To hate charity bag packers at supermarket checkout

[DameEdnasBridesmaid]

I want to pack my own bag.
I want to choose who I give my charity donations to not feel obliged.
I think they are a bloody nuisance.

ObfusKate I see the fact that volunteers willing giving their time and energy to do good works for charity makes you feel "obligated" to support them.

So is your solution to this that no one ever collect for any charity so that you don't have to feel guilty for not supporting them?

Sledgehammer ----> nut

Don't scouts do charitable things as well? I thought they did.

ObfusKate without actually asking for donations, how on earth do you think charities would survive?

Bearing in mind most people don't go out of their way to find out about and give to local charities?

Another good reason to shop at aldi

Lower pressure like what exactly? That still brings in donations?

You have no idea wrt what I can/cannot imagine.

If someone absolutely cannot imagine saying "no" to a bag packer there's always the self service till.

I can see it from both sides but am at the word hate in the thread's heading, such a strong word and surely far out of proportion to the problem described.

I have a system when packing my shopping so, depending what I've bought, may say "no" to a request from a charity bag packer (but donate some change anyway).

I also raise money for an Alzheimers charity by bag packing and am very much aware that some shoppers prefer to be left to deal with their own shopping and that's fine, I'll step back, out of the way. I don't care whether people donate nothing, a penny or a pound; I am raising awareness of our charity too and have had much positive feedback from shoppers.

I also do the tin collection thing by the entrance but stand to the side so I can be seen but am not in the way. I never shake the tin (I don't think you're supposed to anyway), and don't engage eye contact with shoppers, just wait for them to approach me if they want to donate.

That is how tin collectors should behave so they don't make people feel guilty for not donating.

I totally agree with the 'unloading the trolley onto the conveyor belt' idea, and if we have enough volunteers I would like to offer that service in future.

Other ways we raise money include running book/jigsaw stalls, but the bag packing raises far more.

Lying, have PMd you. Thanks again.

I love backonly's post.
Straight out of Viz.
Comedy genius.

IME the scouts stand at the check out, they ask politely "would you like help with your packing?". The customer says yes or no - sometimes with a please or thank you - the scout either packs or doesn't.

There are signs/posters up explaining what the scouts are collecting for.

It is not scary or annoying in the way that chuggers in the street, or people coming round the doors with direct debit forms are annoying.

I've never had charity/fund raising bag packers ask if I want help packing, it's always a default that they'll help until you tell them not to. It's subtly different to being asked if you want help first.

I know a few people who would have no problem saying no when asked but wouldn't feel able to say I'd rather you didn't to bag packers who've already started.

I have never had one who started without asking.

Yanbu. I like to pack my own bags and find it embarrassing to be asked for a donation by a child and then decline. I don't like to be pressured into charity and don't have spare cash laying around to give to scout trips etc.

I feel guilty to decline though, so would avoid a supermarket who did this - I'm not sure why parents don't pay for a scout boat trip (which is what the last lot were collecting for).

However...if they were to do a sponsored litter pick locally then I'd contribute regardless of the charity as I think it's worth paying for!

I love having someone to help get my bags packed - and think it's a great way to raise funds. I always ask them about what they're raising money for while we pack, and chat away about how they've enjoyed their day. I think it's a great way to help kids to feel like useful members of society, too.

Surely it's not the end of the world to have tins in with the veg just for once?