To be annoyed by scam big issue sellers, and those behind this set up?

[Creambun2]

In my area of London a cohort of women sell the big issue, always outside waitrose stores. They rotate around different stores in the area on different days, so seller A will be at one store on Monday then move another on Tuesday to be replaced by B etc.

Several times I have seen these women using very recent iphones (and trying to be discrete about it) and I saw one last week being picked up by a man in a very new luxury car.

I think the big issue should be more aware of situations like this and try and prevent it? Aside from anything else I'm sure these women may be being exploited themselves.

I have concerns about the set up these days, sad as I like the ethos.

Why are the women in the wrong?
You don't know where the iPhones came from or who pays the bills. (I'm baffled at the significance of Waitrose and rotation bit. )

Report it. By issue sellers have to be licensed to sell them, passing specific checks. Contact them if your concerned.

However having a friend who owns a nice car, or an iPhone may not be a good indicator. I'm gifted my phones from my mum, there fairly up to date. Doesn't mean I'm wealthy enough to buy one.

it's the same everywhere. It's a shame that genuinely homeless people suffer because of the scam artists. When some people try to convince you that an iphone is a necessity, you rethink your views about the so-called "poverty". It's a shame, because some people genuinely need help.

I'm impressed you can tell a 'very recent' iPhone from a distance when someone is being discrete.

it doesn't matter if the iphone is not that recent, it's still a luxury item, as are all smartphones.

mrsterrypratchett its no mystery - I was coming out of the small back entrance of the store and saw the women using the large style iphone 7/8 in the corner. She had left her folding deck chair thing at the main store entrance.

I’m afraid I suspect our local sellers of being part of an organised group and don’t buy from them any more. Still buy where the sellers seem genuine as it is such a good concept.

My implication was that the OP may have been a little... you know... embellishy.

I give away my old phones when I get a new one. For free.

And if you are looking for a job, housing, working on recovery with a sponsor, are a refugee, anything like that, a phone is useful. Homeless people are allowed to prioritise too.

What is it with people who have money who think it’s ok to somehow attack anyone who dares to make ends meet in this way. Some people can sell the big issue and still have an iPhone. Not every destitute person is out to rob you or take advantage.

I am so sick of hearing those who are clearly ok off financially attack those less well off. Just leave it. You’re being a dick.

Why can’t big issue sellers/poor people have luxuries. What’s wrong with you all?!

Yes. I always used to buy a Big Issue on my trips to central London, as a sort of thank you for my Freedom pass and there was a local seller who I got to know quite well. But then it seemed to turn into a business opportunity for E.European gangs with a gangmaster, rather than individuals, which I was v dubious about. V much the same operators who used to target tube trains, begging with babes in arms. Again, it's supermarkets and cash dispensers they seem to target round here.

it doesn't matter if the iphone is not that recent, it's still a luxury item, as are all smartphones.

Support workers give clients phones to keep in touch with them, and to be able to communicate with the Jobcentre and other agencies. These phones are often donated, and whilst some can be old and battered, others look good as new.

Don't assume something that you clearly don't understand.

So no-one thinks the seller being picked up at the end of the day by a man in a expensive car is in anyway suspicious? Very trusting of you.

Not going to stop me buying it. Report it by all means but most big issue sellers are genuine, doing their best and it's a decent read. I wouldn't say an old iPhone is a luxury item it's not like you'd get much for selling one.

I wondered how all of a sudden big issue sellers seem to be mostly Eastern European. Why the noticeable and seemingly overnight change? Happy to be proved wrong.

I’ll admit i don’t buy them anymore. I had a friend as a youngster who sold it and had friends who sold them, they all had houses and the latest sports gear etc usually knocked off but still. It’s not nice to doubt anyone though and I frequently give to the homeless even though you cant really know for sure who’s genuinely needing it, its sad that the people I encountered as a youngster makes me see things that way. I know a particular man now who is homeless, I pass him most days and always give what I can, I know his backstory and really feel for him. I try and view it now as if they are out there in the cold at all hours their need is certainly greater than mine.

Creambun We don't have the Big Issue here in Belgium - but we do have the gang problem. One can frequently see the blokes who beg at the traffic lights being dropped off or picked up in large Mercedes, and at times in Brussels, you can see groups of beggars being dropped off in minibuses.

I don’t trust it anymore as an organisation.

They have recently started sending sellers to tiny local villages, usually they are Eastern European with little English. They don’t seem to sell very much but when there is only a spar and a butchers there’s not much trade.

My impression was it was meant to be a step up - some sellers have been selling for years round here.

Most sellers in my area now are eastern European.

Selling the BI means you are self employed which opens up the right to claim a host of benefits. That’s the reason it’s profitable not selling the odd random copy for £3 so you not buying it makes no difference to the gangs