To think that The Red Cross should not waste their money sending out pens AND two coasters AND two greetings cards AND a bookmark!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LottieJenkins]

I got one. My Mum had one when she went to get the post at her old house and the lady I work for had one with her post when I let myself in yesterday!!! I cant believe they can justify spending that much money!!!

It is a method that works apparently

This really annoys me too.

If I want to donate to a charity I will do so, I won't be forced into paying for some unrequested cheaply manufactured tat that gets sent via the Royal Mail only to end up in the bin/recycling/landfill.

They justify it because the increased donations they get as a result of sending out these packs more than covers the cost. Very simple really.

Well it hasn't worked here!!!!

Annoyed here too! that really puts me off, that and chugging!

I just imagine there to be a massive Red Cross coaster pile at landfill!

It's always handy to get a pen as I never seem to have one, but they're rubbish.
And no, this doesn't persuade me to give anything, but if it works for others, fair enough.

The increased donations may cover the cost of the packs but what about the environmental impact of resources used to manufacturer and distribute them and the landfill costs to dispose of them after they land on your doormat?

Oh it is annoying i do like the coasters though

it is seen as giving to recieve a nice gesture IYSWIM,

Sorry Chaos!

I liked the Christmas coasters very much, but I didn't donate off the back of them. I do have charity guilt, but it's across the genre as a whole, not because I didn't give to one particular cause.

We got a pack like this last year. It really works does it? We were and

It crossed my mind that some older folks might worry that they had to send money - to pay for it all, or try to send it back.

It's a VAT thing. Charities get rebates that are more than the cost of the items, if there isn't just a begging letter in the envelope. It's called the "pack test" VAT law is incredibly complex, and this is just one of the ways that giving you more than you would expect actually has benefits to the charity than you would ordinarily think.

It just feels so wasteful of resources.

I taped up the envelope & sent mine back, return to sender.
Bah Humbug!

That people don't realise that this brings in more money than it costs, obviously, beggars belief. Yabu .

I seem to have a drawer full of Red Cross cards that I can't use because everyone would know that I got them for free. I also have a growing collection of coasters and matching bookmarks! The pens come in handy but don't last long.

I can appreciate it may work financially but I hate junk mail and judge them on that. I am a supporter of The Red Cross, just in other ways.

I refuse to donate money to charities that pay people to request donations or send out promotional gifts as I really disagree with those practices.

It is a total waste of resources.

I won't donate to charities that do this on principle.

I hate the pens. They hardly ever work, and feel all cheap and nasty. Hence: straight in the bin.

I use the cards. The way I see it is: if they are giving me them without me asking, then why should I feel guilty about using them?

I know it's a cost-benefit decision that is tilted in their favour, so I don't feel guilt.

Which makes me wonder: are these mail outs changing people's attitudes to charity?

Marie Curie sent me a daffodil pin, a notepad, a pad of post-its, a postcard and a coaster. No need to buy a daffodil pin this year now