To think charities shouldn't do this?

[Chromatographer]

I live in a small/medium sized town of about 35,000 people.

Generally speaking, the most expensive houses are in two areas near the centre. I live in one of these areas (relevant).

In the past 2 months, we've had at least 8 charity envelopes dropped through the door, and then someone comes round to collect them. We've had the local town charity, Christian aid, a local hospice, and several other national charities.

I wouldn't mind one or two, but it just gets annoying after a while. I never have any cash on me in the evenings, and I have to root around to try to find a few coins. And then they always want you to giftaid, so it takes ages, when I'm often in the middle of something else like the kids' tea,

While giftaiding an envelope yesterday, I asked the lady who had come to collect it how they find enough people to give out and collect envelopes from the whole town. She said, "Oh, we don't, we just do my area and the other expensive area".

AIBU to be annoyed by this? Just because people are living in more expensive houses, doesn't mean they have more spare cash. Often they need the extra bedrooms because they have bigger families, or (like us) have a humongous mortgage.

Would it be unreasonable to refuse to return any more charity envelopes? I just feel like they're taking advantage of us.

Yanbu

We don't get this but I certainly wouldn't give at the door

Just say 'no thanks'

I think it’s sensible marketing to target the areas most likely to be able to afford to give. You know you don’t HAVE to give anything?

I’ve also never come across these charity envelopes of which you speak?

If you're donating then that's encouraging them to keep doing it. Just bin the envelopes and tell them to jog on. I have my own two favourite charities I support monthly and say no to everything else, I can't afford to give to everyone who asks and you have to draw the line somewhere.

Yanbu.

I hate that chuggers now knock on doors. I do not want to be disturbed in my home, especially not in the evenings when I am usually bedding the kids, and they usually call. I also don't want to give my bank details to a random stranger on the street, even if they claim to be representing a charity.

YABVU

It's a well known fact that poorer people give a higher percentage of their income to charity.
Nothing wrong with trying to balance that out.

If they only have X amount of collectors then it makes a lot of financial sense to target the more affluent areas in a town.

You really don't have to donate though. I'd just hand the envelope back (for reuse) and say I already support my chosen charities.

But you obviously can afford it if you can keep finding money to put in the envelopes. Hence they will keep dropping them off.

You don't have top refuse the return them or be rude, just say that you won't be giving any more donations at the door as you are concentrating on your own chosen charities. Or whatever else you want to say.

But you can't be cross at them keep coming back if you keep giving money.

They are foolish. I've collected for years and people in 'nicer' houses give much less or nothing at all. Ditto people in shiny suits with nice watches street collecting.

Rich people are tighter than a ducks arse if my extensive sampling is anything to go by. And I did everything from Greenpeace to Save the Children.

Yes OP, I agree, I would get one of those signs saying No Cold Callers if I was in your position.

I wouldn't give my giftaid details to someone at the door either, nor to someone on a stall.

Recently, a lot of charities in this area that used to have door to door or street collectors etc. have changed their system to having a stand outside a supermarket and refusing all cash donations but asking people to sign up for direct debit there and then.

I have asked the representatives about this a couple of times and they have said that with direct debit donations, the charities know how much they have coming in and can plan their spending much more effectively. Apparrently relying on cash donations is too unpredictable.

I've never heard of these money envelopes. Mind you, I do live in an inexpensive area, so they are probably right not to waste time on us!

YANBU

but I also think you are BU to give anything at the door. By principle, I say no to any cold caller, unless I recognise uniforms from one of our local schools or scouts - and that's assuming all my cash hasn't already disappear in one of my kids school bags.

I am hoping that if all my neighbours refuse to give anything, ever, the cold callers will eventually get the message, and to be fair we don't have that many.

We keep a bowl in the kitchen and put small change in, rather than carry it around. When someone knocks we have a handful of (copper) coins to give them.

Just say no?

Did you read your op back before posting.

I live in the posh part of town in an expensive house. People think I might be able to spare a bob or two for those less fortunate. I have since found out that they don't ask those who don't have two beans to rub together. AIBU to think that charity giving should not be based on wealth but that those poorer than me should give just as much as I do, if I can find some spare change hanging around, surely those who budget within an inch of their lives and live from one pay check to another should be able to as well!

For charitable giving using the ACORN classification D and E groups give more so their logic is flawed

a) You don't have to give anything. Just so no thank you.

b) complaining about charities desperately trying to raise money off wealthy people is not a good look.

If you want to give to charity why don't you research which ones you want to donate to. There are so many so-called charities that are anything but. Then with a clear conscience you can tell the ones that call at your door to do one.

IME the poor are far more generous charitable givers, so their strategy is all wrong, but if it works locally for these charities of course they should concentrate their efforts where they'll get the greater return.

I've been known to hand back the empty envelope, which throws them somewhat, it's not compulsory to put anything in it.

Diamond shoes too tight?

Really op? Yabvvu. Why are people annoyed about charities trying to raise money. All charities have to find ways to raise funds. Would you prefer if charities didn't exist? If you're kind enough to give money giving your gift aid details means the charity receives additional funds.

If you don't want to donate, just say no or put a sign on your door saying no charity collectors.

Christian Aid is the only one I know of that does the envelope thing through the door, and we always support them.

Don't know of any others - who are they OP?

I can understand OP's viewpoint. We stretched ourselves and do without to afford our house. If we'd bought a cheaper house we'd have more disposable income. It doesn't always follow that people in more expensive houses have more money to spend.

It’s a request for money, not a demand.
Heaven forbid they try to optimise their precious resources for the best return