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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you if I am missing something here?

29 replies

Curlywurlyquerly · 10/02/2018 22:47

I run a charity as a volunteer alongside four other people. We have been approached by a well-known high street mid-range beauty brand to hold a "fundraising event" in their shop.

Apparently "all we have to do" is invite along 50 people who they will charge £15 each to give demonstrations of their products to, and a goody bag worth at least £10. They will offer "refreshments," and they will then offer attendees a discount of 10% off all their products at the end.

Am I being completely stupid to not recognise how this is a fundraising event for our charity and not just a chance for them to find 50 new customers who they will push sales on to at the end?

The manager at the shop is apparently "gobsmacked" that I would "look a gift horse in the mouth."

Am I really missing something? Do they think that after paying their ticket money and probably being pushed into buying a product, the attendees who we generated ourselves will then donate to us?

OP posts:
TheQueenOfWands · 10/02/2018 22:48

Do you get the extra fiver?

jacobsgirl · 10/02/2018 22:49

I'm in the same boat ?

What's in it for you guys - charity donations wise ? Are they giving you a percentage of takings or ? What money goes to the charity

seven201 · 10/02/2018 22:49

Are you given some or all of the ticket fee (and just didn't realise)? Otherwise I really don't get it either!

Twinkleheth · 10/02/2018 22:49

Are they donating the £15 charge to your charity?

RNBrie · 10/02/2018 22:50

Are you getting a cut of the ticket price?!

Original poster
Curlywurlyquerly · 10/02/2018 22:50

No percentage of takings. Just apparently a chance for us to invite people to their shop!
Maybe they're expecting us to go round with a bucket or something? But we could do that in Sainsburys without getting people to have paid £15 and bought a product before we ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
Curlywurlyquerly · 10/02/2018 22:51

getting none of the ticket fee

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 10/02/2018 22:52

The manager is "gobsmacked" her bullshit ploy didn't fool you into buying in to this shite.

dorolee · 10/02/2018 22:52

That sounds utterly bizarre - did the manager say if other charities had taken up this offer before?

Forgeteverythingandremember · 10/02/2018 22:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flumpybear · 10/02/2018 22:53

Sorry, they mask their sales pitch as a charity thing ... and you get fuck all

Nope!!

Tell them £15 a ticket and £10 goes to your charity

flowery · 10/02/2018 22:55

How odd. So people pay £15 for a gift bag of stuff they didn’t choose and the opportunity to hear a sales pitch?

And the charity gets none of that money?

I’m struggling to see how it’s a fundraising event and also why any of the invitees would find it remotely tempting.

You risk damaging your credibility with your donors if you “invite” them to this.

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 10/02/2018 22:59

If I’d paid £15 to get £10 worth of stuff that wouldn’t suit my skin tone and some crisps I’d be very unimpressed if the charity I thought I was supporting went around with a bucket.

StorminaBcup · 10/02/2018 23:00

Four of you have to invite 50 people to pay £15 for a sales pitch and they receive a £10 goody bag?! That’s a terrible pitch without tagging the charity association on to it.

MrsPestilence · 10/02/2018 23:13

I'd be tempted to pat the store manager on the head and move on. Unless your charity is one that supports failing High Street stores.

BestZebbie · 10/02/2018 23:19

Is it possible that the idea is that you use them as a venue to hold a presentation/AGM/speeches etc about your ocharity to your captive audience and your donations are generated later on as a result of building up relationships with these individuals, instead of rattling a tin on the day?
I wouldn't bother, though. if you want to do the above, charge £15 yourself, book a conference centre and caterer and avoid the awkward/distracting hard beauty sell.

Qvar · 10/02/2018 23:23

NO.

They are attempting to hack into people's good will towards your charity and are in fact simply profiteering from your good name

Flomy · 10/02/2018 23:26

Confused Its bloody weird

AlpacaLypse · 10/02/2018 23:30

Definitely thanks but no thanks... However you could filch their profiteering idea and set up your own evening event, inviting a couple of their competitors along but setting the rules yourself?

Dagnabit · 10/02/2018 23:39

Sounds like an MLM!! You say High Steet store but I would give this one a swerve...

KatharinaRosalie · 10/02/2018 23:39

So which part is supposed to be the fundraising? The shop understands you're raising funds for the charity, not the shop, yes?

DonkeyOil · 10/02/2018 23:42

I'd be tempted to pat the store manager on the head and move on. Unless your charity is one that supports failing High Street stores

This made me laugh! Grin

Ginkypig · 10/02/2018 23:46

Personally I'd name the shop on here!

SpitefulMidLifeAnimal · 11/02/2018 00:03

Body Shop at Home?

Sparklesocks · 11/02/2018 00:09

Bizarre! Keep well out of it!