chuggers

[wolf63]

I detest chuggers - they are are getting paid to collect money for charity from people through intimidation.

This video is just affirming all my negative feelings towards them

http://www.telegraph....in-investigation.html

[jno]

nobody has to give to charity; but charities have to seek donations somehow. Those who break the law should be dealt with like any other lawbreaker; but I don't see any reason to detest all of them.

[boxtops]

If we do street collections with a money box for charity, we're not allowed to jump about or rattle our boxes - why should chuggers be able to accost people in the street?

[Eve]

It got silly round here, not just them but it was like running the gauntlet round the main shopping street sometimes. Now they are only allowed in certain areas between certain times so at least they can be easier to avoid (not that we should have to really!). If only they would just take a polite no thank you and leave it there, it's the borderline harassment that gets me.

I also have issues giving via people who are paid to get donations though have read reports saying the companies raise a lot of money through it, mind you I have seen conflicting reports about how much is creamed off so who knows, but I avoid them at all costs, I'd rather give in my own way, preferably direct.

[wolf63]

There is a huge difference between collecting money in the street using a tin can and the chuggers. The chuggers are paid to collect money for charities. They can be quite harassing and some people find them threatening.

Yes - charities need money. I choose the charities that I give my money and time to and refuse to give to any other. I had to do this - there are so many worthwhile charities out there.

[lcg]

i just tell them to p*ss off if they are persistent. they are a blight on the high st, though. i wouldn't give some random stranger my bank details and i think that anyone who does is a complete mug.

[HowardKennitby]

I never give to those people. Princes Street is full of them now.

[Nibble]

My answer - IF (unlikely) I want to donate to YOUR charity, then I'll do so on line, as I don't give my bank details to a person on the street..... No more chugger interest & they aren't chasing me. Simples ;)

[flip_flop]

I've pretty much always got headphones in, so it has never really been a problem - but on the very odd occassion when they have started to approach, I've always found an intense stare and a shake of the head suffices.

[bazwillrun]

Charidee is big business

"The chuggers are paid to collect money for charities"

Their job is to give you a sob story and get you to set up a direct debit that the charity hopes you will forget about, a bit like recurring monthly memberships at gyms, they make more money from people who no longer use the gym but forget to cancel the DD.

They have been clamped down on in the shopping centre where i am.

They are a frikkin pain in the butt, good riddance

[Kiki-frog]

If you hold your mobile phone to your ear and look like you're concentrating, chuggers leave you alone. Ronnie Corbett's tip, not mine, but it really does work.

[bazwillrun]

Why put on a charade of being busy on a phone or trying to look busy or whatever, just tell them to frik off or similar and leave you alone !

For Funks Sake grow some !

[Kiki-frog]

baz - don't really want to grow any thanks!

The point is that chuggers are only trying to earn a living like anyone else, so I don't think it's fair to shout at them. Phone up the charity and complain to them, maybe

[rowanwitch]

I always ask them what they are being paid... and point out (loudly) surely the money people give should go to the cause not paying someone for pressurising people on the street

[bazwillrun]

"I don't think it's fair to shout at them"

I didnt say you had to shout at them, just to tell them where to get off

[pdq1]

You should feel sorry for the chuggars who are only youngsters trying to earn a penny or two. A relative of mine spent two weeks on the job trying to get people to sign up but only got had one success. People are quite prepared to dish out money on TV shows with hopeless contestants (ie the Voice) or even give out £26 million to Children in need every year but are unwilling to give to Cancer Research etc.

[tinkerbell23]

I keep earphones in...sometimes theres 3 or 4 in a feckin row...trying to dodge them is terrible....i just say im a student!

Also dogs trust guy ..i said i sponsor one already, he said "who" and i told him what dog i sponsor ....he said....do you want to sponsor another then!? I was like errrmmmm no xx

[youngmafbog]

I tell them politely "no". If they persist to the point of harrasment I tel them to F*** off loudly. Works everytime.

[sp1814]

tinkerbell23 - you beat me to it. I always have my headphones on, but the problem is, I wear a suit and tie to work, so even if I'm listening to music, they still see me as a target.

There is however, and absolutely FOOLPROOF method to get rid of them first time...

When one comes up to you, look at them directly in the eye,tilt your head to one side and mouth the word 'Sorry' whilst adopting that kind of forced smile that you do when your kid has come seventh in an egg and spoon race.

Then (and this is very important), release eye contact and carry on walking.

Seriously - it works every time, and that's because you've a) created an empathetic relationship with them because the smile and 'sorry' establishes tat you know how difficult their job is and b) you've terminate the conversation with 'no' and the release of eye contact.

Pop psychology, but it works.

Try it!

[Duncer]

I read recently that if they follow you for more than three steps they are breaking ther law and it becomes harrassment. Can't see why they would be allowed to follow you at all?

[Zeuhl]

Because 3 steps isn't enough to constiture 'following'

more than 3 is.

Get rid of chuggers by all means - as long as you are either

a) happy to see major charities such as NSPCC, Dogs Trust, Barnardos etc lose millions of pounds of income at a stroke

or

b) you can suggest for them an alternative source of large numbers of new donors that they can access quickly ansd easily