Charity "Chuggers" Are At It Again In The Area Post Reply

[Denwand]

Looks like the doorstep charity collectors are at it again.

This time it's Oxfam - they are notorious for this and, whats worse, stopping you in the street with an over-friendly attitude and a clipboard to record your credit card number.

I'm sorry but I work for a large charity who would never knock on doors of employ Charity Muggers (known as chuggers ) on the street - we aren't even allowed to rattle tins lest this embarrasses the passers by!

No I never give at the door and donate to my chosen charities personally - although they are less than impressed when I tell them so. These chuggers take a 35% cut and that's before the charity takes it's own overhead.

Mind you it's a slick operation - a minibus turns up in your street and a dozen of them pile out like crack Paratroopers - a controller type then points to the houses to be targeted.

Just say no and donate personally!

[NYE31]

They have been hitting the St John's Road area for years, they are too much, I once tried to get away with the min donation just to get rid of one & he then had a go saying can't you donate more? so I walked away.

I prefer to choose the charities that I donate to rather than being forced or guilt tripped into handing over my details on the street.

[Denwand]

I agree NYE31!

I believe it's called "Interrupt sales" where they interrupt you as you are going about your daily business, walking along the street or worse in your on homes.

Cold calling is an another example of the interrupt technique.

Can't they understand - if I want to give to a particular charity I will approach them , I certainly don't want them hunting me down to ask! (Same with double glazing etc.)

But it must work or they wouldn't do it... I'm looking for a "Don't give at the door" sticker!

[Furzedown Dad]

But it must work or they wouldn't do it...

It's this, exactly. Charities have limited budgets, and if they could rely on direct donations without having to pay for chuggers, they would.

Unfortunately the situation is that most people, left to their own devices, don't donate to charity. I don't have a problem with that - it's down to individual choice, not to mention financial circumstances - but neither do I have a problem with charities using direct methods like the ones you mention to ask for money.

Of course, it's totally reasonably to expect them to be polite, and not to try to apply high-pressure sales tactics when you say no thanks. Completely understand how annoying it is when they're rude and pushy.

[NYE31]

Battersea dogs and cats home chuggers out in force tonight, they have been going from door to door since this afternoon, still going with no signs of giving up!!!!!

[Caferacer]

Although I can see that charities are tempted by this sort of pressured donation seeking, I do find it hard to swallow.

Yes it's true that left to our own devices we give less to charity than if cornered by someone in a tabard and holding a clipboard.

But I still think it's an intrusion - I'm a sponsor and volunteer for Prostate Cancer UK - and they never do "chugging" or "doorstepping" on principle.

In fact they even tell collectors not to rattle collection tins at sports events so not intimidate or embarrass the general public!

Incidentally i saw two Battersea Dogs Home chuggers on the Magdalen estate last Friday - they were arguing because one of them was fed up and wanted to go home!