Chuggers
Posted 05-26-2009 at 12:11 PM by Ancalagon
Chuggers, the scum of humanity. How I hate thee.
What are chuggers you ask? Chugger is short for charity mugger. These people clasp clipboards like baseball bats and wait for unsuspecting people to walk by. They pounce, and attempt to get people to sign up to charities by any means necessary, usually involving large amounts of guilt.
The problem that I have with chuggers is that they force charity down your throat. How many people have signed up to charities that they couldnt care less about, simply to get the chugger in question to shut up? Or out of guilt. Charity should be a choice, something you decide to do because you feel strongly about an issue.
"But not enough people donate to charities these days, we need to do something about it, and that something is the Chuggers", I hear you say. The problem I have with that is the supreme arrogance in it. My charity is so important that we need to use salesman to force people to sign up. The amount of money we gain is worth the cost to our morals/immortal soul/public standing.
Today I noticed something else about chuggers which I hadnt noticed before. Having just been laid off (mentioned in another thread), I was walking to the shops on my way home, to pick up some essentials. I noticed a young male chugger (they imitate us well) chatting up a human female in an attempt to get her to sign up. She had brushed him aside by the time I got to him, but he didnt say anything to me. Who did? His colleague, a young attractive female (looked human enough). Hmmmph. I went inside, bought stuff, came back out, and the young man-a-like was chatting up another female. Using sex to sell charity? Thats a new low. Ps the charity in question was friends of the Earth.
The thing about chuggers which gets me, besides the forcing-guilt-down-your-throat bit, is that I'm 99% sure they arent associated with the charity beyond being employed by them. Next week they might be doing Hooters promotions. They are just salesman. Now I dont begrudge salesman an honest living, but I dont like that charities feel the need to use them to fill their coffers.
What are chuggers you ask? Chugger is short for charity mugger. These people clasp clipboards like baseball bats and wait for unsuspecting people to walk by. They pounce, and attempt to get people to sign up to charities by any means necessary, usually involving large amounts of guilt.
The problem that I have with chuggers is that they force charity down your throat. How many people have signed up to charities that they couldnt care less about, simply to get the chugger in question to shut up? Or out of guilt. Charity should be a choice, something you decide to do because you feel strongly about an issue.
"But not enough people donate to charities these days, we need to do something about it, and that something is the Chuggers", I hear you say. The problem I have with that is the supreme arrogance in it. My charity is so important that we need to use salesman to force people to sign up. The amount of money we gain is worth the cost to our morals/immortal soul/public standing.
Today I noticed something else about chuggers which I hadnt noticed before. Having just been laid off (mentioned in another thread), I was walking to the shops on my way home, to pick up some essentials. I noticed a young male chugger (they imitate us well) chatting up a human female in an attempt to get her to sign up. She had brushed him aside by the time I got to him, but he didnt say anything to me. Who did? His colleague, a young attractive female (looked human enough). Hmmmph. I went inside, bought stuff, came back out, and the young man-a-like was chatting up another female. Using sex to sell charity? Thats a new low. Ps the charity in question was friends of the Earth.
The thing about chuggers which gets me, besides the forcing-guilt-down-your-throat bit, is that I'm 99% sure they arent associated with the charity beyond being employed by them. Next week they might be doing Hooters promotions. They are just salesman. Now I dont begrudge salesman an honest living, but I dont like that charities feel the need to use them to fill their coffers.
Total Comments 7
Comments
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I hate these guys. Last time I was back home I found they had multiplied like roaches.
Have you tried just playing up the accent and saying you're only over for a visit? I do that here and it tends to cut them off mid-pushy spiel. Other than that, get a set of headphones, keep them in your pocket. When you're going down the main street put them in and blindly ignore everyone who tries to get your attention. |
Posted 05-26-2009 at 08:31 PM by KamaItachi
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I speed march past them with my headphones on, completely ignoring them. They still try, but I dont give them the time of day.
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 02:14 AM by Ancalagon
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You could always try honesty. "If I fill that out, I will put down fake info to get you to shut up." Then again, they may still want it to boost their numbers so you are screwed either way.
Just as bad are the phone calls. After seeing how many calls my parents get from people they gave to before, I have vowed to not give to most charities. My only contribution goes to Child's Play, not just because they are awesome, but also because of the no hassle practices. |
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 05:17 AM by Kielaran
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I have a policy that I only give to charities that I actively seek out, which isn't many, but it's my choice. I'm not going got be guilt tripped or brow-beaten into singing up for something, particularly when most of these guys are, like Ancalagon mentions, pretty mercenary. They don't care about the charity, they're just trying to make numbers.
I've never really lost it at one of these guys, but they seem to be much less of an issue here in Aus than they are back home in the U.K. I try to avoid contact, and if one really pushes it just tell them straight out I'm not interested. My mum told me a story about how one of these fucks pretty much trailed her down the street thinking she was an easy mark. The phone calls... don't get me started on that. I don't bother answering my phone after 6 O'clock in the afternoon. If it's someone I know they'll leave a message or call me on my mobile. |
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 06:05 AM by KamaItachi
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Yeah, I always wonder about the policy of paid charity collectors. From what I've read, the pay can be quite good too. Plus stories like only 10-30% of your money (depending on the charity) makes it to the people in need once everyone along the chain has taken their cut. The report I read even had the Red Cross / Red Crescent (one of the most respected charities) only getting 30% of the money to the end of the chain.
I haven't donated in years and have no plan to start now. (Actually a little lie, I put in $50 for the CoG child's play run. I guess I just trust Tycho and Gabe.. maybe too much?) |
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 06:51 AM by Chris_D
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I actually had two guys come to my door a couple of days, clipboard in hand. I gave them a quick brush off, easy since I'm legitimately broke, and one actually said "Each donation goes towards uncovering the truth that is being covered up in the Middle East." That gave me a big grin and I told them, "That's fantastic. Good luck with that." Close door.
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 11:31 AM by Rock Bandit
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisD
(Actually a little lie, I put in $50 for the CoG child's play run. I guess I just trust Tycho and Gabe.. maybe too much?)
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Posted 05-27-2009 at 11:32 AM by Kielaran
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