Chuggers

Whereisgalway

Can barely walk 50 metres down shop street without some kid trying to sell these scratch cards, no idea what 'charity' they are but some of them are quite aggressive

buzz11

Totally, the city streets are jammed with chancers from all over....

Mrs OBumble

No eye contact, mutter no "no eess engleesh" if spoken to. No problem.

Zzippy

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No eye contact, mutter no "no eess engleesh" if spoken to. No problem.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

No eye contact, mutter no "no eess engleesh" if spoken to. No problem.

Say it twice for effect? :pac:

Mrs OBumble

Zzippy wrote: »

Say it twice for effect? :pac:

Fecking wifi X touch bugs!

ben.schlomo

Dont find them bad this year at all, its always the Amnesty ones that are the worst.

Whereisgalway

Surely the council can do something about this, have general code of conduct

ben.schlomo

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Surely the council can do something about this, have general code of conduct

Why? Wheres the need. Person asks other person for support, other person says no thanks, everyone gets on with their lives.

Whereisgalway

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Why? Wheres the need. Person asks other person for support, other person says no thanks, everyone gets on with their lives.

14 times I got asked to donate money to various causes yesterday, some even followed me for a couple of meters pleading their cases.

The amnesty international are very passive aggressive and nearly put people off hanging around town to browse around shops etc

FouxDaFaFa

I would like to see some kind of act or legislation whereby if a charity collector makes a living wage from collecting, they are obligated to say so.

I'm sure a lot of people donating wouldn't enjoy knowing the guy they're giving their money to takes a hefty percentage of it or works through commission.

There's also the problem of scam collectors. I called the guards about a woman who was pretending to be deaf and collecting for a charity that does not do collections in Galway. They didn't really care.

galljga1

You never see anyone collecting for alzheimers.
"i'm raising money for...... eh..... Nevermind...."

JONJO THE MISER

Never seem to have a problem with them, i just walk past and blank them out if they get in my face.

ben.schlomo

JONJO THE MISER wrote: »

Never seem to have a problem with them, i just walk past and blank them out if they get in my face.

Seems others are a bit more sensitive to the issue, beggars belief.;)

Diabhal Beag

I never have a problem with them. If I don't know the charity before seeing a chugger I just say sorry and usually they're grand or stare a hole through you without abuse, which is all I ask really.

biko

If they're hot I ask for their phone number.
That usually makes things awkward enough for them to leave.

feelgoodinc27

I don't give money to any charity that has chuggers out the whole time, they are worse than actual beggars.

branie2

I've never been bothered by them

Squeeonline

feelgoodinc27 wrote: »

I don't give money to any charity that has chuggers out the whole time, they are worse than actual beggars.

I'd throw a few coppers at them if it would get them to leave me alone, but they don't want that. They want me to sign up with a monthly direct debit. Yeah, I feel really comfortable with giving some randomer on the street my bank details....

doolox

....now seem to have Chuggers especially for Barnados and Amnesty two "charities" I will not be giving a cent to.

It is becoming harder to shop now with people at the doors trying to stop you or worse people at the tills begging. I refuse to give them anything as I have my own way of sorting out donations and will not give to any charity without first researching the pay levels of staff working for the charity.

I also prefer to ignore sports, cultural or other non essential charities, why should I subsidise someone elses hobby when they don't subsidise mine?

Lextalionis13

Not lived in Galway for about a year and a half, been back for the day once - they really do spoil Shop Street. It's one thing when they sort of approach and you ignore/say no thanks and they leave you, but they seemed to start shipping down really Billy-Barry kid types who'd try to be funny and start literally grabbing at you from Dublin or somewhere.

ben.schlomo

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

Not lived in Galway for about a year and a half, been back for the day once - they really do spoil Shop Street. It's one thing when they sort of approach and you ignore/say no thanks and they leave you, but they seemed to start shipping down really Billy-Barry kid types who'd try to be funny and start literally grabbing at you from Dublin or somewhere.

Never once had this happen and i live in the city centre.

Mrs OBumble

Squeeonline wrote: »

They want me to sign up with a monthly direct debit. Yeah, I feel really comfortable with giving some randomer on the street my bank details....

