Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to really object to a charity sending someone to bang on my door at this time of the evening

21 replies

MrsFogi · 25/06/2008 20:07

to try to get me to sign up to a direct debit? Large charities seem to be getting more and more aggressive in their marketing but the result is that I actively avoid them going forward and give to other charities.

OP posts:
TheCoderator · 25/06/2008 20:07

its only 8pm

mindalina · 25/06/2008 20:08

Which charity?

posieflump · 25/06/2008 20:09

someone came roundthe otherday for demnetia.
I was like 'yes I'd love to donate wait while I get my purse'

'no no' says the aged gentlemen, we can't take cash due to our risk, we have to sign you up for a direct debit every month
I understand the saftey issue but i was already to give a couple of quid... but not sign up every money
so they lost my money is basically what I am saying

posieflump · 25/06/2008 20:10

all ready

posieflump · 25/06/2008 20:11

gah not sign up every month

me and my typos will get our coats

southeastastra · 25/06/2008 20:12

they annoy me, i just tell them i don't have a bank account and they go away quite quickly. they never come to the door though

Hassled · 25/06/2008 20:17

I've had 3 calls in the last week from Action Aid, wanting to know if it was a convenient time for them to "talk about their work". Each time I said it wasn't convenient but that I already have 2 monthly DDs to different charities and feel that's all I can afford right now.

All they've really achieved is to make me feel slightly negatively towards them, which is a real shame (and irrational, I know) because they're a worthwhile cause. I do wonder who is giving these charities marketing/fundraising advice - they should concentrate on media ads, IMO.

alicet · 25/06/2008 20:36

I actually really object to people coming and cold calling at anytime. It's an invasion of my privacy!

And agree it would stop me from giving to that charity in the future

MrsFogi · 25/06/2008 20:53

I object to cold callling at any time but 20h is just when I've got the dds to sleep so a bang at the door is not welcome.

OP posts:
MrsFogi · 25/06/2008 20:54

McMillan Cancer Mindalina

OP posts:
spudmasher · 25/06/2008 20:55

It is awful- we get a lot on our road. I just say 'I am giving to cancer research this year but leave me a leaflet and I will consider you for next year' which is true.

poppy34 · 25/06/2008 20:59

also feel this way about those people who accost you in the street (esp since I believe that if you sign up for a dd with them quite a high proportion of your donation goes in admin fees to pay for the people who solicit you).

It actually puts me off the charities that go in for this method of collection ..which is probably being unreasonable as I daresay its very hard to get donations

joyfulspike · 25/06/2008 22:06

We get at least one each week! Bloody nuisance. I think they do it now to get round the house-to-house collecting rules. You need a licence from the council or police to go door to door collecting money. This way they avoid that and its often more lucrative. Those who bang on the door aren't usually charity reps anyway, the charity hires a fundraising firm who take a commission or a flat rate on each person they sign up. Its often the same with the clothes collections - if you read the small print often a third party does the collection and keeps a certain amount. Charity is VERY lucrative.

Ozziegirly · 26/06/2008 04:54

I donate through a workplace giving scheme - and I have to say this is partly so I could say to chuggers "I donate to charity through work".

Twiglett · 26/06/2008 05:36

I object to Chuggers .. charity muggers who stand in the street or come to your door and try to get you to sign to a DD mandate .. you know that most of your subscriptions for the first year or so go to pay their commission don't you?

these people are working for pay, not volunteering

someone has to pay them

and the money you think is going to the charity goes to them

bunchoflowers · 26/06/2008 09:25

Ugh.... TOTALLY annoying!

I got so annoyed with an electricity man who came round the other day trying to get me to go with a new provider I almost slammed the door in his face. It's so flipping intrusive! If I want a new electricity provider I can get one??? I have a phone. I have an internet. I do not need someone coming into my house and almost arguing with me as to why I should be with a different electricity provider !!! AAaaarghhhh!!!! Now if it was the Avon lady, that might be a different matter.

hatrick · 26/06/2008 09:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

wonderstuff · 26/06/2008 09:46

Okay so I used to be one of those really annoying people who ask you to sign up on the street...
Yes they do get paid, but not directly by the charity and I certainly wasn't on commission

The charity uses them because it works and raises an awful lot of money. The charity paid the company I worked for per donation, about £20 I think, they work on the basis that the average person donated £5 (min was £3) and on average they would give for 5 years, so they recieved £300, which is quite a good return really. The charity really doesn't want to p you off, if you aren't interested a firm no should get rid of them. We used to call as well, if you say 'now is not a good time' they will try another time, if you say 'I would rather you didn't call me' they should take note of that. The big charities are multi-million pound organisations, and it makes much more sense for them to get donations through banks that can be gift-aided than focus solely on rattling tins.. Did used to upset me that people gave more to dogs chrtities than any one else

TheMagnificent7 · 26/06/2008 11:15

It's amazing how arrogant it sounds when you they say you are offering too little money. People used to be grateful when you donated to them. I understand its difficult to raise funds, but space invading is awful, and chugging should be in desgnated areas like those for smokers. Then you can choose to be accosted in the street by aussie students and slightly sweaty blokes in bad blazers. Chugging isn't necessary, but as a clue, be polite if you have to. If I say no to your colleagues, don't be surprised when I tell you to FO for asking again.

I hate door knockers, and if I do answer I give them a couple of seconds to tell me they are sales then politely say no thanks just as I am shutting the door in their faces. I hope they stand there for a second not knowing whether to knock again. I don;t discuss charity donations with anyone because it just a gift, and nobody elses business. I happily give, but I carefully choose where it goes.

Must say that most charities that have been around for a while are good. A lot of outside funding goes into some, as part of many local and central government schemes. Legacies fund a great many too, so the admin costs are set off. The admin costs do have to be covered, and essentially whatever keeps the costs down must be good. But I wouldn't donate anymore by being pressured into it.

Macmillan Cancer Relief are a good exampple. Perfect charity, who I am very grateful to, but have to say not to ever give them any personal details as they exploit their marketing to pressure you into more donations, even when they say they won't. They have left a terribley bitter aftertaste for someone I would love to trust because they can't keep their fundraisers under control

wonderstuff · 26/06/2008 11:37

But how should charities raise funds TM7? I agree door knocking is invaision of space but 'chugging' raises lots and lots of money, very few get money from government or other funding. Legacies are great, but I personally would rather give in my lifetime. Bottom line is people have to approach you to get a donation don't they? Only a few very wellbfunded organisations can afford advertising

TheMagnificent7 · 26/06/2008 12:32

Tough one I know. BUt I object to having to pretend to be on the phone or practicing my stern look every time I brave the High Street. A stall, no problem. One chugger, annoying but OK. But 3 grinning FW asking the same thing, intrusively, is not on. And they get so aggressive when you stop and tell them to leave you alone. Making someone feel bad because they choose not to give to your charity is obscene.

As another matter that should be addressed, you are 100% wrong to give up your bank details to anyone in the street, or anyone at the door. Just don't do it. They can wait for you to be written to. Do not be afraid to say no, you can give at home when you have had time to consider it. They take advantage of you, so be sure you know who you are dealing with, in writing, and have seen ID from the person you give the details to.

Please note that this does not apply to putting 50p in the Poppy tin and getting a poppy from someone very old looking outside Sainsburys. They are probably OK. And will be grateful for any donation because that's just nice.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page