Charity collectors hovering in shop doorways

[Jenjenyeahyeah]

I need to start by saying I’m not a terrible person, I do give to charity (and used to work for a charity!) and that in certain places I don’t mind charity collectors.
However, AIBU to think that they should not be allowed to hover inside shop doorways with their eagle eyes and big buckets because it makes people uncomfortable. Or is it just me? I went for a little look around the retail park this afternoon and actually didn’t go into Matalan, even though I was planning to, because of a woman pacing back and forth the entry doors inside with a charity bucket stopping people as they went in. It made me so uncomfortable the thought of having to either avoid her and rudely hurry past or to say no, explain I don’t have any cash and that I already have a DD to chosen charity that I just walked past to avoid it and went onto the next shop. Do the shops that give them permission to do this worry about people being put off from coming in? I don’t like talking to people/stranger/small talk at the best of times (hello self check-out I’m checking you out!) and this just stresses me out more. Am I being silly?

I do sound like a grinch but i really don't like the charity bag packers in supermarkets.

If i see them i will go to another shop! It just feels so awkward saying "no thanks" while they stand there until you've paid. Sometimes i don't want to support what they're collecting for especially if it's a trip abroad or something.

I must live in a very mean place. No chuggers or buckets. Never seen a charity bag packer. Got a regular big issue seller. I live in the south in a town with many tourists year round. Do these people target particular areas? I suppose they must do.

It is off putting. I've not been back to my local matalan since being accosted at the exit with a lady arranging home visits for will writing with a charity. I started off polite when she gestured to my child and asked if I had a will. She then got shirty when I asked for more details rather than signing up for a one hour visit at my home there and then. I also don't like the shopping bag packers. Even though you shouldn't be embarrassed, there's a lot of things you could be purchasing that i would feel horrified at 12 year old boys packing for me, or watching me pack. Massive period pants, pregnancy tests, booze, condoms etc. Shudder!

YANBU. I will actively avoid a shop that has them in the doorway. I have direct debits set up for specific charities every month and often put money in buckets, but I hate this was that you cannot avoid them and I feel so guilty for walking past.

Just say, no thanks, whats the big deal? Is everyone in the world turning into snowflakes?

I don't mind the bucket collectors so much but I hate chuggers and avoid shops where they are lurking in the doorway. I know they need donations to be able to do the good work they do but I've seen so many unethical practices by chuggers that I will never donate through them

I can and do say "no", but for some of us, it's uncomfortable and awkward. I don't like making small talk with strangers to begin with, and having to say no to a request for charity is unpleasant.

It's annoying to be put on the spot and to feel as a result (even when you know it's irrational) that you're somehow a bad, selfish person for not wanting to make a donation every time you go shopping.

I hate it. Nothing puts me in a less charitable mood, honestly.

You don't need to start by saying I'm not a terrible person. It's not bad to not give to charity. I hate those people who stand around with boxes or chase you up the highstreet.

I don't mind bucket people. Generally they are ok and just stand there. I hate people that corner you outside shops and shout things at you. I find it really rude. I've had some people who go to hand you a leaflet, and when you go to take it they literally pull you in.

I hate being bothered full stop by strangers (unless it's someone who needs help reaching something in a supermarket something like that-I'm not a total monster.

But any religious things and charity things or sales folk just get a shake of the head. I don't say anything. Just go straight on by.

I dislike this, and chuggers too. They never seem to be in affluent areas, always hassling people in poorer working class areas. That must be an active choice by organisations.

If they can't equally be in and approach people in richer areas then I'm not inclined to give anything. I can't walk more than a few feet in my local town centre without bumping into them Affluent areas? I can walk around freely not having to avoid their gaze or have them stand in my path.

Puts me in mind of working class people being expected to be the conscience of the government and give charitably to services they should be funding, but disgracefully aren't bothered to.

Worse - some aren't even legit charities but con artists.

Personally I have preferred charities which I donate to when I can afford - which isn't often.

I'm currently housebound. But when I am out and about our local mall is DREADFUL for this.

I've personally witnessed appalling harassment of the elderly and disabled (particularly those that obviously have a learning disability). It's disgusting behaviour.

3 I asked for their proof they are a registered charity which they should have been able to provide - which I reported to police, had a gut feeling, they turned out to be con artists.

Others I have reported to the mall management but it didn't make much difference, but then there's local issues there.

These people collecting are rarely volunteers, they are paid and paid very well for their time.

Personally I think the laws on this need a serious overhaul.

"These days it’s all so aggressive" because they're effectively working on commission - so the more money they harass out of people the more they make.

Where they've been given permission to fundraise in a shop, if they're harassing complain to the shop, TELL them it put you off shopping there - if they know it's costing them custom they'll soon step in!

Celticrose - big issue sellers have strict rules they have to abide by, that sounds like they broke the vendor agreement.

www.bigissue.org.uk/sites/default/files/the_vendor_agreement.pdf

Semster - I've done similar when in the right frame of mind. I'll actually say to them when they start the selling part "so you lied then! When you said you weren't selling anything" "well no but..." "Yes you did you lied". I particularly like messing with the broadband providers who claim they can 'guarantee' me a better price. I have an excellent deal with my provider achieved through a combination of loyalty, getting them new customers and negotiation. There isn't and hasn't been for several years been a better deal offered by other companies AND I get excellent customer service too. A few of these companies I've been a customer in the past and I know their customer service is shocking!

"They never seem to be in affluent areas, always hassling people in poorer working class areas. That must be an active choice by organisations." It is - 2 reasons. Poorer people are more generous numerous studies support this. But I believe also possibly less educated, less 'worldly' people are easier to persuade. And poorer areas contain more people with mh issues, addiction issues, people with learning disabilities etc who are also easier to persuade, to manipulate.

They're certainly not bloody stupid!

It's disgusting.

I hate them too, especially when they come to the door. I ask what percentage actually goes to the charity, then inform them I only donate directly to charities.