Archived Topic
Topic ID 2848
07/06/2007 by Mouffloncake
"Charity" workers in town
I live & work in Hertford & am sick to the back teeth of being harassed by this new breed of charity worker.
Yesterday, I was stopped several times between Waitrose & Woolworths on my way to work by people sporting blue "Scope" tops.
The last one that stopped me wouldn't leave me alone & started walking up Maidenhead Street with me. I explained that I had already spoken to his colleague, the answer was "no" & that I had to go as I had a client waiting for me (I really did).
Without going too much into it, he started getting really shirty with me & I have to say I actually felt quite intimidated by this guy. His attitude & behaviour was totally unacceptable.
Sadly, I didn't get the worker's ID but I feel I need to make an official complaint, but I am not sure who I should complain to.
But then I feel bad about complaining.... because it's Charity.....
Sorry, this is my first post & I don't mean to rant.
Has anyone else felt intimidated/harassed by these people?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 41061
07/06/2007 by sloopjohnb
Unlike Stevenage there is no bylaws to stop this kind of harrassment. If it continues tell them they're being monitored by CCTV all the time (which they are) and if they persist you will call a)the police and b) East Herts Council licensing officer. Failing that ask one of the shops who has a radio to contact me and I can deal if in the area. They are some obscure laws that the Market Inspector told me that can be invoked but can't remember them.
I've warned one particular charity of their behaviour before when outside Monsoon/Accessorize - 'you spend £30 on a dress but not £5 to the Billy Cotton Home for Distressed Gentlefolk.'
Reply ID 41063
07/06/2007 by Steve
This form or fundraising has been around for a number of years and a range of charities have been operating in the town for some considerable time.
However, there are guidelines regarding their conduct and if they act aggresively or your are intimidated you should complain to either the charity concerned or to the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association at...
http://www.pfra.org.uk/complaints_form.htm?menuSet=down§ionSet=public
Reply ID 41065
07/06/2007 by Mouffloncake
Thank you all.
My fiance has just called Scope to put in a complaint on my behalf & is waiting for a call back from the company they employ who put these people on our streets.
The PFRA site was a useful link.
My step father works for the Guide Dogs & once told me they are not permitted to shake their tins as it causes offence.
I'd rather a tin rattler any day!!
Reply ID 41067
07/06/2007 by Buster
I was under the impression that is illegal for a charity worker to rattle a tin as it is classed as begging.
Reply ID 41070
07/06/2007 by steven
quote:
Originally posted by Admin
Also discussed at...
http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=2127
I'm sure most topics have been covered once already but there isn't much point in dragging up a thread from 8 months ago, and pointing it out doesn't really help the topic starter.
I get this all the time, a lot of it goes on in the City. I'm now at the stage where I don't even acknowledge their existence which is quite bad really. Even worse are those that attempt to give you a free paper. I don't need a newspaper thrust in my face eight times in ten minutes on my way to/from my office.
Reply ID 41082
07/06/2007 by Rachel
quote:
Originally posted by Buster
I was under the impression that is illegal for a charity worker to rattle a tin as it is classed as begging.
Several years ago, I gave up a Saturday to rattle a tin as an unpaid volunteer for a charity, in a shopping centre. The organiser told me I could 'draw attention' to the collection in a general way by rattling the collection box, but under no circumstances could I call out to an individual passer-by, as this was against bye-laws. I wonder if this is the obscure law that Sloop alludes to. So, Buster, I think you CAN rattle a tin but anything further is classed as begging, or something. I still don't know how the paid chuggers get away with it. [V]
Reply ID 41083
07/06/2007 by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Rachel
So, Buster, I think you CAN rattle a tin but anything further is classed as begging, or something. I still don't know how the paid chuggers get away with it. [V]
My guess would be because they're not actually collecting money.
Reply ID 41084
07/06/2007 by azzza
quote:
Originally posted by Mouffloncake
Thank you all.
My fiance has just called Scope to put in a complaint on my behalf & is waiting for a call back from the company they employ who put these people on our streets.
The PFRA site was a useful link.
