Red Cross parcel

[Ratty2E]

I've just picked up my post and amongst the usual junk and bills was a large bulging envelope from the Red Cross. It would appear that they think they can bribe me into donating by giving me a bookmark, 2 greetings cards and 2 coasters and of course a pen. I get a bit annoyed by charities sending me 'gifts' surely they'd be better saving the money seeing as that is what they are begging me for. I imagine they get all this stuff and the postage at special rates but it still must cost them something.

[sandyRoe]

I agree. It's as though they're trying to make you feel guilty if you don't give.

[craft1948]

I got a phone call from Cancer Research UK...........after the lady had introduced herself I said that if she was wanting a donation I already give to my chosed charity each month.
She then asked if she could give me a talk, lasting about 5 minutes, about the work the charity did and when I declined she said that she was "surprised and disappointed with my attitude"..............I refrained from replying.

[cazzz1975]

the pens are normally underfilled..

[Maydup]

They are hoping to speculate to acummulate; to catch your attention over the compettion and to pull on your heart strings.

Its agressive marketing as opposed to passive and although more expensive yeilds higher returns. Basic stuff, but mine will go in the recycle bin.

[FredPuli43]

I got one of those Red Cross packets today. Next, I'm expecting a food parcel.

[tenrec]

Now you're talking "Food parcels" Hmmmm!

[Ratty2E]

Well they can waste their money sending me as much stuff as they like. I donate as and when I can to charities that don't harass me with unsolicited mail shots.

[boxtops]

I agree, ratty - I think they play on people's guilt at accepting something for nothing. I have dozens of very nice address labels which were unsolicited and which I use. The one which gets me at the moment is "Smile Train" - a very worthy cause but one which I can't afford to support as well as the others I choose to - they say (all the time) "if you give to us once, we'll never bother you again".... no, just stop sending, please.

[Bumpkin_Clumber]

Whenever I get those unwanted gifts they go straight into a bag I keep for Oggs & Sods I no longer need or have two of already and when full I take it all to my local Air Ambulance shop.. After all I might be needing them one day (In the distant future).

[boxtops]

The address labels are useful, bumpkin, but the rest is rarely worth having. The exception is those cards painted with the Foot etc, which I often get sent at Christmas. I don't want them, but I keep them.

[ojread2]

I got one as well
didn't really check the envelope just pulled the pen out and threw the rest as I buy books from charity stores
The cancer research pens are just pieces of cardboard that you can't use anyway but this pen, although usable, wont last long 'cos it has about an inch of ink in it lol
As for telephone attitude, with her attitude she isn't doing the charity any good what so ever

[murraymints]

I have had 2 of these in recent weeks !!..nice cards though..but will not be bullied into donations..if they can afford all this marketing do they really need the dosh ??

[boxtops]

It's speculation, as has been said - playing on guilt that we don't keep things if we haven't paid for them. Sorry - in these cases, we do.

[DTCwordfan]

I keep telling them that I am African, starving, no water, homeless, no TV, one legged, lesbian with 23 children, Catholic-Muslim, HIV, Cholera, Haemophiliac and illiterate but it doesn't cut any ice with them.

What am I doing wrong or missing?

[boxtops]

DT - you reply, so they know you are real!!!