Discussions

Is it just me or are other people tired of getting asked for donations when entering businesses or at the till when your checking out?  
 
Every weekend it seems some organization is collecting for their group. Once and a while is ok but its kinda of a pain when approached upon entering a store  
 
I give to certain causes but really can you do it for all.

It's all optional. You just have to say no thanks. That's what I do all the time.

These people are volunteering to do good in a cause they are passionate about and I too have my things I choose to donate too with my limited budget and I usually just smile and say "I have allocated my donations already" but at least take a moment and inform yourself on their cause and maybe in the future this group could be something you find funds to help them out.

Was sort of expecting something a bit different, maybe along the lines of how government was putting up more rules and regulations and taxes.  
I guess at times it can make one feel uncomfortable when a person actually comes out and asks for a donation. I feel that the majority of people see the positives of charities but it can leave a person uncomfortable when they have to apply the reality of their own situation to how they feel.  
I don't mind people setting up a station for promoting their charity, where if you do choose you can donate, maybe I just one of those people who think they are offending others by saying no, but the same applies to charities as other things in life, one has to prioritize who and what they can give to.  
Sort of like the donors choice idea.

There are not alot of avenues for charities to get support.

I agree with the op. Every store I went to this weekend had someone standing in front of the door or just inside the door holding a collection box. 2 places had fundraiser bbq’s going on too with their collection boxes as well, and they all kinds stare you down when entering the business without donating.  
Then you get inside and the cashier asks if you want to donate “x” amount of dollars to ‘insert charity’.  
All while you just filled up a bag to leave on your step for a food drive, and you just donated to the cute little girl that came to your door step to collect money for jump rope . Then have 4 people randomly hit you up for change in parking lots, or the big guy that stands outside your bank machine to hit you up for money so he can get more “smokes”.  
Ya, I feel like sometimes it’s too much. I have to work hard for my money and feel like there is so many with hands out lately.  
I too have my certain charities I donate too, and try to stick to them. Sometimes I do donate to the ones at the store door, and sometimes I do donate at the cashier. But if I don’t want to I simply say no, and carry on with my day.

Thing is, the store gets the tax benefit from the donation. You get 1500-2000 people to donate $2 or $3 dollars, it adds up quickly. As the person contributing since its a small amount no tax receipt is given.  
No matter how passionate or caring the store seems to be...there is a financial reason they collect the donations.

Yes it is a very sad day & time in our life's in that the ALMIGHTY $$$ has taken over much of what use to be a fun shopping experience for our customers. Most customers especially those coming to buy groceries know exactly what they want & like to get it, put it in their carts, have a friendly cashier assist them at the till & they are on their way.. That is what people like to experience.. They don't like to be grilled on 50 questions of giving donations to this or that , or stupid deal of the week items. If customers want tooth paste or shampoo or what ever, They would have put it in their car to buy. This power pushing method turns customers away or makes them feel like they are pressured into doing something not of their free will. We cashiers were trained in our field for serving the customers, having an up beat pleasant personality , making them feel important & thanking them for shopping at out location. We were not trained to beg for $$ or pump the customer to do anything other than what they came to our store to do. that is to SHOP with freedom of mind. If the store wants to compete in knowing that they over did other store chains with larger amounts of Donations received, or a better overall rating,they shouldn't use their cashiers to make that happen. If they want to do a good deed and raise $$ for any outlet , they then should set up a table at the front door of the store & have a sales rep sitting there for that purpose only,, They probable would receive more $$ that way & have happier customers & employees. It is no wonder certain businesses go through staff like hot water. Most employees find it easier to just walk away & find another job as opposed to standing up for what they believe in. ( being a real person & not a robot) But life goes on.. Change is good as long as it is not replacing human interaction with people on an caring & honest level.

Agree with the OP  
 
I have my charities that take my money and I have no problem at all in saying no thank you when a cashier asks if I want to donate. I have so far managed to refrain from saying actually I could use some donations myself...  
 
