Charity Muggers
Discussion
I know these have been around the high street and knocking doors for a while now, but it seems their new (to me) tactic is to lurk inside of shops to try and sign you up piss you off. Nipped down to the local Shell garage to grab some lunch earlier and there were a couple standing right outside the door, with their little table and banner blowing around in the wind, blocking half the entrance and generally getting in peoples way. I guess I had a miserable enough face on that they didn't bother trying to stop me, but just surprised that they can drum up enough business in a location where people are generally in a rush and just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Not sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
Not sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
Tottenham Court Road used to be the Mos Eisley of Chuggers.
The trick is to never ever make eye contact.
Over time, the opening gambit changed from, "Good afternoon, do you have 5 minutes" to things like "How would you like to leave here knowing you've done something amazing" or words to that effect.
Just to set up a direct debit to save lesser spotted s
t beetles in Australia if you were daft enough to engage.
The trick is to never ever make eye contact.
Over time, the opening gambit changed from, "Good afternoon, do you have 5 minutes" to things like "How would you like to leave here knowing you've done something amazing" or words to that effect.
Just to set up a direct debit to save lesser spotted s
t beetles in Australia if you were daft enough to engage.They have started knocking on our front door and start with their spiel as soon as you open the door. Once they pause for breath I just say "I don't sign up for things at the door" and they usually just leave. I now look out the window before I open the door, and if I see a clipboard and coat/bib I won't open it.
These charity muggers are employed by agencies which means a percentage of the money you donate will always be going to these agencies. I am sure I read it means the first 12 months of donations are basically swallowed up by agency costs.
They need to employ outgoing people to be charity muggers so they often advertise in the stage magazine.
These charity muggers are employed by agencies which means a percentage of the money you donate will always be going to these agencies. I am sure I read it means the first 12 months of donations are basically swallowed up by agency costs.
They need to employ outgoing people to be charity muggers so they often advertise in the stage magazine.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
They have started knocking on our front door and start with their spiel as soon as you open the door. Once they pause for breath I just say "I don't sign up for things at the door" and they usually just leave. I now look out the window before I open the door, and if I see a clipboard and coat/bib I won't open it.
These charity muggers are employed by agencies which means a percentage of the money you donate will always be going to these agencies. I am sure I read it means the first 12 months of donations are basically swallowed up by agency costs.
They need to employ outgoing people to be charity muggers so they often advertise in the stage magazine.
This is where the money I spent on my ring doorbell has been well worth it. I don't even have to get my fat behind up of the sofa to refuse them now.These charity muggers are employed by agencies which means a percentage of the money you donate will always be going to these agencies. I am sure I read it means the first 12 months of donations are basically swallowed up by agency costs.
They need to employ outgoing people to be charity muggers so they often advertise in the stage magazine.
Unusually (first time in a good few years) we had the Jehovah witnesses call round the other week.The girl was very attractive and the guy very affable, which I suppose goes with the territory (similar to last time but a different couple). I was caught out as I was expecting a delivery and was in the hallway at the time. Fair play to them, they left when I mentioned I wasn't interested.
fasimew said:
You're telling me people willingly give money to businesses for nothing in return? At least make it a tax write off.
Yup, when my parents retired and my mum wanted me to help cut back their expenses I went through their bank statements with them. I could not believe the number of direct debits they had to charity's and things like the post code lottery.Cancelled the lot of them.
texaxile said:
This is where the money I spent on my ring doorbell has been well worth it. I don't even have to get my fat behind up of the sofa to refuse them now.
Unusually (first time in a good few years) we had the Jehovah witnesses call round the other week.The girl was very attractive and the guy very affable, which I suppose goes with the territory (similar to last time but a different couple). I was caught out as I was expecting a delivery and was in the hallway at the time. Fair play to them, they left when I mentioned I wasn't interested.
Same with the Ring doorbell, although we do have the No sales etc sign on the door that seems to keep the majority away.Unusually (first time in a good few years) we had the Jehovah witnesses call round the other week.The girl was very attractive and the guy very affable, which I suppose goes with the territory (similar to last time but a different couple). I was caught out as I was expecting a delivery and was in the hallway at the time. Fair play to them, they left when I mentioned I wasn't interested.
I regularly see the JW`s set up by a car park I regularly use, and as you say, one is normally a very attractive girl to get the initial eye contact and flirty chat before the chap steams in with their version of who is the best sky fairy. They are polite enough though once you say you`re not interested.
