To think the Co op should not allow this?

[KimberleyClark]

Just been to my small local Co op for a few things and chuggers just inside the door. It was so intimidating. Right there in my face as I walked in. Ignored them as they tried to engage with me as I waked in, they tried again as I walked out and called have a nice day as I left. I do give to various charities but I do hate this.

I complained to the Co-Op when a chugger came up to me just as I finished paying for my purchases, I was still at the till packing my stuff away. I was told that "the manager has been made aware of your comments".

It’s the bag packers at the checkout that annoy me. Ok so they are usually local charities and it’s a one off cash donation, but it’s so socially awkward to have someone hover in your personal space. And I have a system for bag packing, like everyone does. So I pack my bags myself and feel awkward so give them my spare change.

I often get accosted by chuggers and now I say, with a bright smile, ‘unfortunately I don’t give money to charity on the street’. There isn’t anything they can say to that. Sometimes chuggers like to pretend it’s ’not a sign up’ but there’s no way they are not effectively asking for money in the street one way or another.

I do give quite a bit of money to charity but at my leisure and own choosing.

Just snort laughed at that! great response

it's so rude & while I do sympathise with the students working for these charities, I'm like literally sometimes buying 25 cent beans & 80 cent bread for our dinner!

I once complained to marks and spencer about a man who rattled a tin for disabled children. I looked at the label on the tin and googled the charity who were situated in Durham..I’m in London. They said they had no collectors here. When I told marks this they told me to contact the police. I said no way..he was in their area outside their shop..a food store so I frequently saw him. He did disappear so I assume they had a word with him.

And they wonder why the British high street is declining it’s no bloody wonder.

I use online shopping now for food. Nice person in a van brings me food.

I suspect the supermarkets allow it because can you imagine if they said no? “Sainsbury’s bans kids cancer charity from collecting” like Sainsbury’s is pro children’s cancer and anti kids surviving.

They call at my door too. I do feel sorry for them because they're usually pretty young and they should have better jobs than that.

No it shouldn't be allowed. I don't think those chugger folk should be employed. by charities.

Absolutely this. At first, I thought how strange, I've never experienced this, then I realised they are in most of the supermarkets I go to but I just walk straight past without really noticing!

Just say "Leave me alone". You don't owe them politeness.

I hurt the feelings of a lovely wee chugger near charing cross the other day. I smiled and said I didn't support chuggers. He hadn't heard the term and did a proper oof when I explained it's charity mugging....

Bless him.

Way back when I was a student I went for a job that turned out to be this basically. Don't feel bad at all for being rude barely any money from these go to the actual charity. I think I worked out by the time any charity would actually see any money after paying everything it would be 4/5 months of donations. By which point I figured most people would have cancelled as not cornered in the street.

I also read an article about one agency with a blue top who seem to roam outside my work place every other day, were they questioned how charitable it actually was.

You must look like you do

Another hater here.

I have just about figured out how to dodge them around my town but the worst of all is when they actually knock on your front door with a sob story begging for direct debits.

One particularly persistent chunt didn't even give up when I (truthfully) said I donated to several charities already - quick as a flash he sarcastically said "so, name them then", fully expecting to shame me...

me too and I contact the charities and tell them

I haven't read every post so this may have been mentioned. My experience with "them" is much like others' but when I'm approaching and they call out LOVE YOUR HAIR !! Mine is long and wavy and a nice shade but their compliment doesn't fool me. I just smile and keep walking. Do they really expect me to blush and giggle and fall for their sales pitch? They can jog on. I fell for it once a few years ago and agreed to sign up for £10 a month. Not long after the charity emailed me asking would I increase it and all I did was cancel it altogether. 😠

You think that's bad; outside my local Co-op there are homeless/druggies/tramps sitting/lying outside half-obstructing the doorway in.

I have only bit back once at one of these coming out from morrisons. He basically walked alongside me on my way out nattering on about the children’s charity (a very large, worldwide one) and how for a small monthly donation I could help x amount of children etc. so I snapped at him and said you are keeping me from feeding my own children right now. He seemed a bit taken aback like no-one had ever got annoyed with him before which was a bloody wonder because he might have been one of the most irritating people I’ve ever come across in person.
I didn’t and still don’t feel guilty. Ask if you absolutely must but take no for an answer!
I don’t answer the door to any that come knocking. I don’t even try to pretend I’m not in either, it’s clear I’m choosing to ignore them. And they always knock when I’ve just put the toddler to bed the bastards.

do you love animals?

1. Yes, deep fried
2. no, can't stand them

The Fundraising Regulator investigates complaints about fundraising practice. I'd highly recommend complaining about some of the behaviours mentioned here. Chuggers/face to face fundraisers get given insane targets, rarely get decent training on what they're not allowed to do, lots of charities use agencies, and rogue volunteers are a problem too, so it's a bit of a Wild West.

www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/complaints

I always put in a tin and say no to direct debts. I hate people accessing my bank account.
I worked for a hospice and 30% of their revenue came from direct donations.
My husband's work do a set donation each month and he ticks the charities he supports each year.

What are chuggers?

I just smile at them, with eye contact, and keep on walking by.

"Do you care about the elderly?"
Smile and walk!

"Do you like animals?"
Smile and walk!

"Do you want to help beat cancer?"
Smile and walk!