What's Your Opinion on Charity Representatives at Shopping Centres?

Trying2SaveABuck on 03/02/2021 - 22:25
Last edited 04/02/2021 - 00:28 by 1 other user

I have noticed there is a blitz of 'charity sales' representatives at shopping centres from world poverty to make a wish foundation i have probably been approached by half a dozen in the last 2 weeks.

Now I have no problem with people trying to get 'donations' for charity - but these individuals are not volunteers they are 'sales' men and they don't want the 50 cents you put in the tin when the salvos come knocking, no these people (vultures) try and get you to sign up to a direct debit plan in which you donate to the 'charity' monthly till you die. Now from what i understand they get a commission (>50%) on every individual they sign up - so if you are donating $30 a month, $15 is going into the sales persons pocket and who knows how much more is going into 'administration costs.'

Now if people want to support a charity in this way then go for it, personally if i want to donate to a charity I will donate directly.

Where I get annoyed is when I walk into a shop and they try to 'sign me up' I instantly say 'Not interested' they continue to attempt to communicate with him when I'm clearing ignoring them at this point but they usually use some crap line to break the ice in which my go to response is 'I'm not interested'. Then when I leave the shop they attempt to communicate again

I actually find myself avoiding the entrances and shops they are set up at now

Does anyone else find these people annoying?

Does anyone think that there commission should be disclosed because when donating money you should know 'exactly' where your money is going?

Poll Options

  • 1
    Charity Sales reps are Fine
  • 89
    Charity Sales Reps are Annoying
General Discussion

Comments

  • soan papdi on 03/02/2021 - 22:30
    +3

    Don't make eye contact. Keep walking.

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 03/02/2021 - 22:32

      I do they still try, the block to day walk shouting at me when i was 20m away… never made eye contact

      I try to be a polite person but im slowly thinking i just start the convo with f**k off im not interested fromthe get go instead of 'no thanks'

      • crungle on 03/02/2021 - 23:11
        +6

        Not sure where you live but ignoring these vultures is a way of life in Inner Sydney.

        It doesn't matter how "friendly" they are about it or how noble their particular cause is, it's an inherently rude and invasive marketing tactic that prays on people's sense of moral guilt and social politeness, you should feel no shame in refusing to engage with that bullsh*t on the same level as you might ignore the belligerent junkie cursing you out for telling him you don't have any change. For all they know, you already donate to their cause or a similar one, or spend all your free time volunteering at a homeless shelter. And like you say, the vast majority of them are paid very well ($30-40+ average an hour from the Gumtree listings for these gigs I've seen), so it's not like you're turning down some kindhearted volunteer – not that that would make any difference.

        You don't owe them anything. Keep your headphones in if you're wearing them. Don't make eye contact. If they follow or keep hassling, pick up the pace and just pretend they aren't there. They'll give up quickly. Occasionally one of them will throw out a petty little guilt trip or snark. If they're out the front of a store, maybe they'll catch your eye "knowingly". Ignore it. Again, they're the ones being rude.

        If you want to say something just so they can't pretend you haven't heard them, I just go with a firm "I'm really in a hurry, sorry." then keep on walking. Then if they insist they're definitely being the "rude" one – maybe you're need to pick a few things up for a work meeting, or need to get your kids from school, or any number of things more time sensitive than hearing out their sales pitch.

      • SF3 on 03/02/2021 - 23:23

        I reckon if they see a friendly persona, they see that as the perfect bait.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 03/02/2021 - 22:44

    Can you show me where they get 50% commission? I am leaving my job at the end of this month and I'd be keen to give this 'sales' role a go for a few weeks in my spare time

  • jaejae69 on 03/02/2021 - 22:49
    +1

    I've seen a lot of hate directed towards these charity "salesmen" in the past and I don't think its all warranted. I had a mate who did this for a very short stint about 7 years ago. Some of the specifics are fuzzy but the salespeople made a flat fee of around 50-100 dollars depending on how much the customer actually pledges to donate per month. It definitely wasn't an ongoing thing.

