AIBU in expecting people to pay?

Many people do not carry cash anymore. Maybe they only pass your house once a week and will pay next time. I cannot believe anyone would just steal something like that.

i worked for the WRVS volunteers in the crown court manning the cafe. . The jury would order sandwiches and put the appropriate money on the tray. An usher would bring the order and deliver it to them. when the tray and money came back someone hadn't paid, so I sent it back and didn't accept till money was correct. was shocked. they can claim it back in expenses after all.

Should add that when I put my produce out, I always know how much I should make, and fetch the money in frequently.
Most of my customers are very local, I don’t live on a main road. I find they usually have the correct change, or leave a bit extra. Have had people ring the doorbell for change if they only have a note, which is fine.

It’s a nice feeling when people say how good the tomatoes etc are, I am very reasonable in what I ask for, and they appreciate it.

I have advertised my surplus apple harvest on Freecycle and folk have been keen to come and take them. Perhaps not in these COVID times though.
You join a local group online to be able to post your giveaways and wants. I have cleared out lots of stuff that way. It’s sometimes surprising what people find a use for. I hate having to take things to the dump and thus landfill.

Another time I went away with a walking group. The form was that everyone gave the driver 1 or 2 pounds depending on the journey. On arrival we went to pay the driver and one lady gathered her belongings and said she would be returning in the other car!She got out and I'm sure she didn't pay the other driver either!

I think that's so sad. When we're driving through any village (in the good days) we love to stop at all the offerings (honey, eggs etc) and purchase these goodies in abundance.. It would be such a shame if this was no longer available....

Some people are reluctant to pay for things. Some years ago I booked a holiday cottage so that my son and friends could spend 2 days there. For the rest of the week I invited 3 friends and explained that they and the boys would share the cost. One offered me£5 for petrol, the other nothing. The drive there and back was 200 miles and I dont think either of them bought food or drink. Never again!

What a lovely thought Teacheranne. Wish I could crochet. Even my knitting leaves much to be desired.

Riggie- maybe an alternative prize should be offered then‐ like a 'houseplant in a pot'or similar?

I agree,days of honesty boxes are over- you should just leave the packages for free for kiddies to grow a sunflower‐and no reward or contest.Or just not bother im afraid.(could be most have paid, but some put in a £1 & then take £2out?) Anyway it clearly does not work very well in this day & age?

We took part in our village Open Gardens and I laid on cake and tea, requesting a donation to cancer research. Some people were unbelievable, demanding coffee as it I was running a cafe! Worst of all the majority seemed to think that 50p-£1 was a reasonable donation for homemade cream cake and tea!

You should declare the contest null and void due to lack of sales showing the numbers of bags taken and funds received. May jolt some in to paying up!

Then the OP would be on sticky ground for misrepresentation as those who have paid will be within their rights to ask for a refund!!

I can only say that it's bound to happen, probably need to factor in a or percentage for losses. It's the way of the world.

I always wonder at these honesty boxes actually receiving whatever is due. I know a friend placed organic chicken eggs for sale at the end of her lane with honesty box. Only received money for 3 out of 7 boxes. She wasn't upset saying if the folk who didn't pay couldn't afford to she was happy to let them have them. I pointed out she would be just as well giving them all away for free given that philosophy. You should declare the contest null and void due to lack of sales showing the numbers of bags taken and funds received. May jolt some in to paying up!

Most years we sell surplus seedlings, plants, fruit and vegetables at the gate with an honesty box. The box can't be opened and is screwed to our wall. Only once were some strawberries taken and no money left. Local people are pretty honest around here, the holiday visitors less so. Lots of villagers sell things this way in our village: eggs, logs, kindling etc. always cheaper than the shops and benefitting local people.

@Annaraml Unfortunately I’ve also found that if you allow people to rip you off they will !! A couple of years ago we had a glut of apples and soft fruit from our trees, so rather than let them go to waste, I bagged them up and left a couple of big boxes at the gate, asking for small donations which I would donate to charity. Needless to say, the box and the coffers were empty at the end of the day and I had a visit from a neighbour threatening to report me to the council for selling without a license !! You live and learn.

It's awful to think people would take and not pay, it was only a £1 and for a good cause. Things aren't what they used to be. My grandad had a market garden when I was a child and left bags of fruit & veg at his gate all the time and money was always left on the tin dish.

I would like to think people would not take the bags without paying, I think someone has just helped themselves to the money? Maybe I am naïve I'm sorry Pamela, it is a lovely thing you are doing

My farmer friend left a large box of tomatoes at her gate with an honesty box and note asking people to pay what they liked when they took some tomatoes. In the evening when she went to collect the honesty box there were no tomatoes and only 50 pence in the box.
Fings aint what they used to be...

Why not ask for a minimum donation of a £1 to ‘cover costs and go to a good cause’? Hopefully more generous donations will then outweigh any lightfingered so and so’s.

I saw a clever idea recently on the honesty box theme. The money had to be placed in a tube which went into the persons garden and into something else’s ie out of easy reach. Didn’t see where it went...

??

I’ve seen ‘eyes’ painted on honesty boxes. Perhaps you could try that ?

chocolate pudding, I already know how many have been sold and I don’t think the ones taking their money would leave their name?.
We aren’t on a main road so it is just locals who are passing.
I’m still a little bit optimistic that they will return.
Well, only a very little bit after reading some of the replies.

One note of consolation: apples thrown about are not wasted*. Birds, insects and other wildlife will eat them.

*in the same way apples left to rot in an orchard aren’t wasted.