[GuitarGuy]

Hello boys and girls of the community, I'll cut to the chase! Second day in my new job as a street fund raiser, gaining leads for potential donors for a company on behalf of a charity, both of which I'll leave as anonymous. So doing my thing on the street having a bit of fun bouncing off the walls drawing attention when some vile old woman comes up to me with a torrent of abuse with language that would make a sailor feel saintly blaming me for the emigration problems and overpopulation and not to mention the debt crisis? All I was doing was asking people to consider to a charity which sends medical aids to treat people and restore infrastructure? Some really nasty people about....... n:

[simon ess]

Yep there are nasty people about.

Not sure what your point is TBH.

[GuitarGuy]

Originally Posted by simon ess

Yep there are nasty people about.

Not sure what your point is TBH.

My point is I don't get how that even makes any sense? Like what's with all the hate? Charity fundraiser types generally do tend to be seen as low lives for some reason, like ok I get many people won't want to donate and I'm 100% understanding about that, ask once, twice and then that's it leave them well alone...... Yet people run from us like we're diseased or something lol

[Iccz]

Second day, you say?

You'll get used to it



Also, "ask twice", is one "no" not enough?

[GuitarGuy]

Originally Posted by Iccz

Second day, you say?

You'll get used to it

That's what my boss said lol. Gave me funny methods to improve my ask rates today, "imagine you just got off a 16 hour flight, then waited for an hour for security and your bag was delayed another hour, you're finally outside the terminal for a fag and you need a lighter, go." and I was off like a rocket :P

And well that's the thing many "busy" people who aren't really busy often give you a chance on the second attempt :P

[simon ess]

Originally Posted by esaglik

That's what my boss said lol. Gave me funny methods to improve my ask rates today, "imagine you just got off a 16 hour flight, then waited for an hour for security and your bag was delayed another hour, you're finally outside the terminal for a fag and you need a lighter, go." and I was off like a rocket :P

Have a think about that.

Might that attitude contribute to people's reaction to what you do? Maybe.

[krish]

Originally Posted by esaglik

My point is I don't get how that even makes any sense? Like what's with all the hate? Charity fundraiser types generally do tend to be seen as low lives for some reason, like ok I get many people won't want to donate and I'm 100% understanding about that, ask once, twice and then that's it leave them well alone...... Yet people run from us like we're diseased or something lol

Most people don't like chuggers because of their aggressive sales manner (very much like cold calling utilities doorsteppers)

Very different to volunteer charity collectors.

[BISHI]

Welcome to the world of the chugger...!
Don't these charities realise there's a recession on and charity begins at home..!

[GuitarGuy]

See the chuggers aren't what we are. We don't want your bank details or to set up a direct debit? But we get the bad rep from the chuggers. It's very easy though for someone who's never come this side of the fence to misunderstand.

[simon ess]

Then there's the issue of your wages, the company you work for's profit and the charity gets what's left.

I wouldn't be nasty to you if you approached me but I would, and do, firmly say no.

If, after that no you persisted, I'd tell you to **** off.

[krish]

Originally Posted by esaglik

See the chuggers aren't what we are. We don't want your bank details or to set up a direct debit? But we get the bad rep from the chuggers. It's very easy though for someone who's never come this side of the fence to misunderstand.

okay fair enough, but you are collecting personal info off people COLD
- something most savvy consumers these days want no part of, for fear of ID fraud, unsolicited mail/phonecalls etc etc

[dc8900]

first of all, congrats on finally being able to get a job Hopefully, you will be able to get riding on your motorbike soon

With chuggers & other such related jobs is that quite a lot of people have become pretty worn down by being approached every 10 metres by the street rep of such and such charity that it becomes a bit of a nuisance. As others have said, I will politely say no when asked or simply get out my phone and pretend I'm texting when I am about to pass a chugger/charity street rep but no I would never be horrible like some of the people you described in your OP.

Esaglik, persevere and hopefully the rest of your stint as a charity street rep should go relatively ok

[PCthug]

The fact of the matter is, people dont like/want to be disturbed when out doing their 'thing'.
They want to go from A to B without any hassle, whether its walking through the town, driving their car or sitting at home.
It may be ignorance, but then again what right do you (not you personally) have stopping these people from their daily business.
Some may be on the their meal break and dont know if they are going to be stopped for 30 seconds of 10 minutes.
Some dont 'like' to be rude, so would rather ignore or pretend to be doing other things (like texting) in the hope they can get away quicker/un-disturbed instead of trying to make excuses to get away.
Not only that, but you can guarentee nearly all of the people who DO stop you in the street are either wanting to sell you something, want some money off you or want to push their beliefs onto you.
Some just cant be bothered with it all, have their own problems and if wanting to do/buy something will go out looking for it and just do it, and dont like to be asked by a stranger or feel pressured into it. They put these 'sellers' into the same bracket at telephone cold callers or door to door sales people (i probably fall into this bracket to be honest).

