Doorstep charity

[Prudie]

How do you all deal with the charity collectors who knock on the door and want you to sign away a monthly sum but can't take any actual money. I'd never agree something like that on the doorstep but hate dealing with them and feel guilty by saying no - they're always nice chatty student types too.

[smurfchops]

We get them in the High Street with their clip boards being ever so friendly but wanting your money. Nine out of ten people walk straight past now, but they always get a few to talk to. I think its bad enough on the High Street but your front door is your own space, they shouldn't knock and 'beg' - that is what they are doing. I give to charity in my own way, I don't need someone asking for money on my doorstep. If I bother to open the door (I look out the window first -- any clip boards can stand there till Christmas) but if by mistake I do open the door I just say "Sorry, I never buy anything at the door" . Just keep saying No and shut the door. Phew that got it out my system ...

[Prudie]

Yes i'm OK with th ones in the street but had one at the door this afternoon and that's about the third in the last year. I don't like it because it puts you on the spot to say no. I give to charities when i want to. While I'm on the subject I also don't like the constant barrage from work colleagues asking for sponsorship.

[yogasun]

I agree with you Prudie, I am constantly being asked to sponsor some of my students (and friends) who are walking in aid of this and that. I always do but it's getting a bit much. That's one reason why I won't do any of these walks as I couldn't bear going round badgering people, I'd end up writing a cheque out for a respectable amount myself!

[smurfchops]

I had an envelope through the door last week, to put some money in and be collected. I would like to know if any of the money even reaches the place its supposed to go.... The best charity I ever gave to was an animal sanctuary. They had a May Fair and you had to leave a tin of cat food instead of money to get in. Great idea.

[sara3]

a lot of those street collectors get paid for that work.. I was shocked when I found out. kind of puts a different slant on it.

[daftgrandad]

I too, was pestered by these people.
This was until I hung a notice on the front door saying "WE GAVE"
No more calls since !

[Prudie]

And on the work sponsorship thing there is unseen pressure not to put too much less than the others on the list already!

[craft1948]

I have had 2 charities ring me for monthly contributions in the last 2 days and they can be quite aggressive in their approach. Even after being told that I do give to a certain charity each month and I'm not prepared to take on any more they still keep asking......I just put the phone down in the end.

[yogasun]

Yes, prudie, agree again. When someone starts off with, say £10 and others follow it obviously looks dead tight to put £5 down.

[smurfchops]

They ask for £15 on TV adverts ! Telling you what they want ... grrrr

[sara3]

one charity I give to called to ask me to up my payments. I told them if they called or wrote to me one more time, I'd cancel my direct debit.

not a peep since!

[cazzz1975]

I have no issues saying no to them.

[DEN53]

When my son was a student he had a summer job working for the Dogs Trust Charity (well the company that run them, and they are a massive organisation). He had to drive to different venues (no petrol money was offered).

He had to get people to fill in a standing order to sponsor a dog and the least they could give was roughly £3.00 per week. Now out of every £1.00 the actual Dogs Trust received 14p . He only got commission though if they signed for a fiver a week.

They let him go after 3 months as his figures were sh!te. Also thats when his 3 month trial was up.

[askyourgran]

I just say no to charity collectors, but I have a problem with charities who send things through the post. The British Red Cross are a worthy cause, but they have started sending packs with a diary, wrapping paper, gift cards etc, and asking for a donation I feel guilty that I have ignored them, but kept the envelope. I do support local charities but they make you feel mean if you say no.

[vulcan]

If I know there are collectors in the area I answer the door wearing a coat and with a dog lead in my hand. I tell them I 'm going out and will be back in an hour,funny they never come back. Another collection I don't like is the "standing at traffic lights with a large bucket" type, Impossible to get away from.