    The main argument that gets brought up is of course that "not all the money is going to charity". My counter is that every charity is also a business who is run by generally competent people. The fact that these salesmen have existed for so long clearly means that charities have crunched the numbers and determined that it is worthwhile paying these fees because there is still an overall net gain at the end.

    It's delusional to think that because you drop $20 into a salvo tin then literall all the money goes straight to charity. The charity still has costs which they need to cover. If a charity has proven itself to be a respectable one doing actual good in whatever field they focus in, then I think it's a bit rich for any random person to donate money and then expect to dictate how the money is used.

    As for the salespeople themselves, they can definitely be a bit annoying. Generally I've found that if I say "Hi, not interested sorry" while I walk off they don't try anything too persistent.

    • netjock on 03/02/2021 - 23:09

      My counter is that every charity is also a business who is run by generally competent people. The fact that these salesmen have existed for so long clearly means that charities have crunched the numbers and determined that it is worthwhile paying these fees because there is still an overall net gain at the end.

      Assumption of competence would mean if these charities net less than average (overheads too high) then they would volunteer to shut themselves down.

      Worked for a charity for a while. Everyone in there thinks they are doing good. Salaries are low. If you paid peanuts and get rocket scientists then it must be a totally different universe.

  • Peter Enis on 03/02/2021 - 23:08
    +5

    The best thing about covid was all the chuggers disappeared from the cbd. But sadly they seem to be returning again. I just want to take a quiet walk at lunch time without getting harassed every time!

  • Willco88 on 03/02/2021 - 23:14
    -1

    GET A REAL JOB - I tell them we got enough homeless and abused children here without worrying about millions of Africans

  • MeesusEff on 03/02/2021 - 23:17
    +2

    I hate it when i say, sorry not interested and they go 'oh I'm just asking questions for my survey not looking for donations today' so I stop and try to help incase its for research purposes (last one was some Heart thingy) and at the end of the "survey" he's asking for my cc details. Like wtf mate, I'm sure as h*ll not going to be putting down my card details in your tablet.

  • funnysht on 03/02/2021 - 23:23

    do these people get paid or are they volunteers—-because if they are volunteers then i dont mind

    • orangetrain on 04/02/2021 - 10:54

      Overseas or desperate people that get paid on commission. So, more people they sign up, more money.

  • SF3 on 03/02/2021 - 23:25

    just keep walking and tell them you are busy and already late for your next appointment. You can still be nice in saying that without any swearing :)

    • Frashal on 04/02/2021 - 19:41

      I don't even lie. I am polite and give them a friendly hello. But I don't break my stride and just give them a 'no thanks' with a smile when they hurriedly try to hook me in. It's totally a totally painless interaction.

  • Stewardo on 03/02/2021 - 23:37
    +5

    It’s more like 15-30% that goes to the actual cause and even then it’s often given to a different business who profits from it.
    If you think about it, it’s the ultimate scam.
    Start a charity that is a very noble cause, hire all your friends and relatives, get some affected people to volunteer for free.
    Pay yourself, friends and family a modest wage but compensate this with expenses, travel accomodation hospitality vehicles functions fuel cards grocery cards office space, all expenses in the name of the charity. Enjoy tax concessions of being a charity. Employ sales and marketing managers as well as working holiday makers and young people as shopping centre collectors. (They get minimum wage and do all the work and all the abuse from the public.)
    Raise 40million a year, give 6 million to needy people, bring these people in as props for your marketing for future fundraising.
    Host gala dinners at exotic locations and get accolades for all your honorable work.
    Get named on the Queen’s birthday honors list. If anyone ever questions anything, point to all the money you gave to kids with cancer, tortured animals etc. Most wouldn’t dare question this.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 04/02/2021 - 00:40

      You make it sound like starting a charity is easy; and the kicker is …. the charity that is run by you, your family and friends enjoys the cream of the money.

      I do not understand why you have not opened your own charity yet, and raised that $40M so you, your family and friends pocket $34m rather than sitting here on OzBargains trying to save a few bucks.

