Chuggers

I think the trick is to stop them before they launch into their script, then it becomes difficult if like me you are polite and looking for a polite exit. I always say (truthfully) I have covenants for other charities and have no spare income. I am not sure I find them threatening, because they are representing charities, just a bit annoying.

I refuse to be accosted in the street. I just say no thanks and keep walking. A few years ago it was almost impossible to walk in the high street without being stopped every few yards. I think that it's poor practice.

i have two direct debits that go to charity, but living on a busy west end road i am always being stopped, i now just say i am so sorry but i am bankrupt and can't sign up for anything.

nexus - aren’t you lucky to be living in the West End ! Your house is probably worth a fortune !

They knock on doors here; I simply ask if they are chuggers, they affect ignorance, and I say thank you and goodbye.

I just say no and keep on walking. I have a few small local charities I support, so I refuse to be bullied into supporting these ones.

I just smile and walk on. The only charities I support are childrens ones as it's impossible to give to everyone. It must be quite soul destroying trying to stop people all the time.

This form of solicitation should be banned in my opinion.

Ellie Anne, I always interrupt them, early on, saying I don't want them wasting their time. I support several charities already - and I'm out of work at the moment (well, I am - being retired).

They are not working directly for charities. The same faces stop me every week in our town asking for a different cause each week. They work for an agency and are paid commission.
Our town only allows them to work on certain days.

I have been asked if I like children, animals etc. I always say that I don't.

I used to get approached in central London a lot, especially on Kingsway, when I was working as a strategic fundraiser for a national body. I used to say 'I'm a fundraiser and I'm immune' - they always gave up at that point.

Oxford Street is another place where they stop you. Apparently a lot of them are ex drama college students who can't find work. They can be persistent.

My sister and I once got 'chugged' in Paris. To a chorus of French curses, we were able to say a very firm 'Non'!

I don’t appreciate being accosted in the street by charities. I simply shake my head and keep walking.

So I m back moaning again. Yesterday they were in tesco entrance. Impossible to avoid. Jumping in front of you very enthusiastically! This time it was for Alzheimer’s. Good cause but I hate this way of raising money. If they had a can or a bucket I’d be happy to contribute but they don’t want that. I don’t think supermarkets should allow it.

As many people do not carry cash charities are going more for the direct debit way of donating.I had a door knocker yesterday asking me to sign up, I declined but offered some cash, she said they were not allowed to accept cash so they ended up with nothing from me.

I too, hate being canvassed in the street, but must admit to (after the initial relief that I can get on my way without interruption) a secondary reaction of “OK, so why don’t you want my opinion/why do you think I couldn’t afford double glazing/ do I look too miserly to donate to charity.” My reactions are, to say the least perverse.

I support several children's charities and a couple for the homeless, I know at least two were as a result of "chuggers" and tbh I don't regret signing up. Charities do what brings in income, if it doesn't bring in income they don't do it. I know one of my regular donations has been going for nearly 15 years, it's updated to reflect inflation and it's for a well known children's charity. I have no problem in saying no and I don't find chuggers intimidating, they are just doing what they are paid to do.

I'd never give my bank details to a stranger who stops me in the street.

I donate online if I want to. Chuggers just get a polite ‘No thanks’.
The first time I ever encountered one, ages ago now, was in central London. I agreed to sign up for a small monthly sum, but declined to give my age (irrelevant) or my phone number, since I didn't want them or anyone similar phoning me.

Several days later there was a letter saying that they were ‘unable’ to process my ‘application’ without this information!!
How’s that for barefaced cheek?

Letter went in the bin, and needless to say £x started going out of my account every month anyway.

As soon as I see them approaching me from a dstance I hold out my hand in a "barring" gesture and shake my head. This usually does the trick.

On one occasion in London's Oxford Street one took great offence and began to follow me shouting insults. I saw two police standing nearby and made a complaint to them about "aggressive begging". I dont know how it turned out but they immediately accosted the "chugger" and began questioning him. I dont believe he was genuinely collecting for a charity at all.

I sometimes tell them that I have DDs to several charities and any more could result in me having to ask for charity for myself.

I was caught out a few days ago at my local shopping centre. I was approached so I told the woman I did not carry cash (untrue) so she produced a card reader! I just walked on but unfortunately, she and her colleague appear to be there daily.

I also hate it when they are actually inside my local supermarket. It is difficult to avoid them going in or out. I can hardly say I am down to my last £ as it is Waitrose, my local!

I've been caught out by charity collectors who keep most of the takings for themselves. Two men dressed as superheroes were collecting "for children" in a local shopping mall. I asked a security guard if they were bona fide. He said the two men were running a business and would have applied for a licence to be there. Sadly it's not always like the situation where genuine volunteers give up their time for free.