Charity Workers At The Checkout???

MadDog76 · 15-05-2014 9:49pm #1

Just wondering what people's general feelings are regarding charity workers at supermarket checkouts?
I'm all for charity myself but I find this particular form of fundraising extremely irritating to put it mildly.
It starts with "Would you like helping packing your bags?" to which I reply "No thank you" .......... this is of course ignored as they stuff tins of beans onto your sliced pan which ruins the beans on toast you'd planned to have later as well as making you feel obliged to "volunteer" your change to their charity of choice.
It's a very passive/aggressive form of fundraising and I really wish supermarkets would ban this practice ........... or maybe have a designated "No Charity" checkout???

Anyway just wondering how other people feel about this?

athtrasna · 15-05-2014 9:54pm

Most Supermarkets do have packer free checkouts? Personally I always decline but throw a euro or two into the bucket if I think it's a good cause. Bag packing is actually a really successful way of fundraising, it's all about large volumes of small donations.

Having said all that I don't think kids should be allowed do bag packing, it should be adults only..for a load of reasons.

MadDog76 · 15-05-2014 10:06pm

athtrasna wrote: »

Most Supermarkets do have packer free checkouts? Personally I always decline but throw a euro or two into the bucket if I think it's a good cause. Bag packing is actually a really successful way of fundraising, it's all about large volumes of small donations.

Having said all that I don't think kids should be allowed do bag packing, it should be adults only..for a load of reasons.

I shop regularly in two well-known supermarkets and any time there's charity bag packers I could never find a "packer free" checkout .......... believe me I've looked, more out of principle than anything else.

I agree that it is a very successful way of fundraising, that's my point ........ it's successful because (I feel) it put's people on the spot, almost embarrassing people to give to charity instead of standing back and allowing me to choose to give or not to give as I see fit.
I know I obviously do have that choice but it can be awkward if you choose not to ......

lycan238 · 15-05-2014 10:13pm

I have seen this in a few supermarkets and taken part in it once but been involved in organising it on a number of occasions.

At all times it was the responsibility of the cashier to ask the customer would they like help packing their bags or indeed help out to their vehicle of choice. People fundraising were asked to stand back and they would be called forward if they were required. A bucket was left at the end of the register where customers had the option of giving money even if they did not avail of the bag packing service. I find this the fairest way of getting the most donations as customers are more inclined to give larger donations when it was/is their own decision on whether or not they require assistance.

If a customer wanted help and I was asked to help I would always ask them what did they want me to pack (to avoid the situation above).

MadDog76 · 15-05-2014 10:19pm

lycan238 wrote: »

I have seen this in a few supermarkets and taken part in it once but been involved in organising it on a number of occasions.

At all times it was the responsibility of the cashier to ask the customer would they like help packing their bags or indeed help out to their vehicle of choice. People fundraising were asked to stand back and they would be called forward if they were required. A bucket was left at the end of the register where customers had the option of giving money even if they did not avail of the bag packing service. I find this the fairest way of getting the most donations as customers are more inclined to give larger donations when it was/is their own decision on whether or not they require assistance.

If a customer wanted help and I was asked to help I would always ask them what did they want me to pack (to avoid the situation above).

Totally agree .......... I put a fiver in the bucket of a gentleman who respected my space and reply of "no thanks" to his offer to pack my bags (I'd just rather pack them myself either way) .......... I gave a pushy teenage girl 8 cents for "packing" my bags when I clearly said "no thank you" to her offer.

masonchat · 15-05-2014 11:53pm

It shouldnt be allowed i think , its hard to say no to some poor kid who is doing a good thing , it does put people on the spot , and you cant tell someone what to pack it would take twice as long or probably or be done wrong,

I dont even think they should be allowed stand at the doors.

dudara · 16-05-2014 10:22am

I'm not crazy on the idea of other people packing my groceries. I like to do it myself, and I definitely don't trust a teenage boy to have the experience to do it correctly (even if he has the best intentions in the world).

