IMHO ...Money This article is more than 18 years oldHow do I fend off these charity muggers?
This article is more than 18 years oldAlmost every morning I'm assailed by clipboard-wielding charity fundraisers in the street who want me to set up a direct debit. Friends say that most of the money goes to pay their wages, not to the charity they are hawking. I feel like they're out to mug me. What's the best way to fend them off? Or am I being too unfair on them?
Try this
My personal tactic for fending off the chuggers is to say, "Forget the spiel, I'll fill in the direct debit as long as you sign something to say you'll waive your commission." They don't have a scripted answer for that.
Nik Wardle, Southampton
Turn the tables
I have found the following method particularly effective. Make eye contact with them before they make it with you, preferably accompanied by a slightly loopy grin; this puts them a little off guard. As you get within earshot, begin by asking them questions; "Had a good response today?" "How many people have told you to bugger off this morning?" and so on. Such is the nature of social etiquette they will be compelled to answer and consequently will not have time to ask you anything. Keep walking, throwing out further questions until you have passed them. Never fails. And set up a standing order to you favourite charity.
Callum Jacobs, London.
Compare them here
The site www.charitiesdirect.com enables a quick comparison between charities' expenditure on fundraising and administration.
Ceri Thomas, Colwyn Bay
Walk on by
I ignore them and walk on by. I give to charity in the way that I choose and my conscience is clear. If they are very persistent, tell that that you will never again donate in any way to a charity that harasses people in this fashion. Their behaviour is pretty rude, so why should we feel obliged to be polite to them? If you feel strongly enough, write to the Charity and tell them so.
Kay McCourt, Co Antrim
Beat them to it
First of all, sort out your charity giving directly with the charities you are interested in. Give a reasonable amount (£20 or more) a month to each one by standing order (and sign a gift aid declaration so the charity can claim back the tax you paid. Then when approached, you can state with a clear conscience that you already have your charitable giving sorted out and give regularly, and simply be on your way.
Ruth Cartwright, Essex
Use the c-word
If approached, smile beatifically, point and nod vaguely at the fundraiser's tabard and say "I've got a covenant already". Thus charmed and disarmed, the response invariably received is "Nice one, mate". And the beauty is that, if you have just one covenant for just one charity, you're not even lying.
Noel McMenamin, Nottingham
From the horse's mouth
I used to be a "chugger" and the only response guaranteed to put us off was from someone who already had a direct debit for that charity. Don't be too harsh on street fundraisers: they do raise money, although you have to donate for at least 12-18 months to make it worthwhile. Of course the managers are another matter - heavy targets, "overfishing" of high streets, and sacking fundraisers who don't quite hit their quota are some of the dubious methods employed by these people. You can assuage your guilt at lying to the fundraiser by donating to the charity directly and cutting out the middle man.
Sarah Hatton
No, you are not being unfair. As a student, I was briefly employed by a marketing agency where I was sent out to persuade people to set up a direct debit account, which binds them to a minimum twelve-month contract. There seemed to be a high level of deception in this. Firstly, many people believed we were kind volunteers representing the charity - instead we were being paid £20 for each person signed up. In addition, we told people there was no point in giving one-off donations because they never reached the charity. At the same time, they were donating their money to a marketing company. Charity is voluntary and it is morally repellent to invade someone's privacy - whether in the streets or through door-to-door sales. It does not matter how desperate the charity is, donations are a gift.
Catherine Allen, Nottingham
Give them a break
Speaking as a former street fundraiser I feel that I have to defend the "clipboard-wielding assailants". Yes, of course fundraisers get paid, but contrary to popular belief, wages are not commission-based. And if you stood out on the street open to both abuse and the elements, would you not expect an hourly wage for your efforts to stay permanently cheerful even when wearing a day-glow jacket? Enjoy the banter on your way to work and if a charity touches a nerve or the fundraiser in question has an attractive smile, sign up. Failing that, keep your head down, mutter some vagary about not having a British bank account, and head to the nearest Starbucks for your three quid cup of coffee.
Tessa Holland, by email
Street fundraisers are not going to mug you. They are there to raise awareness of the charities they represent and provide people with a convenient opportunity to make a regular donation. Charities find that for every pound spent on street fundraising they will get £3 or more back. Annually street fundraising generates over £125m for good causes. Most fundraisers are paid a modest hourly rate, don't get commission and will happily accept a polite "no thank you" from those who don't wish to sign up, so there is no need to adopt any other strategy to "fend them off". If you feel a fundraiser is not maintaining appropriate standards of conduct, you can complain by contacting the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, which will investigate and take action. Visit pfra.org.uk for further information or call 020 7401 8452.
Nik Earl, by email
Try a white lie
Just say "done it already thanks" in an assertive manner and walk smartly past. Justify this white lie to your conscience by remembering you mustn't give bank details to strangers who accost you in the street. Buy your Christmas cards directly from a charity shop this year, as it then gets most of the money. When you've done this reward yourself for your new-found assertion with a posh caffe latte.
Rowena Payne by email
Just say no
A friendly "no thanks" to street fundraisers is always acknowledged courteously in my experience. Many employers operate simple schemes through the payroll, ensuring regular support of the charities of your choice with the bonus of tax relief, increasing the value of your gift. Otherwise you can contact charities directly to find the most efficient way to support their work. If street fundraisers increase the overall level of charity support, good luck to them, but you may prefer to make your own informed choices rather than snap decisions on the high street.
Paul Carter, Burgess Hill
Do your own charity work
In response to your problem with charity clipboard folk accosting you in the street: yes, some may be suspect. So give regularly to a family, child or charity that you have chosen and tell these zealous folk what you are doing. My son sends money directly to a teenage girl who then gives it to her family so that she can carry on her education. If you know of no one direct there are some sound charities who give the money to where its needed, such as Tearfund, Habitat for Humanity, Latin Link, World Vision.
Melanie Martin, by email
Smile; then lie
I give them a big smile and tell them I already support the charity they are representing (which in one or two cases is true.)
Catherine Rennie-Nash, East Sussex
Smile widely and tell them you're already a signed-up member.
Kate Sandars, London
It's understandable
Charities need regular income to survive, so you can understand why more and more of them have resorted to this annoying form of fundraising. Although they have to pay an upfront fee to the agency of around £60 for each successful direct debit, it still pays off. Most people don't cancel charity direct debits for several years. Therefore a monthly payment of say £5 will cover the fee in a year. Thereafter the charity is quids-in.
Angus Deuchar, by email
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