People sitting at tables with a donation pot on it-i simply ignore that. If they speak up to draw my attention they get the same no thank you response. Sure, it may be for a good cause but my money stretches only so far and I am not going to run myself short just so they don't give me the evil eye. Do they give me the evil eye becaise i ignore them or say no? I have no idea; i simply do not pay them the attention it takes to notice if they do.

I 100% agree as I am on a fairly strict budget and only give to local causes.  
 
Playing devils advocate and sharing light on the other side:  
I’m on the board of 3 different volunteer organizations. Do you know how hard it is to put on successful events and hold successful fundraisers? Everybody has a great cause and all charities seem to be “fighting” for dollars. I’ve sat at the door of a local Co-op to sell tickets for a fundraising raffle and I’m 100% okay with people walking by and saying a polite no thank you. I surely hope that I don’t give people the stink eye, it’s certainly not intended if I do. Usually my main goal isn’t to sell tickets, it’s to educate and inform the public about my cause and why I’m so passionate about volunteering (aka I don’t want my taxes to go up haha). I’m always very appreciate of those who do give and of the businesses who let us sit at their doors and reach a larger audience than traditional (expensive) advertising.

As a rule I never donate when a store asks if I want to, the reason being is because they take our money and write a donation check with there name on it and get the tax receipt. I like donating, but I would rather donate on my dime as opposed to paying the store to donate on their behalf.

Trapper85 said "As a rule I never donate when a store asks if I want to, the reason being is because they take our money and write a donation check with there name on it and get the tax receipt. I like donating, but I would rather donate on my dime as opposed to paying the store to donate on their behalf. "

Agree Trapper85 - I happen to know of a charity in Brandon that always ran a large fundraiser at a certain store - giving donation receipts to donors who stopped at the the table. But this year that store decided to take away that fundraiser and do the till option - as you said so they can get the tax benefit. Sadly that charity will not longer be able to raise the funds it needs to keep their doors open - as the store donation is about 1% of what they were able to raise themselves.

don brown said "Was sort of expecting something a bit different, maybe along the lines of how government was putting up more rules and regulations and taxes.   I guess at times it can make one feel uncomfortable when a person actually comes out and asks for a donation. I feel that the majority of people see the positives of charities but it can leave a person uncomfortable when they have to apply the reality of their own situation to how they feel.   I don't mind people setting up a station for promoting their charity, where if you do choose you can donate, maybe I just one of those people who think they are offending others by saying no, but the same applies to charities as other things in life, one has to prioritize who and what they can give to.   Sort of like the donors choice idea. "

You're certainly not offending cashiers by saying no. They're just doing what they're instructed to do by store management. Same as if they're asking you if you want to sign up for credit cards or loyalty programs.  
What is offensive is when people decide they need to berate them for doing exactly what their bosses told them to do. A simple no thanks is good enough no one is going to care or remember that. They do remember the ass that yells at them for something not in our control though.

I hate when you go to buy somthing and the store wants your postal code,email, even house address. why do they need that information. Just take my money and give me my goods.

Orion's-Belt said "I hate when you go to buy somthing and the store wants your postal code,email, even house address. why do they need that information. Just take my money and give me my goods. "

Demographics of who shops at their store. What areas most frequent their establishment so they can focus their mailing ads to the geographical areas that shop there the most. Most places only do it once a year and it's entirely voluntary.

Was going through the self checkout today and bam they were asking if u wanted to make a donation..they get you one way or another!!

Orion's-Belt said "I hate when you go to buy somthing and the store wants your postal code,email, even house address. why do they need that information. Just take my money and give me my goods. "

giving my postal code but when they ask me 'can we start with an email'? Uh, nope!

but that's a rant for a different day...I don't feel nickel and dimed to death because I don't mind saying no...but I agree with your point of "how many charities do we need?"

MrDobalina said "but that's a rant for a different day...I don't feel nickel and dimed to death because I don't mind saying no...but I agree with your point of "how many charities do we need?" "

But UBI (Universal Basic Income) I believe could help solve this issue in the long run. Although I doubt charities will just disappear if UBI ever makes its way into existence in a non-trial form.  
 