If you ever have some time to kill in town, it's entertaining to let one of them give you the full speil, make them think you're interested ... and then when they're about to sign you up say "Oh, but I don''t have a bank account, is that a problem?" The look on their face can be priceless.

I don't usually encourage picking on low-paid workers, they're just average people like the rest of us, trying to make enough to pay the rent. But make an exception for chuggers doing the sign-up routines, because they know what they're getting in to.

Lextalionis13

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Never once had this happen and i live in the city centre.

Which part, the kids imported from elsewhere being intrusive or the physically grabbing bit?

pleasant Co.

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Never once had this happen and i live in the city centre.

I have, and on one occasion one of these chugger types even went so far as to pull my headphones off my head, can't say I reacted in a jovial manner.

Lextalionis13

pleasant Co. wrote: »

I have, and on one occasion one of these chugger types even went so far as to pull my headphones off my head, can't say I reacted in a jovial manner.

That's the kind of **** they pull though, someone's told them they're cheeky and charming once and it's gone to their heads - very common for chuggers to start asking people for hugs and reaching for your hand to shake it before even letting on who they are just to "lock you in" like the gullible eejit some people must be.

branie2

have the Gardai ever intervened?

Squeeonline

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

That's the kind of **** they pull though, someone's told them they're cheeky and charming once and it's gone to their heads - very common for chuggers to start asking people for hugs and reaching for your hand to shake it before even letting on who they are just to "lock you in" like the gullible eejit some people must be.

I was handed a toy once "could you hold this for a second?" Then they proceeded to talk to me as if they had made some kind of connection.

I've had others recognise me like friends, and the clueless person I am thought it was someone I had just forgotten about. Then I see the small ID at their belts, and move on.

They used to be highly visible, all wearing the same bright coloured tshirts but now they blend in.

Stealthfins

Turn the tables on them.
Tell them you're broke and need a fiver to get some bread eggs and milk.

I did that once,you should see their reaction lol

tightropetom

If they ask "Can I talk to you for a second?", just reply "You already have."

If they persist - you could try this approach: (warning NSFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdHZPKPUB8

FouxDaFaFa

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

There's also the problem of scam collectors. I called the guards about a woman who was pretending to be deaf and collecting for a charity that does not do collections in Galway. They didn't really care.

They're Romas.

I was in Berlin last year and it was pretty rife over there among their younger population.

Same crap, pretend they cant talk and having a clipboard with donations wrote out.

Wasn't back a week before I saw them at it here, saw one at it again lately but that was the first time in a year.

I guess its a summer season scam, get the unwitting tourists.

The ones I really hate are those scummy lads you get collecting cash in buckets etc...
That should be outright illegal, as if the charities get anything from those lads.
They make me sick.
I spend a bit of time in Athlone and its even more rife with those sorts.
All done by lads you'd expect to see outside a court, don't even present themselves as decent citizens(tracksuits etc).

pmasterson95

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

Not lived in Galway for about a year and a half, been back for the day once - they really do spoil Shop Street. It's one thing when they sort of approach and you ignore/say no thanks and they leave you, but they seemed to start shipping down really Billy-Barry kid types who'd try to be funny and start literally grabbing at you from Dublin or somewhere.

pleasant Co. wrote: »

I have, and on one occasion one of these chugger types even went so far as to pull my headphones off my head, can't say I reacted in a jovial manner.

Should just smile politely and tell them that if they dare grab your arm to restrain you and prevent you moving away from them or if they try to grab at your possesions again would they like to face assault charges.

c_man

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Why? Wheres the need. Person asks other person for support, other person says no thanks, everyone gets on with their lives.

Balls to that. If it were private companies/corporations begging and harassing people on Shop St. to level that "charities" do it'd be clamped down on quick as. And I reckon half the defenders here would be the first in line writing a letter of outrage to the Advertiser.

If you think the likes of the lung cancer "charity" collectors outside the likes of Debenhams and Treasure Chest are well meaning, independent people looking to help their fellow man then well there's not much hope for you imo.

