To think Big Issue sellers are as bad as chuggers?

[Littlecatbigpanther]

I'm sick and tired of walking down the high street and being heckled by a couple of Big Issue sellers. They are pretty much begging which I understand is illegal.

Today I phoned Big Issue and complained. I asked what checks were done on these people to see that they are homeless (they didn't look very homeless). I was told that they probably aren't homeless, in this case they were Romanians who likely house share (words of Big Issue representative not me). I asked why they are effectively begging and harassing people, was told they are self employed and allowed to operate but they will look into my complaint. Apparently you don't need a council permit to sell the Big Issue but they do have a code of conduct. Also by being self employed you get an NI number and can claim benefits.

So if you receive benefits why harass members of the public for more money? I used to like the magazine and supporting homeless, but now I'm disgusted, it's just a scam to claim benefits (hours of work for tax credits).

Aibu?

usual

Leelu well, I mentioned abuse from a Big Issue seller because that's what the thread was about.

I have been abused by many more men who were just members of the general public and presumably not homeless.

Our lovely Big Issue seller is a foreigner. To add another data point.

Or just passive aggressive mutterings. Why dismiss a person's own experiences just because they don't fit in with your own world view? The OP has had bad real world experiences with BI sellers, as have I recently. Like many things the Big Issue has changed and in this case not for the better. Jumping on someone for supposed immigrant or benefit bashing is just a bullying way to shut down an argument. It's a tedious technique that gets very old very quickly. Like it or not even on MN people can express views that differ to whatever opinion is fashionable at the time.

I do buy the BI but .... as the vendors are classed as self employed they are entitled to Working Tax Credit; so the very-much-not homeless-but-definitely-gaming-the-UK-system "Romanians" do not see a penny never mind a Pound from me.

Yabu.

Horrible thread. Why are people offended that BI sellers may not be homeless? The whole point if the BI is to try to keep people off the streets. I sincerely hope that the people I buy the BI from have somewhere to stay at night. I can be sure, however, that they have a tough life and are prepared to work to improve it. Have some compassion.

They shouldn't be harrassing anyone.

And most of the Big Issue sellers I meet say please. I say no thank you and it's left at that with no one getting annoyed.

Chuggers often call me lovely lady or something else equally revolting and come out with something that seems to be out of a book of really bad chat up lines. They often jump in my way when I have heavy shopping bags in each hand and make passive aggressive digs if I politely tell them I'm not interested. I get very annoyed with them.

terrible was that directed at me

No, the first line was directed at another poster entirely and the rest was a general rant, sorry! Leaving the thread anyway, having a shit night in the real world and am posting my bad mood on here instead of taking myself off to bed like I should...

terrible, hope your weekend gets better!

Thanks

Ignore the BI sellers like a chugger and get on with your life.

The Big Issue is not only available to be sold by homeless people - it's for anyone who is vulnerably housed etc also.

The issue over whether it counted as self-employment for 08 country immigrants was settled by Tony Blair's government, who decided it would indeed be: hence the reason there have been increasing numbers of 08 Accession nationals selling it. Don't blame the Big Issue for this - blame the Labour Party, if you must blame anyone.

It was started to be "a hand up, not a hand out" and BI take very seriously the issue of people who are begging, fake sellers or those who tell you their magazine is the last one/ask you to give it back. There's a lot of emphasis on the fact that customers are buying a product etc, and they will deal firmly with anyone who is violating their code of conduct in anyway: which includes using someone else's badge or selling whilst under the influence - precisely because these kind of things lead to this sort of thread/opinion. Would you rather people sat with their hands out and didn't work at all for their benefits' money, OP? (Of course, some BI sellers aren't eligible for benefits at all, because they don't have an address...)

I work in a well-known city, and increasing numbers of our BI sellers are Slovak - but you know what? Try engaging with them, instead of mubling and pushing past them: you know, treat them like people? You may well be surprised by what you find. (And for reference: I am not a bleeding heart liberal, but a dyed-in-the-wool Leave person, mainly because of the impact uncontrolled unskilled European immigration has had upon our own unskilled citizens - not to mention on wages etc) I have a good friend in my neighbourhood who started out in my life as the lady I bought the Big Issue from (she still is the lady I buy from - except now we are also friends!) - and she's even fine with me being a UKIP voter

Our local Big Issue seller is a lovely guy- here is a local news report about him stopping a thief from stealing a shoppers purse.

Well known a our local shopping area- place wouldnt be the same without him

suttoncoldfieldlocal.co.uk/big-issue-seller-scott-detains-man-charged-with-theft-174672/

I imagine selling the Big Issue not only provides him with income but has also given him some genuine human contact. He is known to have had a terrible start in life, abuse etc. He is someone deserving of more in life

I completely agree, same where i live

I thought anybody classed as 'vulnerably housed' or 'homeless' could sell them? Or has that changed?

We went to alderly edge the other day. As never been before. Hoping to find some posh bargains in the charity shops!

Got harassed repeatedly by the same seller. Please lady. Please buy issue. Pretty lady buy issue? Please pretty lady... Even when the toddler had clearly had enough and was ranting to the world!

Went to another local city. Big issue seller was an absolute gent. Have seen him a few times over the years. Went and said hi to him. Told him I had no cash (true) and gave him my drink. He gave me a hug and we both carried on our days.

In the next 100 yards, I had my personal space invaded by...

Please buy this book of crap jokes for kids cancer
Spare change for homeless soldiers?
Spare change for disabled kids?
Buy a sticker for local animal shelter?
Watch tower for Jehovah's witnesses
And a ppi thing...

A horrible thread because I don't think people who are housed and fed should be begging and hounding people minding their own business on the street? Er ok then! Maybe I'll start hard selling stuff in the street then, hounding passers by, no harm in that

I live in a small town where everyone knows everybody else's business. Our Big Issue seller is Romanian and has been selling for ten years. I always bought a copy off him as I felt I was helping. He disappears now and again as he returns to Romania for a few weeks holiday. After seeing his plush phone and watching him put all his pound coins in the bandit of the local betting shop I decided that maybe he doesn't need my money after all. I have stopped buying off him and each time I walk past he mutters things which make me uncomfortable. I'm all for helping people but would rather the Big Issue was used for people who really need it.

You sound awful op. Your last post made sure of that!

thisisnotausername the point is that I phoned the Big Issue and was surprised they do no checks on the sellers situation and said most of them aren't home less and receive housing and benefits. So they shouldn't really be hounding people aggressively?

I know people who use benefits to live, they don't spend their time hounding people in the street.

No, they should not hound anyone, that is against the big issue policy so you were right to report it.
I have known lots of big issue sellers through my work in homelessness, usually they do it because it is the only way they can actually earn money, rather than rely on completely on benefits. This gives them some self respect, which is hard won. Try standing on the street for hours, feeling invisible as most people ignore you- or worse insult/ spit at you/ make jokes. Big issue sellers have to deal with this every day.
Unless you have walked in their shoes.....