

OP posts:
ukatlast · 07/03/2014 14:42

Everythingsdozy - cancel the direct debit to the one you signed up for.

ukatlast · 07/03/2014 14:43

Cancel it with your Bank everythingsdozy and by letter with the charity.

thegreylady · 07/03/2014 14:48

I am such a mug. I have committed us to monthly payments to Water Aid, Child Poverty Action, Shelter, Dogs' Trust, World Vision and the Woodland Trust. We are pensioners and can't really afford it. I don't know how to get out of it all now. They are all so deserving...I forgot the Red Cross. Please help me with some advice on what to keep and how to stop :(

ShadowOfTheDay · 07/03/2014 14:58

I would just NEVER give my personal BANK details to some stranger in the street - no matter what "credentials" they waved at me... why would you...

people shred statements to stop them getting into the wrong hands, but willingly give name, address, date of birth and bank details to a stranger in the street....

thegreylady - I would stop them all, speak to your bank - they will tell you what is going out when and will stop the payments for you.

then look online at the charities you think you would like to support and it will have details of how to "give" most effectively.

natwebb79 · 07/03/2014 15:06

When they say 'you look like a lovely generous man sir!' as an opener my DH generally replies "Oof no, I'ma tight miserable bastard really". It generally works Grin

FreeButtonBee · 07/03/2014 15:07

I walked past one the other day without stopping (I work in the City and they are endemic, a bit like pigeons) and he shouted after me in a really sarcastic voice "thanks very much, ever heard of karma, what goes around comes around". Cheeky bastard. I give plenty of money to charity - i do GAYE and empolyee matches it every month so it's definitely the best way for me to donate. I don't feel the need to explain myself to any tom, dick or harry shouting on the pavement, thanks all the same.

NotNewButNameChanged · 07/03/2014 15:32

I never answer my door unless I know someone is coming, so I've never had the doorstep issue.

Out in the street if I see chuggers ahead of me, I pull out my phone and hold it to my ear as if I am having a conversation and they don't come near me.

Prior to this technique, one bounced in front of me once and said "You're looking very smiley today, mate!" to which I replied "Firstly, I'm not your mate. Secondly, if I were your mate, you'd also know I don't smile" and he shut up.

NotNewButNameChanged · 07/03/2014 15:45

ohwhatfuckery - I don't know if it's still true, but certainly a couple of years ago The Donkey Sanctuary was one of the most efficient charities in the UK in that only a few p of each pound went on administration etc. This is why, I think, they are so well supported. So many of the major charities, if you look into them, not only have huge reserves (which I do understand) but often 25p in each £1 goes on admin and wages and the like.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 07/03/2014 17:49

Like paying chuggers. In newcastle there was a herd (a pestilence, an annoyance) of chuggers in white coats. I swear I heard one ask "so madam, do you HATE cancer?" She was just Shock.

gamerchick · 07/03/2014 18:25

newcastles nuts for them..

I when pretty decently pregnant..sprinted down the street in our town holding my belly just to avoid tons of the swines.. I paid for it but it was worth it Grin

thegreylady christ you need to put a stop to them.. seriously.. go to your bank and stop the direct debits.. they say you have to ring them up and stop them at the other end, but you really don't.

You can't go on paying all those man :(

gamerchick · 07/03/2014 18:27

stop all of them and choose the ones you want at your leisure and sign up direct if you want to give something.

MoreBeta · 07/03/2014 18:39

thegreylady - they target pensioners. They really do.

My MIL is like you. They never stop hassling her and once you sign up for one charity you mark yourself as a target. The firms that do the fundraising have your name and one week they will have a contract from a Christian Aid and another with will be Water Aid. They know you are a willing donor and they keep ringing you. It really is that merciless and mercenary. They get paid a commission. They are a business.

Just stop the Direct Debits. Go to the bank and stop them all.

gamerchick · 07/03/2014 18:41

and come back to say you've done it.. I'm really concerned, that's an unreasonable amount of DDs to charity when you're not flush :(

MoreBeta · 07/03/2014 18:43

I've only once or twice been stopped by a chugger as I recall.