Lextalionis13

c_man wrote: »

Balls to that. If it were private companies/corporations begging and harassing people on Shop St. to level that "charities" do it'd be clamped down on quick as. And I reckon half the defenders here would be the first in line writing a letter of outrage to the Advertiser.

If you think the likes of the lung cancer "charity" collectors outside the likes of Debenhams and Treasure Chest are well meaning, independent people looking to help their fellow man then well there's not much hope for you imo.

The lads that used to be outside Treasure Chest were pure scum - they used set up directly opposite each other so you couldn't walk behind them and both would yell at you. Used see and hear of them just walking into shops spending money straight out of the collection for Big Macs and coffees too.

ben.schlomo

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

The lads that used to be outside Treasure Chest were pure scum - they used set up directly opposite each other so you couldn't walk behind them and both would yell at you. Used see and hear of them just walking into shops spending money straight out of the collection for Big Macs and coffees too.

As someone who walks up through Edward square almost every day of the week I can't say I've ever been yelled at by those chaps or stopped from walking behind or past them.They will ask you to support but as above a simple no or ignore them works, try it sometime, might make your life easier.

Mrs OBumble

ben.schlomo wrote: »

a simple no or ignore them works, try it sometime, might make your life easier.

This.

Some people seem to have a problem saying no, and these lads can sniff it it.

whupdedo

I blank them usually , it's not that hard, just stare straight ahead and keep waking , once you get 5 yards from them they've already forgotten what you look like

If that doesn't work just tell them to **** off , while not being overly aggressive , that always works

Lextalionis13

ben.schlomo wrote: »

As someone who walks up through Edward square almost every day of the week I can't say I've ever been yelled at by those chaps or stopped from walking behind or past them.They will ask you to support but as above a simple no or ignore them works, try it sometime, might make your life easier.

You seem to be taking it very personally that other people have been harassed by chuggers - just because you haven't doesn't make everyone a liar

I lived in Galway for ~5 years, chuggers were there on Shop Street all the time and were always intrusive, I live abroad now in an urban area and it's the same craic with chirpy happy clappy wasters out shaking buckets for a % of the take pretending to be your best mate and being offended when you ignore them

If you hadn't clocked, there's huge money in it for "marketing agencies" that get college dropouts out doing it, last I lived in Ireland a year and a half ago we had a woman knock on the door for two minutes solid despite us ignoring her, came to the door and she shat a brick because she was afraid of dogs when mine walked out past her into the garden.

She was with Dog's Trust /facepalm

ben.schlomo

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

You seem to be taking it very personally that other people have been harassed by chuggers - just because you haven't doesn't make everyone a liar

I lived in Galway for ~5 years, chuggers were there on Shop Street all the time and were always intrusive, I live abroad now in an urban area and it's the same craic with chirpy happy clappy wasters out shaking buckets for a % of the take pretending to be your best mate and being offended when you ignore them

If you hadn't clocked, there's huge money in it for "marketing agencies" that get college dropouts out doing it, last I lived in Ireland a year and a half ago we had a woman knock on the door for two minutes solid despite us ignoring her, came to the door and she shat a brick because she was afraid of dogs when mine walked out past her into the garden.

She was with Dog's Trust /facepalm

I'm fully aware of what they do and how they make money, that's nowt to do with people whingeing about not being able to walk past them and random accusations of being shouted at by them.No personal gripe for me, just disagree with some of the more hysterical claims about tactics employed by some of them.

Lextalionis13

ben.schlomo wrote: »

I'm fully aware of what they do and how they make money, that's nowt to do with people whingeing about not being able to walk past them and random accusations of being shouted at by them.No personal gripe for me, just disagree with some of the more hysterical claims about tactics employed by some of them.

I wouldn't call replying to a thread with relevant anecdotes whinging. "Random" accusations are hardly random when on-topic either, where are you getting random from? Hysterical is really an overstatement, people literally posted what their experience with the topic has been. Had a tough day or something? lol

ben.schlomo

Lextalionis13 wrote: »

I wouldn't call replying to a thread with relevant anecdotes whinging. "Random" accusations are hardly random when on-topic either, where are you getting random from? Hysterical is really an overstatement, people literally posted what their experience with the topic has been. Had a tough day or something? lol

Ah yes throw a lol in there to back up and add to your points. We will agree to disagree on the issue. I'm not interested in a back and forth involving three letter buzzwords.

nuac

I find it works to say in an earnest tone

"Tell me son/daughter, have you found Jesus"?

