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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

really dumb question about charities and direct debits?

6 replies

ThisWasAMistake · 26/05/2022 12:39

If you have supported a charity by direct debit and wanted to stop supporting it, would you let them know or would you just cancel it?

I'm not talking a large amount - like £5 a month type of thing.

I'm not sure whether it would be the right thing to do to let them know or whether that's just silly. Is there an etiquette to this? Can I just cancel it?

I've supported them for several years and I'd keep going but I can't afford it right now. I don't want to get in to a conversation about this with them or be pressured to keep going - but at the same time feel it's a bit rude to cancel without telling them.

OP posts:
hulahooper2 · 26/05/2022 12:44

I would just cancel , you are really just a number to them

Original poster
ThisWasAMistake · 26/05/2022 12:47

ok - that makes me feel better. I still feel a bit icky about it. don't know why.

OP posts:
MrsGluck · 26/05/2022 12:48

Just cancel. When I did that, I got an email from the charity thanking me for my support.

BuanoKubiamVej · 26/05/2022 12:53

I've worked with lots of charities.

It's fine to cancel. We know people's circumstances change. We aren't going to be offended or feel negatively about you because you can't afford your support any more.

Please do inform the charity, otherwise next time a DD collection run happens and there's an unexplained rejection they will have to do a lot of legwork before they get to find out it's a deliberate cancellation, and that takes up time in the fundraising office that could be spent elsewhere so if the cause is valuable to you it's worth saving them that hassle.

At the same time you can also avoid going straight on the list for reactivating lapsed donors. Just send an email saying "Due to a change of circumstances I have had to cancel my Direct Debit, effective immediately. Please put a "Do not solicit" code against my record and do not include me in any appeals for the next 3 years, after which I may be in a position to reconsider this decision"

HeckyPeck · 26/05/2022 12:59

BuanoKubiamVej · 26/05/2022 12:53

I've worked with lots of charities.

It's fine to cancel. We know people's circumstances change. We aren't going to be offended or feel negatively about you because you can't afford your support any more.

Please do inform the charity, otherwise next time a DD collection run happens and there's an unexplained rejection they will have to do a lot of legwork before they get to find out it's a deliberate cancellation, and that takes up time in the fundraising office that could be spent elsewhere so if the cause is valuable to you it's worth saving them that hassle.

At the same time you can also avoid going straight on the list for reactivating lapsed donors. Just send an email saying "Due to a change of circumstances I have had to cancel my Direct Debit, effective immediately. Please put a "Do not solicit" code against my record and do not include me in any appeals for the next 3 years, after which I may be in a position to reconsider this decision"

I'm a Trustee for a small charity and I agree with this.

It's always easier if people let us know to save unnecessary admin.

Original poster
ThisWasAMistake · 26/05/2022 13:57

@BuanoKubiamVej and@HeckyPeck

Thank you both for this really great advice. Glad I asked.

OP posts:
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