I must have one of those faces. Grin

Glitterfeet · 07/03/2014 18:45

Thegreylady call your bank and stop them. If the charity sends a letter asking you to reconsider, ignore it. Or pop it back in the post as Return to Sender and write no more contact on it.

If they call, politely say you can't afford it and please take you off their mail and telephone lists.

You're not a mug at all. It's ok for a charity to ask but it's also ok to say no, they're used to it :) I've taken many phone calls from supporters wanting to cancel, most of us nice people and put no pressure on people. I

HuntingforBunting · 07/03/2014 18:49

I absolutely loath chuggers. My poor dm thought for a long time they were bloody volunteers. I want to ask them how much they give away of their salary and to feck off while they're at it

Holamum · 07/03/2014 18:51

Chuggers are just doing a job - they are people trying to get by just like you and me. Their charity causes are usually very worthwhile.

The way some of you are talking about them sounds like they are as abhorrent as begging for money for a drug addiction or something. Charming ladies!

I am not rich but I give them the time to explain what their charity does, and if it sounds like something that is worthwhile I offer a one-off donation. Even if it is just £2.

I think the OP is being unreasonable.

Glitterfeet · 07/03/2014 18:53

Charities, like other organisations, will buy in data, probably from the same source. Which is one reason it may seem like her targeted once you sign up for one. You can ask where your information came from.

When you shop online, attend an event and register, look closely at anything with a tick box!

OddFodd · 07/03/2014 18:53

That's not true Twintery. They haven't even been in the top 10 for years. Oxfam always are and so is the National Trust.

I hate chuggers and I loathe the sector. I think it needs a massive overhaul. There are too many charities (particularly in medical research) who are fighting over the same pot and duplicating their whole infrastructure.

Imagine how much more money could be given to children if, for example, Save the Children and Oxfam joined forces?

MrsDavidBowie · 07/03/2014 19:10

I was approached by a chugger and I told them that I already worked for the charity he was promoting.
His reply was "bet you fucking don't"Shock

OddFodd · 07/03/2014 19:12

MrsDB Shock

Snowdown · 07/03/2014 19:16

These guys get a commission for signing on a direct debit - is it £36? Sorry if this has been mentioned before. So you need to offer £2 a month for a year and a half before the charity sees anything - giving via a chugger is daft.
Loads of people have annoying jobs, just because they are being paid doesn't mean I am going to support them harassing me - that would be fucking stupid. I have found myself feeling increasingly negative towards any charity who uses chuggers as a method of fundraiser - it's bloody annoying and I am not going to encourage it.

Plateofcrumbs · 07/03/2014 20:17

But snowden fundraising via any method costs money. Street fundraising is cost effective otherwise charities wouldn't do it. If you sponsor someone to run the London Marathon - the charity has paid £100s to secure their place. If you respond to an advert or a letter through your door, the charity has paid for that advert or mailshot. Even if they use volunteers the charity has to pay for all the admin, logistics and training involved.

I'm not defending all chugging tactics but it works, that's why they do it. Fair enough if rather than signing up via a chugger you sign up for the same DD via a commission-free route, but the chugger has still earned their keep if they convinced you to sign up in the first place.

FrequentFlyerRandomDent · 07/03/2014 20:35

I tell them the truth. I have no income at present.

I do give to charity (time, old clothes/toys and money) btw but the ones I have chosen, not the ones that stop me in the street.

Glitterfeet · 07/03/2014 21:01

Even if you have volunteers out with buckets, there's still a cost to handle, process and bank the cash. DD's are more cost effective and mean that a charity have a regular income stream, so they can forward plan.

Say no nicely to chuggers, no need for complicated excuses, if they're rude then complain. Give the location & time.

If you don't think can't commit then don't sign up. Don't offer a one off cash donation, they can't take them. If you thin it's a worthwhile charity go to the website and make a one off that way.

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