Charity staff accost shoppers in store
Friday 30th January 2009, 11:29AM GMT.
Customers at WH Smith in Wolverhampton are being stopped as they enter – by a charity worker asking them to sign up for a direct debit donation.
The shop is allowing members of the Red Cross inside to approach people as they come through the door. It is among the first stores in the country to be used in such as way as part of a trial by WH Smith.
But it means some people entering to buy stationery, magazines or newspapers may be turning around and leaving empty-handed.
The use of a “face to face” worker inside a shop is a new tactic for charities, who have long used groups of on-commission workers with fluorescent bibs and armed with clipboards to target shoppers in high streets.
But while the young woman at WH Smith yesterday had some success in signing customers up, it also means WH Smith could be losing trade if shoppers are put off.
A spokeswoman for WH Smith confirmed today: “We are currently running a trial in our Wolverhampton store with the Red Cross.
“As a company we have nominated charities which we support throughout the year. In addition, we support appeals that run for a set period of time, such as the Poppy Appeal and Children in Need.”
Liz Williams, head of individual giving at the British Red Cross, said: “British Red Cross face-to face fundraisers are active in WH Smith as part of an ongoing trial across the country on private sites such as shopping centres and airports as well as inside individual stores.
“Face-to-face fundraising is a proven method of raising vital funds which allow the British Red Cross to carry out life-changing work in the UK and around the world, our aim as always is to be able to support those in need.
“As with all our fundraising activities, results of this trial, including feedback from the public, will be tightly assessed.”
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Do you think charities have money to spend protecting you personal/bank details once you’ve handed them over? Do they fully vet their staff? I don’t think so. They’re welcome to take cash instead!
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I don’t mind giving to charity and frequently do, but I do object to being harrassed in the street by clipboarders and near checkouts in supermarkets. It’s a ‘guilt’ thing – trying to make people feel bad for spending on themselves and that they should give to others. It certainly would put me off going in the shop – when I’m shopping I want to do it undisturbed!!!
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I must say this young woman has been in there since before Christmas I felt it was very intrusive being accosted whilst entering the que to pay. It does put me off going in.
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There are always ppl around town itself sometimes without the required ID but have got the jackets on etc a freind of mine did provide direct debit and they filled in the small print when he asked to look at it they said it would be in the post then when he did he was told he would be debited £100 intial then £5 a month there after.
He did manage to cancel it but only after ages later.
I have never done this I will not neither why doesnt places give them a few hundred or so as they drive us away…
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This is common practice in London usualy outside all major superstores.Do not agree with the tactic but I wonder if it breaches the “Street Lotteries Act”. You are not allowed to shake a box but you can front a passer-by with this proceedure.
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I hate it when you get letters through the post asking for money but at least you can throw them in the bin if you wish. I don’t think its right to ask people for bank details and I certainly wouldn’t give mine to anyone even if they were from a charity. I’m sure charities are struggling as we all are but doesn’t charity begin at home?
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This sort of ‘Hands on’ approach I find very annoying. It’s bad enough trying to get through Dudley town center at luntime without this additional hassle. Thanks for the warning I won’t be going into Wolverhampton in the near future.
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Walking through Walsall is a complete nightmare – you are constantly being stopped by various charitys including the Red Cross, NSPCC etc., then you have the “Are you married” – for time share, or “Do you have the Littlewoods catalogue” or “Have you got a spare 30 seconds – it really won’t take longer” (yeah right)! or “Have you had an accident in the last 2 years” – where I am tempted to reply, “No but you might if you don’t get out of my way”. There isn’t day when I am dodging out of the way of these canvassers/sellers!
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Face to face fundraising is common. Either by companies on contract to charities or by charities using their own staff.
The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) regulates the use of face-to-face fundraising by member charities and professional fundraising organisations and aims to work with local authorities to ensure that fundraising sites are used appropriately.
The method of fundraising works. Not a great deal of complaints about it, and personally I’ve never had any trouble telling the people ‘no’.
Simple, effective and can always change my mind if I see a favourite charity doing it.
Always, always ask for ID though if you do sign up to anything in the street.
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They came to my door doing exactly the same thing twice when i refused to give them my bank details they gave me a mouth of abuse and one stamped off accross my garden.I contacted the red cross and said if they damage any of my plants walking accross my garden i would send them the bill..And Guess what ?? They didnt care at all..Will never give them another penny..
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Its not only the Red Cross but, Npower, British Gas, other domestic companies & Sky Tv, catologue all accost us when out shopping. Its a new way of beggin in the streets/shops. Its best not to trust any of them with Bank details who knows whos listening and looking at the details.
All the more resson to shop at home with the PayPal at least you can shop in comfort with out being accosted.
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I had a Big Issue seller approach me in a cafe in Birmingham.I politely refused, But its for the homeless he said so I had to be rude to him. I dont mind them asking on the street but I object to being asked when I am drinking my coffee. People must remember not to ask as refusal offends.
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Another place they try to get you is in the pub, especially on a Friday and Saturday night. This particularly winds me up, especially when they interrupt you mid conversation!
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Do people realise that these people get paid out of the money raised. I would rather give direct to the charity and not have to pay people to do it which means less is given to the needy cause
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I was accosted as I went into WHS yesterday. If I want to give to charity I will do it at a time and place of my choosing, not when I am trying to get things done in my lunch break.
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money is so tight at the moment so charity begins at home when i have 3 hungry children to feed. shopping is stressfull enough looking round for the cheapest and best bargains around without being harrassed for donations to charities when you don’t really truthley know if the charity recieves the money.
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Probably an ex Bank Manager !!
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charity worker hey…wonder what happened to the cosmetic company girls who stood inside WH Smiths supposedly giving away makeup!
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Yes I saw her going running over and grabbing someones arm spinning her sales patter-didn’t realise they were on commision,just thought they were doing it for their contribution towards the charity.I don’t want to get my bank card out in the middle of the town.PLEASE everyone be very careful u never know who’s watching…
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I AM SICK TO DEATH OF THESE PEOPLE STANDING IN THE EXITS TO SUPERMARKETS PUSHIN THEIR TINS IN MY FACE I WOULD LIKE TO PUSH MY WEEKLY BILLS IN THEIR FACES
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The face to face people are often paid a flat wage. Some are on commission based on numbers signed up, or bonuses on reaching targets.
Money given to charity goes to pay charity bills as well as support whatever the cause is.
BT, gas companies, tax office, council etc all want their bills paid. It costs money to raise money.
Your £2 a month might enable £20 a month to go to the cause. Or your £2 may go to the casue and someone else pay for the cost of raising money.
Up to you how or even if you donate though.
Some people respond to TV ads, some to letters, some to calls and some to face to face. It works.
Just some people don’t like saying no.
If they don’t accept your no, complain to the organisation.
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I’m not giving anymore money to charity, I can’t afford to. Besides, comrade Broon and his jackbooters take too much of our money and spend it on overseas aid, not even on the problems we have here, just to make him look good. He even spent our taxes on a donation to American Idol and injured talliban fighters, for goodness sake Enough is enough.
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Don’t give your bank details to any one ,even if it is a charity you want to support. Support charities in your own way either by internet or by post. Door rattlers annoy everyone!
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Martin-why are charity workers paid anyway. If they want our money for nothing then surely they should collect for nothing.
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At this rate, soon we’ll all be begging in the street and shop doorways. Thanks comrade Broon.
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