My step father works for the Guide Dogs & once told me they are not permitted to shake their tins as it causes offence.
I'd rather a tin rattler any day!!
One easy way to not get harrassed by them, is to just keep your head down, not make eye contact and just say NO NO NO NO and walk on by ... NEVER EVER converse with them, smile at them or give any indication whatsoever that you are interested.
Reply ID 41088
07/06/2007 by Ewoowar
I have found that charity street workers who have a slick, polished approach tend not to be volunteers but on the payroll somehow. Their polished approach comes from spending a lot of time on the street accosting the public. They have well rehearsed opening lines and an answer for everything you say to them. They also tend to look odd in the fresh new charity t-shirts that thy took out of the wrapper that very morning.
Reply ID 41090
07/06/2007 by shunt
quote:
One easy way to not get harrassed by them, is to just keep your head down, not make eye contact and just say NO NO NO NO and walk on by ... NEVER EVER converse with them, smile at them or give any indication whatsoever that you are interested.
Dribbling, staring, scratching, and standing really, really close should do the trick too. [:D]
Reply ID 41092
07/06/2007 by Forbes
Last summer outside Woolworth's my wife was told to "f**k off then" by a young male collector, all she said was "no thank you". If I remember correctly it was some adopt an OAP charity (not a well known one)who were about on/off for a month or two.
Apart from the box shakers most of them now are on a wage, from a programme I heard on the radio it takes almost a year for any money to filter through to the charity when you sign up to a monthly direct debit with one of these street collectors.
Of course we now have the gypsy woman selling flowers to contend with also, oh what fun.
Reply ID 41093
07/06/2007 by Capitalist piglet
First Mouffioncake welcome to the Forum & don't worry your rant barely hits a "one" on the Herts Online meter.
Personally find these people pests! I have my own charities to whom I make a considered donation... & have thought long & damn hard about it... err,, 2.5 on the rant meter anyone.
My usual way of dealing with these ..(insert description) is to walk straight up to them smiling , look them in the eye & say "sorry... you're looking so hopeful & I'm going to make you so, so disappointed".
Hell. Cheers me up of a lunchtime.
Tried & failed to import a recent brill Private Eye cartoon in their "Scenes you Seldom See" series in which a passing pedestrian is told by a chareety seller "sorry I can see you in a hurry ; so I wont bother you.."
Reply ID 41094
08/06/2007 by Wrapper
Stopped by one of these pondlife last Summer in Maidenhead Street. Said no but he actually put his hand on my shoulder and said "Ah come on man". A subtle threat left my lips and he left it at that. I actually give money by direct debit to four different charities a month by MY CHOICE. I actually don't walk up Maidenhead Street now by circle the town past the new hotel. But why should I?
Reply ID 41112
08/06/2007 by Mouffloncake
Shunt: Next time they try to stop me, I will think about your advice hehe.
Forbes: The gypsy woman got me too - what is Hertford turning into? So many street pests!
As I said in my first post here, I think the way some of them carry on is totally unacceptable & urge any of you who have a complaint to see in through & report it.
Wouldn't it be nice if the street pests were removed & we could stroll around Hertford without having to 'circle the town' to avoid them.
Scope called back yesterday with their most sincerest of apologies.... I wonder if they will issue me with a chugger exemption sticker??
I await to hear from the company who employ these charity salesmen.
Reply ID 41133
08/06/2007 by shaun
quote:
Originally posted by Mouffloncake
Shunt: Next time they try to stop me, I will think about your advice hehe.
Forbes: The gypsy woman got me too - what is Hertford turning into? So many street pests!
As I said in my first post here, I think the way some of them carry on is totally unacceptable & urge any of you who have a complaint to see in through & report it.
Wouldn't it be nice if the street pests were removed & we could stroll around Hertford without having to 'circle the town' to avoid them.
Scope called back yesterday with their most sincerest of apologies.... I wonder if they will issue me with a chugger exemption sticker??
I await to hear from the company who employ these charity salesmen.
Well if they issue you with an exemption sticker, can I get a copy of it please [:)]
16 replies