Chiggers

[Caran]

I hate them. Last week I went into BHS in Gloucester, just got in the door and was descended on by woman collecting for charity. I told her sorry, not today. When I went to till to pay I complained about the fact they were allowed in store. Today went to Lidl, a man was just outside the door collecting for some charity. I told him I objected to being hassled while trying to do my shopping, and could not understand how he had permission to stand at the door and hassle customers. I do my bits for the charities I want to donate to but object to the pressure pt on by chuggers. Any comments folks?

[Caran]

Sorry chuggers, dratted iPad!

[ChillDoubt]

Walk through town with a pair of earphones in and act oblivious to them.
The earphones don't even have to be plugged in.
Works for me, unless I'm feeling argumentative and fancy a discussion.

[Caran]

At 71 I would look a bit silly with headphones on but I take your point Chilldoubt.

[petal54]

I do usually give to 'big issue',if it's a regular 1

[ChillDoubt]

...or have a card printed and laminated that says:

I am Deaf.

[Baldric]

I find that Foxtrot and Oscar work quite well!

[mrs_overall]

Pah!
I only came onto this post as I was once bitten by a chigger - nasty little blighters.
Mind you, chuggers have a lot in common with them lol

[boxtops]

When I've collected in the past, it's been made clear that we are not allowed to rattle tins or to approach people, we have to wait for them to come to us(although we can smile beguilingly). They shouldn't be hassled, the street collection licences say so (round here, anyway).

These chuggers and their direct debit forms seem to have a different set of rules.

[boxtops]

LOL, this was in related posts, they sound nasty! http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Question48119.html#answer-132530

[Obiter]

The best way is to exaggerate. If, for example, they approach me and say, "We're collecting for Help the Aged," I say, "Well done, how much have you earned me today?"

[Caran]

I know boxtops, I spotted it too!

[boxtops]

We do bagpacking with the youth group I'm involved with. If the customer doesn't want their supermarket bag packed, we stand back. No obligation.

[Baldric]

I really object to bagpackers, how do they know what I want where, first bag to eye-level cupboards, next bag for under worktop storage, then Freezer followed by Fridge *** pests the lot of them!!!

[Ann]

I really object to bag packers too, I like to pack my own, I don't want things squashed so I refuse.

It's a bit of a liberty - akin to begging when I asked what they were collecting for, some young teenagers said "a trip to Peru for cultural education!" - I never had the chance to even go on a school trip to London!

[mrs_overall]

Youngest Junior Overall does the occasional bag pack session with the Air Cadets. They politely ask customers if they need a hand packing their bags. If the answer is no, they simply step back out of the way.
Some customers are downright rude to them and some let the lads pack their shopping and then don't put anything in the bucket.

[Ann]

I did contribute Mrs O but packed my own.
But some of the youngsters in Morrisons look really offended if you refuse to let them pack your bag so some people (not me!) must feel under pressure to let them do it.

[Bathsheba]

I don't object to bag-packers at all....I usually just say no thanks, but put some cash in their bucket anyway.
I DO object to those bouncy, cheery yoofs in the street with clipboards + enthusiasm + fingerless woolly gloves.....

x x

[Mamyalynne]

Boxtops is absolutely right - Charity collectors should neither rattle tins or speak to passers by, done the job myself. The rule is only speak when approached.
I have been known to report on odd occasions when they have overstepped the mark.

Bag packers are fine, if they will give you time - last time I ended up with 5 carrier bags when I had my own canvas shopper which is all I can carry as I use a stick to walk home.

I smiled sweetly and repacked in the foyer.

Charity collecting is not an easy task, I know.

[Caran]

No objections to bag packers, it's being accosted as I attempt to walk into a store I object to.

[janbee]

Caran, I completely agree. I always do my bit for many charities but I hate being hassled at my doorstep or if I'm in a store. Ask them if they like sex and travel. When they say Oh Yes, then tell then to ffff offfff. Or in biblical terms tell them to go forth and multiply. Or, just simply ignore them.