Lextalionis13

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Ah yes throw a lol in there to back up and add to your points. We will agree to disagree on the issue. I'm not interested in a back and forth involving three letter buzzwords.

I wouldn't call it a back and forth involving three letter buzzwords, considering you're the one who used "whinging", "random", and "hysterical" - I think the charges of buzzwording lie with you alone. You've conveniently decided to start trying to argue ad hominem and make out I'm the issue when I've pointed out on every count how you're just disputing other people's experiences based on "I find that hard to believe because I haven't experienced it". I'm unsubbing from the thread as well, I don't want to trigger anyone with my nasty text indicators of laughter

Lextalionis13

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Ah yes throw a lol in there to back up and add to your points. We will agree to disagree on the issue. I'm not interested in a back and forth involving three letter buzzwords.

I wouldn't call it a back and forth involving three letter buzzwords, considering you're the one who used "whinging", "random", and "hysterical" - I think the charges of buzzwording lie with you alone. You've conveniently decided to start trying to argue ad hominem and make out I'm the issue when I've pointed out on every count how you're just disputing other people's experiences based on "I find that hard to believe because I haven't experienced it". I'm unsubbing from the thread as well, I don't want to trigger anyone with my nasty text indicators of laughter

tldr there are multitudes of chuggers in Galway, they are obnoxious and they don't always respect your ignoring them/saying no, deal with it

Mrs OBumble

nuac wrote: »

I find it works to say in an earnest tone

"Tell me son/daughter, have you found Jesus"?

Yes, that can be fun too.

But it breaks the fundamental rule: don't make eye contact, don't engage. The second you do more than say "no" and keep walking, they've gotten into your space. And that's when you'll find them obnoxious.

Whereisgalway

Load of collecting for 'concern' all around this week. The dogs trust collectors seem to have a stand and generally position themselves around, how come all charities/collectors cant do that?

Crumbs868

Whereisgalway wrote: »

Load of collecting for 'concern' all around this week. The dogs trust collectors seem to have a stand and generally position themselves around, how come all charities/collectors cant do that?

I think concern are not a patch on the Hanley centre who usually have mega aggressive collectors preying on the weak - yes there are some people who are weak and vulnerable in society and will struggle to reject these type of intimidating collection strategies , we need to accept this and protect these people and not be so almighty about it. Just because you can get the better of these type doesn't make what they are doing okay.

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/addiction-charity-nothing-short-of-criminal-says-judge-29292524.html

FallSilently

I like to make a game of it. See the chuggers from down the street, sort-of fall into step close to another pedestrian going the same way as me and gently, subconsciously guide them towards the chugger. Bang, they get caught, I walk by unbothered.

biko

I'd love to make some charity up and pester those chuggers with my clipboard for a full weekend.

jcd5971

collection for blind in limerick last summer, chugger ambushes me , but i politely explained i was broke and moved on, yer man shouts after me "do you not care about the blind" now pissed off i turned around and said "now that you mention it i hate the bastards driving up the cost of labradors for the rest of us" and proceeded to follow him up the street and down again from 20 mins giving out about the blind. he had no idea what to do, eventually a garda walking the street was summoned over, and yer man complained me.
the best bit is the garda just smiled and walked off the chuger was furious. Ruining his day made me feel good about myself.
went into supermacs for a burger before going home and the chaps on counter were laughing saing it was hilarious to give him a taste of his own medicene.

Squeeonline

biko wrote: »

I'd love to make some charity up and pester those chuggers with my clipboard for a full weekend.

The punishment fits the crime.

A new circle of hell.

Whereisgalway

amnesty Back on the streets with there passive aggressive tactics. Ask one of em today when they stopped me abt excessive pay off fees paid to former seniors managers. He smugly told me it was all fabrications, think he's gone home to think about his life after I pull up the data on my phone!!