While I agree the world in general seems to be transitioning into "Nickle N Dime" payment models, I don't think the cashier making minimum wage behind the counter is going to hold it against anybody who declines to make a donation. They're just doing there job asking, nobody has to say yes.  
 
Slightly off-topic. But that is just my 2 cents.

MrDobalina said "but that's a rant for a different day...I don't feel nickel and dimed to death because I don't mind saying no...but I agree with your point of "how many charities do we need?" "

Who's to say how many we need. Do you know what a prosthetic limb costs the War Amps? Do you understand the cost of a wheelchair for SMD? What about the cost of funding MS research? Or cancer? Or how about the Red Cross taking care of literally 176 people in our city right now because of a fire that absolutely none of them had any control over?  
Just because they don't affect your life doesn't mean they don't affect the lives of those around you. If you've never had to utilize a charity count yourself lucky and move along.

Degenerate108 said "    MrDobalina said "but that's a rant for a different day...I don't feel nickel and dimed to death because I don't mind saying no...but I agree with your point of "how many charities do we need?" " Who's to say how many we need. Do you know what a prosthetic limb costs the War Amps? Do you understand the cost of a wheelchair for SMD? What about the cost of funding MS research? Or cancer? Or how about the Red Cross taking care of literally 176 people in our city right now because of a fire that absolutely none of them had any control over?   Just because they don't affect your life doesn't mean they don't affect the lives of those around you. If you've never had to utilize a charity count yourself lucky and move along. "

The other 70cents goes to offices and salaries and almost half goes to the companies contracted to solicit the donations...is the Red Cross taking care of 176 people right now? I know what a wheel chair costs and I know that no charity has paid for any of the ones I’m aware of...I would ask if YOU actually understand what most of these charities ACTUALY get done...what your $10 actually does.

I’m not opposed to charities, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people fundraising and supporting a cause...and I know charities do good things. I just don’t give to charities for my own reasons.

Thanks for your nice comments of understanding on this subject in your PM to me.. It is so important to know there are 2 sides to every coin. 2 sides to every story.. I dealt with so many wonderful customers along my journey & I'm very grateful for that.... I won't forget you....

I hate being "put on the spot" to donate/pay. Money, money, money... that''s what every person/organization ever wants and expects to squeeze us dry for every last dollar. What a bloody hustle. If it''s not entering the store, it''s leaving it. If it''s not at home, it''s at work. Hey! Pi$$-off with your justified persuasive begging! ...But I can''t say that to their face because I will get labeled as a dick and my mommy taught me to better than that. ...So I sit there with a stupid look on my face of feeling guilty in wanting to say "no". Damn it Mom! ...you made too nice! Two bucks at the till, five at the door because I don''t carry change, twenty every time I answer the F''n door. Oh?!?... what''s this? ...The school sent home more forms for another fund raiser... What is it this time? Magazines, another "food event lunch/day" form, freezy/cookie/bake sales or just a collection of money/dry goods for a charity. Yeah, let''s get the kids involved, because that''s just a bottomless pit of awkward guilt moments... Like the extra curricular bloodletting from their team sponsorship of clothing/merchandise, "Bud''n''Spud" tickets, chocolate bar/cookie sales, Chinese auction draws and 50/50 tickets. Hey, if the school or hockey team or dance class is short on funds... How about just having or increasing the fee...Oh! Wait!... They already do that every year, but these hustles fall out of the "annual budget". Where''s the money I give to the school or what''s getting covered when I pay to sign up my kids. God! I sometime feel like my kids are a $hi++y phone plan or something. ...Always getting zapped with hidden fees. And don''t get me on mandatory minimum tipping, baby showers and wedding socials... That''s just expecting to get someone to pay for something they want, all the while they are getting paid or have fun party in doing it.  
 