Don't be embarrassed to say "No Thanks". It's as simple as that.

calex71 · 16-05-2014 10:47am

I've always said no thinks for the same reason as above , bread gets packed 1st and anything and everything put in on top :mad:

Just say no thanks, if it's a good cause I'll put a euro in the bucket anyway but not if they ignore my wish not to pack the bags for me.

The major issue I have and I have noticed it a lot more recently in our local tesco is them being groups from outside the locality, the likes of GAA clubs etc. by locality I mean groups from Dublin in a Drogheda shop :mad:

National charity fine, sports team from outside the area ? No change for them.

LynnGrace · 16-05-2014 10:52am

I decline politely, because I prefer to do my own packing, but usually throw in a couple of euro, or whatever I can afford, and depending on what the collection is for.

I have a much greater objection to those collectors who sit, often outside post offices/ banks/ shopping centre entrances, and yell at me, as I pass, to support some charity I have never heard of, or one with a vaguely similar name to a well known charity.

Calhoun · 16-05-2014 10:53am

I actually stopped shopping at a local dunnes as every time I went in to do my weekly shop every checkout had them on them. It seems that it's not enough for you to give your custom to a place you also have to be guilted into handing over some money.

Worse is when you say no to them and they sit right at the end of your checkout in the way.

Yamanoto · 16-05-2014 11:19am

dudara wrote: »

Don't be embarrassed to say "No Thanks". It's as simple as that.

You're right of course, but it's precisely that embarrassment that's fundamental to the success of this particular shake-down. I'm sure many folks would prefer to outright decline the offer of assistance, but they succumb to the low-level social pressure of the situation, allowing their actions and responses to be dictated accordingly.

Cha-ching!

skelligs · 16-05-2014 11:41am

Yes, its very annoying and one of the reasons I don;t shop in Dunnes because they seem to always have them. I don't mind every now and then.

However, if any organisers are looking here - here's a far better idea.

"We'll wheel the trolley out and place goods in your car and bring your trolley back to the trolley bay in exchange for the euro in your trolley."
By only asking for a euro and providing a "concierge" service, you're bound to get extra donations and goodwill especially on rainy days and you don't annoy people by bad packing.

Malari · 16-05-2014 11:52am

I usually say no to the packing (if they even ask before grabbing your stuff) and throw them some coins anyway, if it's a charity I support.

I do find though, that even if you find a till that does not have helpers at the end, they will migrate over from other tills if they see you going through it! Quite irritating.

pinkypinky · 16-05-2014 12:37pm

I was in Dunnes last weekend - don't normally shop there.
There were kids doing packaging. No checkouts without packers.
I wasn't looking forward to the mild embarrassment but was surprised to discover that they came forward, asked if I wanted help, I said no thanks, and then they went back to stand against the wall.

rubadub · 16-05-2014 1:52pm

Often it is not for charity, its funding what are basically kids holidays.

If I owned a supermarket I would certainly not let them in, legitimate charities included. It does not bother me much personally since I almost always have a backpack for carrying my shopping, if I need more I have those bag for life things. But they can see me getting a wallet etc out of my backpack and never once has someone offered to pack it -it would be far to intrusive to take someones personal bag like that. It'd be sort of like rooting in a womans handbag.

MadDog76 · 16-05-2014 2:03pm

It's not just the packing part that bothers me, it's the fact that there at all ............. in your face, staring at your shopping, staring at you handing over the money, staring at your change ............. waiting for that moment when you have to either push past them to leave or put money in their bucket ............ most people (I guess?) succumb to social pressure and give in to their "demands"!!! lol

Miaireland · 16-05-2014 4:24pm

I am not mad about them tbh particularly when they are young kids who have no idea how to pack a bag and are doing it for some sport's club outing.

However I have come across excellent ladies and gents doing bag pack for Cancer services in Cork so I cannot speak badly about all of them.

My local store does have one till where there is no bag packers and it is the same till all the time which is handy.