[indianwells]

Originally Posted by esaglik

And well that's the thing many "busy" people who aren't really busy often give you a chance on the second attempt :P

I always politely say no, it's when the "second attempt" happens I get really ****** off. Giving to charity is a voluntary and personal thing, and I do but on my own terms. Nobody likes to be pressured into giving money, that just makes people more likely to avoid you in the future.

[GuitarGuy]

Interesting reading all the view points. Off to derby today have a nice day everyone.

[Exemplar]

Note to self: avoid Derby today.

[Naaktgeboren]

Its pretty simple really, when I give money to charity, I will do so 'providing' it is all going to charity and not paying the wages of a charity collector.

I simply refuse to give anything, any further attempts of persuasion and I will tell them to run along in a manner which fits my mood at that particular moment.

[krish]

I don't think they should be called charity collectors, as to me that implies a volunteer shaking a collection box, or a neighbour with collection envelopes

They are chuggers/street sales people, working for a third party

[nheather]

Also, "ask twice",

No need to ask twice. His 5 colleagues positioned along your route up the high street will also ask you.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Ivor the Engine]

Originally Posted by PCthug

The fact of the matter is, people dont like/want to be disturbed when out doing their 'thing'.
They want to go from A to B without any hassle, whether its walking through the town, driving their car or sitting at home.

No sale signs, no adverts, no smells being pumped out, no brand re-inforcement.

The high street and the home are filled with all manner of things designed to remove cash from your pocket. Why should contact with a fellow human being become the most abhored of these tactics?

[Mr_Wistles]

Most of your charity money doesn't get to the cause. It goes on wages, rent, overheads etc..

[krish]

Originally Posted by Ivor the Engine

The high street and the home are filled with all manner of things designed to remove cash from your pocket. Why should contact with a fellow human being become the most abhored of these tactics?

Because they are cold calling you in the street, rather than you visiting their shop/stall

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by esaglik

All I was doing was asking people to consider to a charity which sends medical aids to treat people and restore infrastructure? Some really nasty people about....... n:

"think of the children"

People promoting charities on the street have no idea what you already do for charity, yet they'll do what they can to make you feel guilty about not giving to theirs.

Saying 'no thanks' should be the end of it - that should probably be added alongside the new 3 steps and no obstructing law.

Guildford high street is pretty annoying, I just want to go about my business I have no interest in speaking to anyone.

[krish]

Originally Posted by Mr_Wistles

Most of your charity money doesn't get to the cause. It goes on wages, rent, overheads etc..

The huge charities are swimming in cash, direct debits are worth paying a first year commission on (to the third party who employ chuggers), as it's all theirs from year 2 onwards - and the chuggers target the under 35 (the younger you are, the more years of direct debits you have ahead of you) so will be of that age group trying to be all matey and hip with their prey prospects

[Robothamster]

Esaglik, I don't envy your job - would be my worst nightmare because I can't stand these people stopping me in the street and I'd hate to have to bother people if I was doing it.

Hope you get on ok though mate.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by krish

so will be of that age group trying to be all matey and hip

When I had longer hair and hadn't shaved for a few weeks I got called out as "Hairy Man" ..

[aslird]

I personally cannot stand those street charity people - jumping in front of you, acting as if you are a long lost friend, unable to understand the word no - i would rather walk to wards a big issue seller.

No offence

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by aslird

I personally cannot stand those street charity people - jumping in front of you, acting as if you are a long lost friend, unable to understand the word no - i would rather walk to wards a big issue seller.

No offence

Sales people, estate agents, recruitment agencies, chuggers... have many things in common... and I like to avoid all of them where possible.

Originally Posted by esaglik

Hello boys and girls of the community, I'll cut to the chase! Second day in my new job as a street fund raiser, gaining leads for potential donors for a company on behalf of a charity

I am curious OP, do you give to this charity? are you passionate about the work they do?

[nheather]

My perception of why people don't like chuggers

(i) There are too many of them at any one location
(ii) There are too 'in your face'
(iii) They often don't know much about the charity they are pushing
(iv) They often don't support the charity they are pushing
(v) They are getting paid

In summary people have difficulty with chuggers just being salesman rather than charity workers - and get a little fed up with chuggers persistently asking shoppers to give money for free when they aren't reciprocating.

Just look at the difference in how poppy sellers or veterens selling RAFBF flags get treated compared to chuggers - it is because people believe that they really are dedicated to the charity and are giving up their own free time to collect donations.

BTW I'm not totally against chuggers. Items (i) and (ii) do niggle me but I just think of them as paid salesman that are not associated with the charity and I'm okay with that. It is fun to play the game of engaging them in conversation and asking them to tell you all about the charity - mean but fun.

Cheers,

Nigel

[krish]

Originally Posted by Dancook

estate agents, recruitment agencies, chuggers... have many things in common...

all essentially the same job

hard sell tactics (as portrayed in Glengarry Glen Ross and Boiler Room), cold calling unqualified leads, always trying to close and economical with the truth