The money just keeps disappearing. Every Monday I pull out cash and by the weekend, my wallet is empty again. The stupid thing is, all my purchases are done by credit card. This is just the our petty cash. ...And none of it is ever spent on me! So we are getting "nickel and dimed", except with fives and twenties.  
 
Charity is supposed to make us feel better and lucky about ourselves that we are fortunate to have the lifestyles we''ve experienced. But lately, I feel taken for granted. We shouldn''t continuously be exploited of our guilt and good manners by these means of entitlement for more and more donations. We''re/they''re at the saturation point when it comes to "extra money". ...So stop. Because I''m feeling bitter and broke from people who seem to have no conception on how to handle money or how it actually works.  
 
Ever hear of the expression "a penny saved, is a penny earned"?  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong. (or extra cheap today)  
 
Edited by snowman5, 2018-05-29 18:37:34

If I was working i would to the food bank. But for now I have to use the food bank. It is hard. I am all I when it comes to voulenteering and helping out charities, I do several each year. But financial wise, it's a no go. When you food budget gets ripped down to $20 a month you have draw the line somewhere.

people have less disposable income these days for charities and we spend more and more money on less important, social status items. The people that should be donating more and more are all the big companies that are making more money than ever as their prices are always on the rise. here''s a crazy idea How about a gas company gives something back for a change??  
 
Edited by yuppers, 2018-06-02 12:39:52

There is a lot of misinformation about charities out there, especially on social media. I saw a post outlining a few “bad ones” as well as better alternatives. When you go to places like Charityintelligenc I find the Facebook ranked them completely wrong. Last info on war amps is about 15% on fundraising and admin.

MrDobalina said "    Degenerate108 said "    MrDobalina said "but that's a rant for a different day...I don't feel nickel and dimed to death because I don't mind saying no...but I agree with your point of "how many charities do we need?" " Who's to say how many we need. Do you know what a prosthetic limb costs the War Amps? Do you understand the cost of a wheelchair for SMD? What about the cost of funding MS research? Or cancer? Or how about the Red Cross taking care of literally 176 people in our city right now because of a fire that absolutely none of them had any control over?   Just because they don't affect your life doesn't mean they don't affect the lives of those around you. If you've never had to utilize a charity count yourself lucky and move along. " The other 70cents goes to offices and salaries and almost half goes to the companies contracted to solicit the donations...is the Red Cross taking care of 176 people right now? I know what a wheel chair costs and I know that no charity has paid for any of the ones I’m aware of...I would ask if YOU actually understand what most of these charities ACTUALY get done...what your $10 actually does. "

I do in fact understand how much one costs as I've had to replace mine accordingly throughout my life. I'm also aware of how much prosthesis cost because I'm a bilateral amputee. The titanium eg I had as a teen was in the 5000 range. The chair I'm currently sitting in for instance is $9000 just mine. Replacement parts for it run 100s of dollars. So yes I'm aware of how much cost charities like SMD and the War Amps actually cover for people who need them. Of course there's overhead and some are better as cutting that than others but again unless you need to actually use some of these organizations you wouldn't be inclined to care would ya?

I agree that stores should step right out collecting money for charities. It's off-putting to most customers.  
 
I also think people should be much more careful about where they donate their money. The charitable industry (emphasis on industry) is a huge employer of often highly-paid staff. Virtually every charity has a six-figure CEO now. Some charities hide their administrative costs by simply donating their money to other charities. Those other charities often have bloated overhead, so even charities with very low overhead may simply be flowing the money through to other charities with high overhead.  
 
Probably the best way (though nothing is perfect) to understand where a charity spends its money is via the Canada Revenue Agency List of Charities (google it). There you can see where their revenue comes from, where their expenses go, and what their employee compensation looks like.  
 
Not all charities are bad. But because charity is an industry, there is sometimes less focus on solving problems than on keeping the charity in business. We've been battling homelessness for decades in this country, and there is a massive charitable infrastructure dedicated to that cause...yet despite billions thrown at the problem, it's still a massive problem.  
 
Think before you donate. Volunteering is often a better route.