Comhrá · 16-05-2014 11:42pm

I used to feel slightly intimidated by these packers and embarrassed not to donate whatever the cause.

I have now toughened up a bit and politely refuse the offer to pack but if I like the charity (and it's not a football club organising a trip for kids) I sometimes drop a few bob in the bucket.

Fred Swanson · 17-05-2014 12:50am

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hdowney · 17-05-2014 3:10pm

I hate bag packers. I don't mind the collections by the door (I was one of them today for the Irish Heart Foundation). But bag packers. Pushy, greedy at times. Often not for charity but for some trip for kids (pay your own kids trips thanks, I can't even afford one for myself).

wmpdd3 · 17-05-2014 7:43pm

3 years ago a letter went out to all students in a local school detailing how much extra the school will have to find because the local supermarket reduced bag packs to once a month and they were too late to book one.

basically calling for a boycott of the store.

in the end after many calls from customers, a weekend was found.

i hate bag packers, love the idea of the we'll bring your stuff to the car for a euro.

pleasant Co. · 17-05-2014 7:56pm

wmpdd3 wrote: »

3 years ago a letter went out to all students in a local school detailing how much extra the school will have to find because the local supermarkret reduced bag packs to onve a month amd they were too late to book one.

basically calling for a boycot of the store.

Wow, what a ****ty life lesson to teach students, well done blackmailing school, I adjust my monocle in your honour.

SoulTrader · 17-05-2014 8:01pm

3 or 4 times lately, when paying with a credit card (in the US), I've been asked if I would add a dollar to my bill for some charity or other.

Fries-With-That · 17-05-2014 8:10pm

SoulTrader wrote: »

3 or 4 times lately, when paying with a credit card (in the US), I've been asked if I would add a dollar to my bill for some charity or other.

Bag packers love them or hate them its at the discretion of the person that has had their groceries packed to donate or not.

They do not ask for any particular amount.

What irks me is when buying fuel at Topaz, the counter assistant asking me for an extra €1 for their particular charity. If Topaz want to support a particular charity by donating a cent per tank fill or whatever that's fine, but by asking me to give a €1 its taking the p*ss unless they match it Euro for Euro.

Lisha · 17-05-2014 8:18pm

SoulTrader wrote: »

3 or 4 times lately, when paying with a credit card (in the US), I've been asked if I would add a dollar to my bill for some charity or other.

I hate that tbh and I really hope that topaz's effort to start this here fails miserably.

Bag packers I don't hate it as I respect people who fundraise but I will be more generous to schools / play schools/ genuine charities not ones funding holiday trips.

Fries-With-That · 17-05-2014 8:22pm

Lisha wrote: »

I hate that tbh and I really hope that topaz's effort to start this here fails miserably.

This is here (Topaz Ireland) I was responding to the poster that mentioned about being asked to put an extra $1 on his credit card.

Lisha · 17-05-2014 8:26pm

Fries-With-That wrote: »

This is here (Topaz Ireland) I was responding to the poster that mentioned about being asked to put an extra $1 on his credit card.

Sorry I was actually responding to both posts. (Must figure out how to quote multi posts in phone)

To clarify I dislike the American custom of asking if you want to add $1 to credit card bill and I hope that topaz efforts to start this annoying American type custom here in Ireland is unsuccessful.

homer911 · 17-05-2014 8:27pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Its hardly a case of Lidl and Aldi banning such practices - their business model does not support packing of goods at the checkout

Fred Swanson · 17-05-2014 8:47pm

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L1011 · 17-05-2014 9:25pm

SoulTrader wrote: »

3 or 4 times lately, when paying with a credit card (in the US), I've been asked if I would add a dollar to my bill for some charity or other.

I think I quite seriously shocked the assistant in a TJ Maxx in a poor-ish part of Oregon by agreeing to that - they'd just asked in general without an amount and I ended up giving $5. Was saving more than that with their 0% sales tax anyway...

danjo-xx · 17-05-2014 10:56pm

homer911 wrote: »

Its hardly a case of Lidl and Aldi banning such practices - their business model does not support packing of goods at the checkout

amen for that, least we got something good outa the Germans.