Zetec-S said:
I know these have been around the high street and knocking doors for a while now, but it seems their new (to me) tactic is to lurk inside of shops to try and sign you up piss you off. Nipped down to the local Shell garage to grab some lunch earlier and there were a couple standing right outside the door, with their little table and banner blowing around in the wind, blocking half the entrance and generally getting in peoples way. I guess I had a miserable enough face on that they didn't bother trying to stop me, but just surprised that they can drum up enough business in a location where people are generally in a rush and just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Not sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
Start with a 1000 yard stare, walk straight, don't make eye contact or even acknowledge their existence and if they get in your way walk into them. Don't apologise or again, even acknowledge their existence. Make sure they know you're giving them less attention than you would a bollard. Not sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
Then again I'm such an ugly
people don't want to run into me in a well lit alley. Zetec-S said:
I know these have been around the high street and knocking doors for a while now, but it seems their new (to me) tactic is to lurk inside of shops to try and sign you up piss you off. Nipped down to the local Shell garage to grab some lunch earlier and there were a couple standing right outside the door, with their little table and banner blowing around in the wind, blocking half the entrance and generally getting in peoples way. I guess I had a miserable enough face on that they didn't bother trying to stop me, but just surprised that they can drum up enough business in a location where people are generally in a rush and just want to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Not sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
Even worse when they knock on the front door. I did feel sorry for one women who was like a drowned rat in torrential rain door knockingNot sure what the point of my post is, other than a half arsed mini rant, is there any other locations they set up to try and ambush you?
I worked at Barnardo's in their marketing department in the 90s when this type of fundraising was starting to become more widely used. There was a lot of debate about it at the time.
The service is provided by a third party company who (or at least did, may have changed since) charge a set-up fee and a flat rate per-sign up fee. The fundraisers are paid employees rather than well-meaning volunteers.
From the charity's perspective, it's a good deal. They get additional revenue at little additional cost or effort. And they're getting regular donations which for many is of far greater benefit than lots of one-off donations.
The debate was around the reputational risk. There was and still is a lot of love for Barnarado's and my view was this could be tarnished with such a practice. I could see it working for some of the more 'trendy' organisations but personally, I felt we were above such tactics. They didn't implement it when I was there but have since seen and encountered some raising money for them. I presume it's worth it.
The service is provided by a third party company who (or at least did, may have changed since) charge a set-up fee and a flat rate per-sign up fee. The fundraisers are paid employees rather than well-meaning volunteers.
From the charity's perspective, it's a good deal. They get additional revenue at little additional cost or effort. And they're getting regular donations which for many is of far greater benefit than lots of one-off donations.
The debate was around the reputational risk. There was and still is a lot of love for Barnarado's and my view was this could be tarnished with such a practice. I could see it working for some of the more 'trendy' organisations but personally, I felt we were above such tactics. They didn't implement it when I was there but have since seen and encountered some raising money for them. I presume it's worth it.
A few years ago my local super market allowed charities to set up at the entrance. These charity people were like ninja's, ambush the unsuspecting and relieve them of a donation, didn't work on everyone, even when they trotted out the "but don't you care?" line.
One day we were preparing to run the gauntlet after finishing the shopping when they stopped the guy in front of me. He said no, the "but don't you care?" line was fired off at him, he took great exception to this and demanded to see the manager. This could be interesting I thought so hung around until the manager appeared. The customer was one of the most erudite complainers I have heard. The manager immediately told the charity people to pack up and go.
It seems that customers were getting fed up with these chugger types, this being the last straw, no more charities for a few years.
One day we were preparing to run the gauntlet after finishing the shopping when they stopped the guy in front of me. He said no, the "but don't you care?" line was fired off at him, he took great exception to this and demanded to see the manager. This could be interesting I thought so hung around until the manager appeared. The customer was one of the most erudite complainers I have heard. The manager immediately told the charity people to pack up and go.
It seems that customers were getting fed up with these chugger types, this being the last straw, no more charities for a few years.
There is a particular charity that have people stood around some London train stations, see them at Kings Cross and Euston mainly. It is knife crime related but they can be very pushy and borderline aggressive, sometimes giving sarcastic remarks if you don't want to stop. Really not pleasant and surprising they get very far with that tactic
FlabbyMidgets said:
There is a particular charity that have people stood around some London train stations, see them at Kings Cross and Euston mainly. It is knife crime related but they can be very pushy and borderline aggressive, sometimes giving sarcastic remarks if you don't want to stop. Really not pleasant and surprising they get very far with that tactic
Yeah, seen that lot at Liverpool Steer station, they just get a "Nah, sorry mate". Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff