...and would you like to donate £1 to charity?

goldilocks · 25-02-2008, 18:41

i did a bit of shopping today - and in various shops at the checkout when purchasing my goods i was asked 'and would you like to donate £1 to 'X' charity?'

now...

i am big supporter of a number of charities - i think that we should all donate (however small the amount) when we can
but i do object to being asked to add an extra pound to my bill when i'm only spending £2.30 (on something completely unrelated to charity) and the fact that they were collecting was not advertised any where
how do i know the money will go to the charity?
how much of my £1 will go to the companies handling charges?
i was paying on my card, it wasn't like i was putting the odd quid into a sealed charity box - it would have been debited with my shopping.

i was in a huge queue, and i felt like a bit of an arse saying no, but we do give to charity, and to be fair payday isn't until thursday (maybe if i'd have been asked on thursday i'd feel more generous!)

so, am i an arse? i'm feeling pretty silly for saying no now. what would you have done?

(yes i know it's only a pound, but i went into about 12 shops today and i'll be going into town probably every day this week - it would add up!)

Marmoset · 25-02-2008, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldilocks

so, am i an arse?

No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldilocks

what would you have done?

Politely said "No thank you". I give to the charities that I want to give to. I hate this method of confronting you with it and trying to guilt you into handing money over.

They've started doing it in one of my locals. Sat with the missus having a pint and a girl came over and asked if I wanted to donate to the NSPCC. I said "No thanks" and she said "Are you sure?" Yes I'm sure, now bugger off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldilocks

yes i know it's only a pound

The amount is immaterial. It's the principle that winds me up.

Blackstar · 25-02-2008, 18:48

Nope, i object to being asked for the same reasons you stated. I give to charity when i can afford to and am running race for life this year but when you are shopping it seems a bit rude and pushy of them to ask outright.

BBx · 25-02-2008, 18:57

No way.

If any of the chuggers stopped me in the street I would be giving them the double glazing schpeal...

If I want one I will look myself thank you

BB x

Muban · 25-02-2008, 19:07

No you aren't. I find this kind of thing really annoying. Like when there are bag packers at checkouts collecting for charity (as well as the pressure tactics to give I prefer to pack my own shopping anyway). I always politely decline but it bothers me that I have to. Some people find it too hard to say no and give anyway. What about people who cant afford to give even if it's just a little, being made to feel bad just becuase they can't give.

I do give to charities, ones that are close to my heart (RAFA, SSAFA & cancer charities). I tend not to give to others unless it's for friends sponsorship etc and I don't see why I should be pressured to by random people I don't know. Reminds me I must go to Kiva and choose a new business to lend give a loan to: I got my first loan repaid in full on Saturday

Stan_Lite · 25-02-2008, 19:12

I wouldn't have given them anything either. It's as bad as having a collecting tin thrust in front of you when you're trying to leave the shop.
I want to say "Take your ****ing begging bowl out of my face. When I want to donate to a charity, it'll be a charity of my choosing at a time of my choosing."

I dislike all this pressure charity stuff. I can see why they do it but I just find it distasteful.

MarcLister · 25-02-2008, 19:25

No, you were right.

goldilocks · 25-02-2008, 20:16

phew - i'm glad i'm not the only one

i want to come up with something witty, but polite to say if it happens again tomorrow - *thinking hat on*

MarcLister · 25-02-2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldilocks

phew - i'm glad i'm not the only one

i want to come up with something witty, but polite to say if it happens again tomorrow - *thinking hat on*

"Would 99p be enough?"

Wossi · 25-02-2008, 20:25

I donated to something similar when I was shopping in America. I was spending $200 so figured an extra $10 is nothing, plus it was for a cancer charity and I always try and donate to them since my cousin in law was diagnosed with and subsequently died of throat cancer (through no fault of his own)

25-02-2008, 18:41	#1
goldilocks Abandoned Ship Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 335	...and would you like to donate £1 to charity? i did a bit of shopping today - and in various shops at the checkout when purchasing my goods i was asked 'and would you like to donate £1 to 'X' charity?' now... i am big supporter of a number of charities - i think that we should all donate (however small the amount) when we can but i do object to being asked to add an extra pound to my bill when i'm only spending £2.30 (on something completely unrelated to charity) and the fact that they were collecting was not advertised any where how do i know the money will go to the charity? how much of my £1 will go to the companies handling charges? i was paying on my card, it wasn't like i was putting the odd quid into a sealed charity box - it would have been debited with my shopping. i was in a huge queue, and i felt like a bit of an arse saying no, but we do give to charity, and to be fair payday isn't until thursday (maybe if i'd have been asked on thursday i'd feel more generous!) so, am i an arse? i'm feeling pretty silly for saying no now. what would you have done? (yes i know it's only a pound, but i went into about 12 shops today and i'll be going into town probably every day this week - it would add up!)

25-02-2008, 18:48	#3
Blackstar Ambassador of Awesome Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edinburger Posts: 3,676	Nope, i object to being asked for the same reasons you stated. I give to charity when i can afford to and am running race for life this year but when you are shopping it seems a bit rude and pushy of them to ask outright. __________________ Jim Garrahy's Fudge Kitchen

25-02-2008, 19:07	#5
Muban Shoes, Boobs & Corsets Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The fastest town in Scotland Posts: 1,882	No you aren't. I find this kind of thing really annoying. Like when there are bag packers at checkouts collecting for charity (as well as the pressure tactics to give I prefer to pack my own shopping anyway). I always politely decline but it bothers me that I have to. Some people find it too hard to say no and give anyway. What about people who cant afford to give even if it's just a little, being made to feel bad just becuase they can't give. I do give to charities, ones that are close to my heart (RAFA, SSAFA & cancer charities). I tend not to give to others unless it's for friends sponsorship etc and I don't see why I should be pressured to by random people I don't know. Reminds me I must go to Kiva and choose a new business to lend give a loan to: I got my first loan repaid in full on Saturday __________________ well, not to put a too fine point to it, he was discovered.. in the lounge

25-02-2008, 19:12	#6
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	I wouldn't have given them anything either. It's as bad as having a collecting tin thrust in front of you when you're trying to leave the shop. I want to say "Take your ****ing begging bowl out of my face. When I want to donate to a charity, it'll be a charity of my choosing at a time of my choosing." I dislike all this pressure charity stuff. I can see why they do it but I just find it distasteful. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

25-02-2008, 19:25	#7
MarcLister Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leighton Buzzard Posts: 1,282	No, you were right. __________________ Website (sod all on there!) \| MSN \| Email

25-02-2008, 18:57	#4
BBx Reverse SuBo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 8,673	No way. If any of the chuggers stopped me in the street I would be giving them the double glazing schpeal... If I want one I will look myself thank you BB x

25-02-2008, 20:16	#8
goldilocks Abandoned Ship Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 335	phew - i'm glad i'm not the only one i want to come up with something witty, but polite to say if it happens again tomorrow - thinking hat on

25-02-2008, 20:25	#10
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	I donated to something similar when I was shopping in America. I was spending $200 so figured an extra $10 is nothing, plus it was for a cancer charity and I always try and donate to them since my cousin in law was diagnosed with and subsequently died of throat cancer (through no fault of his own)