I hate the whole principal of bag packers its intimidating... except for a few of the older ones who have more sense.

In my local supervalue, there is hardly a weekend in the year that there is no bag packers on the checkouts, its ridiculous and over kill.

I love the charity collectors at the main door who say 'please support xxxx and as you walk by they say THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Who! are they to judge Me, I could be dying of cancer for all they know.:mad:

LynnGrace · 17-05-2014 11:00pm

danjo-xx wrote: »

I love the charity collectors at the main door who say 'please support xxxx and as you walk by they say THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Who! are they to judge Me, I could be dying of cancer for all they know.:mad:

I would answer that with a sarcastic 'you are welcome'. Seriously, I would. I really object to that kind of thing.

Soundman · 18-05-2014 3:59am

I hate bag packers in shops, especially the chugger type. I don't want people staring at my shopping and judging, or as has been mentioned previously, mis-packing things and damaging my purchases.

TheDriver · 18-05-2014 9:32am

I hate bag packers.........big pet hate.

Anyways, another thing that annoys me is schools collecting at the tills for no particular reason. Its always vague where this money goes i.e. what exactly in the school is this money used for? Usually its to subsidise things like swimming lessons or buses to places but the question must then be asked: shouldn't parents fund these themselves?? Also GAA clubs from every parish around the town are collecting?? And lastly as one poster said, fundraising for the kids holidays (sorry-helping other kids in a certain country......). I am actually struggling to remember bag packing that was for a charity and not the above......

Now lets get started on church gate collections.................

TheDriver · 18-05-2014 9:33am

LynnGrace wrote: »

I would answer that with a sarcastic 'you are welcome'. Seriously, I would. I really object to that kind of thing.

Remember that some of these are on commission hence the aggression....

doolox · 18-05-2014 9:54am

Because they exploit the Irish tendency to "look good" in front of their neighbours by giving donations to a charity on impulse.

I refuse them point blank and go on my way with my purchases.

I have come across the sarcastic comments as well and make a reply along the lines of I have no spare money and do not give to charities on impulse.

Since the Rehab scandal I have sought out the details of the two charites I do subscribe to with the intention of dropping them if inflated costs or salaries were found. I would urge everyone to do the same.

The Irish as a nation need to boycott such collections until they disappear through lack of response.

I also hate charity muggers of the street and have complained to the Gardai about them on occasions where they trap you at store entrances or traffic light crossings, where it is illegal or impossible to walk anywhere else.

umop.episdn · 18-05-2014 10:37am

homer911 wrote: »

Its hardly a case of Lidl and Aldi banning such practices - their business model does not support packing of goods at the checkout

But I've seen little changes lately in both stores.
Lidl have been collecting for a charity in their stores recently, a bucket at the till & the politely ask if you wish to chuck anything in, no offer of bag packing though.
My local aldi had a guy sitting inside at a table recently, by the exit as people passed with a bucket collecting for cancer
It might not be a stretch to see bagpackers coming in eventually eso as their market share increases

Yggr of Asgard · 18-05-2014 12:19pm

I am old enough to remember when superquinn offered staff that was doing the packing for you, I liked that, it was one of the reasons to shop there (as I hate shopping for food), but with the decline of superquinn that became a thing of the past.

The last couple of times when I went to a supermarket they had these charity things going on but to be honest I would not trust youngsters to be able to pack a shopping in a good way without destroying my goods. So if the packers are of the older generation than I am happy because they know what to do and I'm happy to give them an amount corresponding to the effort they put in. Yes it's reverse ageism but a 16 year old in track suit scratching his nose is not going to get near to my shopping.

Now if they would issue receipts so that I can tell the tax man about it, I would even give more, better charity than revenue.

