On occasion I have the duty to post a daily thread on another forum, called "Getting to Know Your Fellow (Hobbyists)". It's normally hosted by a dedicated volunteer, but on occasion he has computer issues, so there are two backup hosts, and I'm one of them. I took the reins for a week or so while I was out on medical leave.
It's an interesting exercise. It isn't as easy as you might think to come up with icebreaker type of questions, or questions that people would like to answer. It's wise of course to stay out of politics or religion when doing these, and to avoid coming up with a question where an answer might lead some folks off on either of those kinds of tangents.
It's also an opportunity to find out if others might feel the same way that you do about something. I had been wondering about how other people felt about being solicited for donations at the cash register. For some reason it became vogue at Safeway, but now it's spreading to convenience stores, Ace Hardware, and other outlets. I posted the following question:
"What is your opinion of being hit up for a donation when you're at the register checking out?"
Here are the answers that I got. The names of the respondents, some of whom I've met personally, have been changed to protect their privacy.
(from Alan Wickman, San Jose CA)I don't mind as long as the cashier is not being pushy about it.
I
mean most of the time some cashier asks for a donation is when I'm at Safeway/Trader Joe's/Whole Foods/Lucky's or some other mega chain. These mega chains could donate to their cause 10 times what they get from average people and not even hurt profits. They could save the whales or the children or the dogs in one swoop without thinking about it. But no lets guilt someone who is living paycheck to paycheck to give away money so there is nothing left to put into savings.
(from David Schniff, SW Oregon)
It doesn't matter to me whether they hit me up or not, it is still my choice to say yes or no. I generally say no.
(from Warren Gates, Seattle area)
What I don't like is being in a restaurant and have this happen while dining. Yes, It's happened numerous times to us. It is more than rude. I have no problem saying no in that situation. I have organizations that I support and that is where my assistance is given. I was at the ROD RUN to the END of the WORLD this week end. A cub scout was selling popcorn. I have no problem with this at an Event and Scouts are one of my chosen organizations. It is also very hard for me to say no to caramel corn. It is a vice.
(from Tom Peterson, northern Alabama)
I always say No.
(from Clint Harrison, San Mateo CA)
I have no problem pushing the no button on the atm terminal and most often do. What I don't like is after I push the no button, the cashier asks if I want to make a donation. As mentioned above, these mega chains could make a huge donation and be done with it. I wonder though, with everyone that donates, does the company lump into one big sum and make the donation under their company name, then do they get to write it off on their taxes?
(from Mark Summers, Sebring FL)
I SAY NO
(from Albert Mitchell, New Jersey)
I'm a naysayer also!
(from Oscar Madison, Council Bluffs Iowa)
I don't give to them, nor do I give to phone hits. I have my regular donation sites, and they keep me giving.
(from Felix Unger, Springfield MO)
Jodi & I have our regular donations we make so usually say "no".
(from Steve McGarrett, Michigan)
I generally do not like it, but only get upset when they get pushy. My wife and I support a number of causes and resent these efforts to publicly guilt you into giving to some cause you really may not be familiar with.
(from Mary Collins, Bucks County PA)
I also say no, but it is annoying to get it again and again.
(from Nancy Davidson, PA)
I actually feel sorry for the cashiers. Some times their job depends on them begging you for money. That is corporate being so selfish. Just like when Wells Fargo employees made up accounts.
I know that for a while Sears threatened their employees if they did not try and get customers to sign up for a credit card. The worse thing is that the stores would use "shoppers" to watch the cashiers. If they did not ask, they were reprimanded and possibly fired/hours cut back for future infractions. It is a very dirty trick. I always thank the cashier for asking and say NO. I always mention that I will be contacting the organization that is being sponsored and let them know what is happening. Remember this comes from the very top of management; WHO would never get their hands dirty........
(from Joe Denison, Kensington CA)
institutionalized panhandling.
it's a dollar here, a dollar there, round up to the next dollar/$5/$10 to help the whatever cause.
i have 3 seconds to decide if it's a worthy charity/cause, not enough time, so no. too many big charities are skimming way too much. and is that store 'giving' my money and taking credit for the donation? taking a deduction of some sort?
(from Merrill Bellinger, MI)
Hate it!
I really like the Dollar General stores in the area, where they are taking money to "help a teen read" or something like that. WHAT.....they start school a 5 years old and they still don't know how to read as a teenager??
Just another way for the store to make a "tax deductable donation" at the end of the year in their name....big scam.
And it seems like more and more stores are doing it now.
(from Ed Wilson, Nebraska)
Well said [Alan Wickman] I agree.
(from Linda Bergeron, Idaho)
It's obnoxious and annoying. I always say no.
(from Dave Mosier, Tucson AZ)
While I have nothing against fundraising in and of itself, the way it's being done by these places has been getting bothersome, and in some instances irritating.
Some three months ago while waiting in line at Ace Hardware, I heard the cashier asking everyone to "round up" their purchases. I had some change I wanted to get rid of, and when my turn came I got hit up for that even though she knew I was counting out change. I coldly said "if there are no objections, I would like to pay in exact change."
I have a favorite charity that's local, and I prefer that my dollars go there, rather than to a "corporate" (for lack of a better term) charity.
Market researchers have to know that a lot of us find this process unlikable, but the insistence of the big bosses to do this lends credence to the thought that they're doing this for writeoff purposes. Well, it also gives them something to brag about on their webpages.
(David Schniff comes back with:)
The responses to this question are interesting. I hadn't every really thought about it annoying people, it doesn't really slow things down and all you have to do is say yes or no. The cashier doesn't care one way or another. I will admit I had never thought about the tax angle though, I wonder if they do get to write it off as a charitable contribution...
(Dave Mosier, responding to David Schniff's statement about the cashier not caring one way or the other:)
That's usually the case. I remember one Circle K cashier telling me "the children could sure use your change!"
It gets annoying when it seems that every cashier is asking you for a donation.
(Ed Vincent of Sierra County CA)
I don't like it and I do not give. If I walk out side and the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts are there it I will give them a donation and will not take the cookies or popcorn.
(David Schniff)
I do this as well. The cookies and popcorn are really a rip off for them and you. I would much rather my money go to the actual cause and not the company providing stale popcorn.
(Paul Jasperson, MO)
I hate it. Time is spent with it and it slows things down
(Jim Smootlock, PA)
At my place not only do we hit the customers up for donations we must also hit them up for our extreme value buy that being what ever we have too much of and need to get rid of soon. That being said I think if the customer wants to make a donation to what ever we're promoting at the time they would make a donation because the donation jars are on every check out on the purse table.
Those were the responses that I got.
Institutionalized Panhandling, and a source of irritation to customers.