      • Stewardo on 04/02/2021 - 01:08
        +1

        You’ve motivated me to start one, I’m going to raise money to build a church on a tropical island in the pacific, I will fly over three tines a year and check on the construction. Will you donate it will be tax deductible?

  • Mechz on 03/02/2021 - 23:56
    +2

    I given them zero time and energy. They always try and talk to me about my beard because they think I'll bite but f**k em.

    The paintball dudes are also annoying.

    • AdosHouse on 04/02/2021 - 02:42
      +4

      Tell us more about your beard.

      • Mechz on 04/02/2021 - 09:43

        Hahaha, I started growing it in 2005 and I think it reached it's peak a couple years ago. I have a mate with a beard down to his waist so it doesn't seem big to me but I guess it's more than most would dare to grow.

        • AdosHouse on 04/02/2021 - 14:29
          +2

          Yeah I don't know if I'd do down to my waist, seems a bit long. I think peak length is about where you can put on a flannel shirt, carry an axe, and no one questions that you are a lumberjack.

    • iridiumstem on 04/02/2021 - 03:03

      I do feel like I got the wrong end of the stick sometimes because I can't grow beard.

      Best I could do is a stubble, even then my skin becomes so irritated that I have to shave.

      • Mechz on 04/02/2021 - 09:43

        Just stop shaving. You'll get through it.

        • AdosHouse on 04/02/2021 - 14:30

          Doesn't work for everyone. I once worked with a guy in his early 20s, he did Movember and after the full month you could kind of see some 5 o'clock shadow.

        • iridiumstem on 05/02/2021 - 10:52

          Yeah, I stopped shaving for like 3 weeks, it just looked like slightly long stubbles.
          And then my wife was like, it just makes you look like you are not taking care of yourself.
          So I gave up on it.

    • ThithLord on 04/02/2021 - 10:09
      +3

      Woooah, nice beard!

      I always reply with: "Original - that's what the last chugger said." and keep strollin'

  • [Deactivated] on 04/02/2021 - 01:09
    +1

    Gee, what a depressing job. I just smile and walk past.

  • Melb69 on 04/02/2021 - 03:09
    +2

    Pull out your phone and pretend take a call

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 04/02/2021 - 03:16
    +4

    Chuggers. Charity muggers.

    I just ignore them. Literally, look then in the eye and say nothing.

  • Quantumcat on 04/02/2021 - 07:59
    +4

    If you want to give monthly to a good cause and have 100% of your money be helping people not paying admin costs - sponsor a child with Smith Family. All your sponsorship goes towards helping the child, they get money for admin costs through other means (general donations, government etc)

  • capslock on 04/02/2021 - 10:30

    It's not a coincidence that a lot of them are somewhat attractive.

    • orangetrain on 04/02/2021 - 10:56

      You must be in a rich area, I saw a lot of ugly ones in poorer areas. Coincidence?

  • davidmwilliams on 04/02/2021 - 12:10

    They are sales people. Ignore them and keep going. If you want to donate you are better doing it to the charity directly.

    The companies who these people work for get the first year’s payments so the reality is until you are on the 13th month of your donations, not a cent has gone to the charity.

    The salespeople themselves can get varying amounts, in some cases they get the first three months of your donations.

    So, there is an incentive for them to harass and hustle. Don’t engage, or at least, be sure to ask them about the financials of it.

  • capslock on 04/02/2021 - 12:29
    +8

    Have a look at this article

    Donors aren’t being told that if they sign up for a 12-month donation, up to 93 per cent of that donation goes to Appco

    • Trying2SaveABuck on 04/02/2021 - 15:50

      Sounds about right they are all crooks - it is essentially a scam

  • Seraphin7 on 04/02/2021 - 15:25
    +2

    Farking chuggers. I spot one off in the distance and put on a face that looks like I'm hunting someone down, Liam Neeson style. That usually keeps them at bay.

  • inherentchoice on 05/02/2021 - 15:21
    +1

    If you offer them a $2 donation they can't accept it. They are only interested in getting you to sign up for a monthly plan, for which they receive a commission.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join