TheDriver · 18-05-2014 12:35pm

dublin-texas wrote: »

Now if they would issue receipts so that I can tell the tax man about it, I would even give more, better charity than revenue.

you will find that a lot of the causes e.g. schools and clubs will happily furnish an account of the money made on the day and likewise where and what it was spent on. Don't think revenue will have any issues with that.....

Fred Swanson · 18-05-2014 12:37pm

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foggy_lad · 18-05-2014 12:46pm

Afaik with Dunnes stores all bag packers are brought in store for an intensive training day before they are unleashed on the public and all must be at least 14 or 16 years old although a 10 year old would probably pack better than some gormless teenager:D

Fred Swanson · 18-05-2014 12:48pm

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ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 18-05-2014 1:25pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

Afaik with Dunnes stores all bag packers are brought in store for an intensive training day before they are unleashed on the public

They most certainly do not. I have grand nieces who do bag packing for the Red Cross in Dunne's and they just turn up on the day - never trained!

I hate bag packers at the checkout myself.

TheDriver · 18-05-2014 1:29pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

my sentiment exactly coupled with the fact that its camogie one day, youth hurling next day, football another day.....aren't they all the same?? Nice big clubhouses to pay for I suppose

Dan_Solo · 18-05-2014 1:36pm

Are bag packers specifically trained to put the eggs at the bottom? :-)
I usually say grand but wait until I've paid the cashier so I can give you a few pointers.

bee06 · 18-05-2014 4:13pm

I must be very lucky with my local Tesco. They very rarely have bag packers and when they do it's on Saturday when I would never be doing a big shop.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 18-05-2014 4:19pm

bee06 wrote: »

I must be very lucky with my local Tesco. They very rarely have bag packers and when they do it's on Saturday when I would never be doing a big shop.

I have to agree. Our Dunne's is a very large store but I always shop on a Friday and in fairness they only had bag packers twice last year - I usually finish shopping by 10.30 so maybe they haven't started by then.

vitani · 18-05-2014 5:33pm

I usually just say 'no thanks, I don't have that much to pack' and depending on the cause, I might give a bit of change. Most of the time they'll step back but I have had to ask them to move once or twice so I can put the trolley at the end - otherwise my 3 year old will be grabbing at everything within reach.

I'm particular enough about how I want my shopping packed, I like to spread the weight as evenly as I can and I've a certain order in which I pack the bags.

NIMAN · 18-05-2014 5:39pm

I don't mind charity packers, as long as they are proper charity for people in need.

Sometimes though I have had my bags packed by other organisations eg a judo club collecting to help fund a trip to a championship. For me that isn't an acceptable thing to have at the end of the aisle, when there are so many deserving charities out there.

MadDog76 · 18-05-2014 9:15pm

hdowney wrote: »

I hate bag packers. I don't mind the collections by the door (I was one of them today for the Irish Heart Foundation). But bag packers. Pushy, greedy at times. Often not for charity but for some trip for kids (pay your own kids trips thanks, I can't even afford one for myself).

To be honest I hate the door knocking charity collectors even more that the bag packers!!!
I find it a total invasion of privacy .......... the way they put one foot into YOUR house and sprout out their well-rehearsed spiel before you've even had a chance to say hello!!
And if at the end of their loooong spiel you decline to donate to their charity they get snotty, refuse to take no for an answer and look at you with disdain for wasting THEIR time?!?!
My wife is so intimidated by them that she refuses to even open the door to them unless I'm home so I can tell them to **** off ............. I have no problem being rude with them as I find the fact that they have the b***s to knock at MY door uninvited looking aggressively for money incredibly rude!!

The way I look at charity is this ........ if I believe in a good cause and I have faith in a charity collecting on behalf of this good cause then I will come to them (they're not hard to find), I don't need them to come looking for me!!

MadDog76 · 18-05-2014 9:17pm

LynnGrace wrote: »

I would answer that with a sarcastic 'you are welcome'. Seriously, I would. I really object to that kind of thing.

That's exactly what I do!!!

Charity Workers At The Checkout???

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