Topic ID 2127
Shopped in Hertford this Saturday morning for the first time in a while and I counted five different charities/ good causes out and about looking for something from Joe Public. Is this a usual amount or did I see more than average?
Reply ID 28668
I don't understand the reason for the question. Are you asking whether there's a limit needed?
Reply ID 28680
I'd be interested to know if a charity does need to register for collecting but I was merely wondering, as an ex Hertford resident, if that number of collections is the norm on a Saturday.
Reply ID 28686
Not sure about that. Funnily enough, my son asked me yesterday if they need to apply for a collection license. (He is trying to work out ways of raising enough money to buy a "super-rare" Dr.Who card for his pack - if anyone has the pickled egg scratch and sniff one, he's very interested in buying). I don't mind the tin-shakers, it's the professional, hard sell subscription teams that I object to. The tin-shakers demonstrate dedication to their charity by giving up their time for free to stand about all day. And I rather liked the Old Sea Dog chap walking quietly around with his RNLI board yesterday. Effective and non-threatening.
Reply ID 28690
quote:I agree with you entirely Nora BUT Wrong definition's - Chuggers ARE the professional collectors brought in from outside agencies. These people have no affiliation to or affinity for the charity they are being PAID to get you to sign a direct debit for. The real supporters, the ones who go out in all weathers to shake their collecting tins (in a non threatening manner of course - must follow the rules) would be horrified to be confused with these paid nuisances! Out of interest, the charities themselves will tell you that these chuggers are cost effective - in that they generate more income than they cost in the short term. However, I suspect that this is a blinkered view - they also seem to generate hostility and negativity towards the charities that use them and will probably reduce overall, long term, giving. I would be very interested to know what sort of churn rate the charities get on the direct debits that people sign through these campaigns? Once someone has cancelled a direct debit to one of these charities I can't see them ever signing up again! By the way, I doubt that a street collecting licence would be given in support of fund raising for a rare Dr Who card! As far as I am aware, you do still need one to collect in this way although I also think that some of the larger charities have some kind of national exemption certificates that allow them to collect using authorised volunteers. Often when collecting for one of these, you will be asked to sign a pro forma street collection licence and ID card that has to be visibly displayed. The stupid thing is, generally speaking, the charities using Chuggers do need funds and they do work hard to alleviate poverty and suffering or to address other issues. I just object strongly to being told how much to give and how often to do so. Rant Over
Originally posted by nora batty
Not sure about that. Funnily enough, my son asked me yesterday if they need to apply for a collection license. (He is trying to work out ways of raising enough money to buy a "super-rare" Dr.Who card for his pack - if anyone has the pickled egg scratch and sniff one, he's very interested in buying). I don't mind the chuggers, it's the professional, hard sell subscription teams that I object to. The chuggers demonstrate dedication to their charity by giving up their time for free to stand about all day shaking a tin. And I rather liked the Old Sea Dog chap walking quietly around with his RNLI board yesterday. Effective and non-threatening.
Reply ID 28692
quote:http://www.charityfacts.org/fundraising/fundraising_factsheets/street_fundraising/what_it_costs.html
Originally posted by Deveraux
I would be very interested to know what sort of churn rate the charities get on the direct debits that people sign through these campaigns? Once someone has cancelled a direct debit to one of these charities I can't see them ever signing up again!
Reply ID 28693
quote:Thanks for that Steve, very interesting.
Originally posted by Stevequote:http://www.charityfacts.org/fundraising/fundraising_factsheets/street_fundraising/what_it_costs.html
Originally posted by Deveraux
I would be very interested to know what sort of churn rate the charities get on the direct debits that people sign through these campaigns? Once someone has cancelled a direct debit to one of these charities I can't see them ever signing up again!
Reply ID 28694
quote:Thanks Dev... Steve put me right, hence the editing. I feel a bit silly as I thought chuggers were the tin-shakers cos that's the noise they make!!! [:I]
Originally posted by Deveraux I agree with you entirely Nora BUT Wrong definition's - Chuggers ARE the professional collectors brought in from outside agencies. These people have no affiliation to or affinity for the charity they are being PAID to get you to sign a direct debit for. The real supporters, the ones who go out in all weathers to shake their collecting tins (in a non threatening manner of course - must follow the rules) would be horrified to be confused with these paid nuisances!
Reply ID 28702
quote:Devereux's point is very pertinent. I find that pointing out that they have no affinity to the charity they are pushing on me helps get these Limpets off!
Originally posted by Stevequote:http://www.charityfacts.org/fundraising/fundraising_factsheets/street_fundraising/what_it_costs.html
Originally posted by Deveraux
I would be very interested to know what sort of churn rate the charities get on the direct debits that people sign through these campaigns? Once someone has cancelled a direct debit to one of these charities I can't see them ever signing up again!
Reply ID 28704
The consensus seems to be charities shouldn't be professional in the way they collect - if you were asked by an old dear who took twice as long too explain things you'd be much more likely to sign up? I've happily signed up twice now (help the aged/Action aid) just because one of these guys reminded me it was a good thing to do. Remember the people on the receiving end of your money living in desparate circumstances won't give a toss how you came to give.
Reply ID 28706
quote:I don't think anyone's said that.
Originally posted by spooky
The consensus seems to be charities shouldn't be professional in the way they collect
quote:Yes, and remember how much money the fundraisers took before the charity saw any. If you want to support a charity, it's much better to sign up with them directly, rather than through a chugger. The issue here isn't charity, it's the methods used to solicit funds. I've no problem with charities being "professional", what I do have a problem with is the invasive methods that chuggers use, their superficial patter and the fact that they assume I haven't already been chugged and signed-up by the legions of chuggers before them.
Originally posted by spooky
Remember the people on the receiving end of your money living in desparate circumstances won't give a toss how you came to give.
Reply ID 28717
If these charities think they are going to get me to hand over my personal details including bank a/c number and sort code to some bod in the street they are 'avin a larf.
Reply ID 28719
Some of these are indeed 'avin a larf'. One bloke outside Monsson was telling people that if they could afford £30 on a new dress they could afford £5 per month for his charity. I told him to move on.
Reply ID 28721
I tend to give to the collectors with tins, but do object to almost being mugged by the guys with clipboards. It does put me off the charities that use this method to raise money.
Reply ID 28722
quote:You should report him to the charity. Most charities would not support such behaviour.
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
Some of these are indeed 'avin a larf'. One bloke outside Monsson was telling people that if they could afford £30 on a new dress they could afford £5 per month for his charity. I told him to move on.
Reply ID 28725
£30 for a dress in Monsoon??? I wish! [:D]
Reply ID 28731
I was pestered by a very keen young chugger on Maidenhead Street a while back. I looked him squarely in the eye, gave him a full, warm smile and said that if he was really keen to solicit my contribution perhaps he would prefer to come back to my house where we could talk about it in comfort. His enthusiasm quickly waned. It's easy to deal with them. Simply be more of an uncomfortable freak than they are.