PROFFESSIONAL BEGGING

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
SNIP

Quoted message said:

Mark pointed out you can sometimes get paid for

the doorstepping or telephone kind (I admit the latter gets to me, too
- being XD is no defence, they use automatic dialling).

I am XD and used to get calls until I registered with the TPS.

I have only had one call since that (although I believe that if it is not UK
based there is little that can be done, but it includes autodiallers).

The person on the other ende went straight into their spiel so when I could
get a word in I asked them to slow down and give me the name of the company
for who they were working and their full name and telephone number (in case
they had blacked the number), and from where the list they were using came
from and advised them that as I was registered with the TPS they were
actually breaking the law by ringing me so that I would be reporting them -
I got lots of apologies.

SNIP

DaveB

Dave said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
SNIP

Quoted message said:

Mark pointed out you can sometimes get paid for

the doorstepping or telephone kind (I admit the latter gets to me, too
- being XD is no defence, they use automatic dialling).

I am XD and used to get calls until I registered with the TPS.

I have only had one call since that (although I believe that if it is not UK
based there is little that can be done, but it includes autodiallers).

the last one tried to sell me a better TPS service when I told him;

/> urban myth
A friend of a friend was called upon by the JW's who asked if they
could come in and it would only take 20 mins, so he let them in and let
them sit in the lounge for 20 min while he went upstairs to watch
football, then came back down and said " Ok time's up, goodbye"
</ urban myth

Clive George said:

S'not that hard. I'm not at all organised, but have used CCs that way for
many years. CC bill arrives sufficiently before the DD goes away that even
if I did [censored] up and spend far too much, I could sort it out in time. But
then I do have at least an order of magnitude idea of what I'm spending - I
don't tend to forget about big transactions.

It's not the big ones, it is the little ones. 20 quid here, 30 quid
there all adds up by the end of the month..

And yes, internet banking does help there greatly.

...d

Doki said:

What he said. Never rack up a credit card bill but use it for purchase
protection.

never is a long word. Hardly ever.

Once upon a time, I had a job that involved commuting. An annual
season ticket on the train was hugely better value than any shorter
period, and also entitled me to a useful railcard. Well worth paying
creditcard interest between buying it in January and clearing it in
March.

Nowadays, the cashback is a small but worthwhile incentive.
I don't get that onna debit card.

--
not me guv

Quoted message said:

The person on the other ende went straight into their spiel so when I
could get a word in I asked them to slow down and give me the name of
the company for who they were working and their full name and
telephone number (in case they had blacked the number), and from where
the list they were using came from and advised them that as I was
registered with the TPS they were actually breaking the law by ringing
me so that I would be reporting them - I got lots of apologies.

Market researchers are still able to call people registered with the TPS,
so they weren't being too naughty.

MartinM said:

Fair comment, but are these jobs (along with all the other telephone
and doorstep cold callers) really necessary?

"really necessary" is fairly vague. Few things are but they do serve some
purpose. Market research (in theory) allows companies to properly evaluate
the worth of a given product before putting it on the market. The ones
canvassing for charity support may provide a prod for those people who are
interested and able to do something, but never have the inclination to
actually _do_ it. Essentially, it saves them the trouble of finding out
what they have to do.

Jon

On Tue, 02 May 2006 12:37:53 GMT, Mark Thompson

pleasegivegenerously@warmmail*_turn_up_the_heat_to_reply*.com said:

Quoted message said:

The person on the other ende went straight into their spiel so when I
could get a word in I asked them to slow down and give me the name of
the company for who they were working and their full name and
telephone number (in case they had blacked the number), and from where
the list they were using came from and advised them that as I was
registered with the TPS they were actually breaking the law by ringing
me so that I would be reporting them - I got lots of apologies.

Market researchers are still able to call people registered with the TPS,
so they weren't being too naughty.

"It's a survey, we're not covered by the TPS." So said the
representative of $POLITICAL PARTY who cold called me in the run up to
the last General Election. How to alienate your party from huge
swathes of the Voting Publick in one easy move. And Barwick Green was
being broadcast over the airwaves when he rang.

Tim

Tim Hall said:

And Barwick Green was
being broadcast over the airwaves when he rang.

I recall one sadly misguided young woman who knocked on my (all male)
hall of residence door trying to sell investment portfolios to students;
the knock came three minutes after kickoff of the 1987 FA Cup final.

R.

I think you don't have much experience of being hassled on the street for
your bank account details. Personally I will be stopped 2/3 times on my way
to work, 2/3 times on my way home and if I have to nip out of the office to
go and het lunch, a few times more. Five days a week by people that have
the most annoying "smug self satisfied" expressions.

Why is it the Big Issue sellers know when to back of? And the Hare Krishna
people as well? Is there something inherently non empathic about the
chuggers?

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't find this nearly as offensive as many
here seem to. A polite "no thankyou" or "sorry, but no" has worked with
every such person without recourse to rudeness or witty retorts.

Thanks, Jon, you encapsulated well what I'd been feeling about a lot of
these smug, self-satisfied posts.

I doubt we'd be so rude to people who have lousy but necessary jobs,
like refuse collectors or street cleaners. But nowadays there are so
many lousy but useless jobs (like the folk who knock on your door or
ring you up) and my reaction is - so glad it isn't me - so I try to be
polite as I slam the door/phone down.

I've collected for charity myself - for free - and was amazed how rude
folk could be about third-world poverty. We weren't being stupid by
collecting in the poorer areas.

As to market researchers, they've heard it all before. I've never done
it in the street, but if I'm bored at home I might. To the question
"how many people work at your worlplace" I once ventured "about half of
them" but apparently lots of folks crack that one. To Richard with his
£20 an hour fee, my reply would be "Oh, you must be a solicitor. Which
kind?"

You used to get street researchers, but nowadays they seem to have died
out round here (most who look like them seem to be catalogue
recruiters, or perhaps employees of the business you're using. I think
much more market research is internet-based these days) but there used
to be a worthwhile street one* where you'd be taken to some upstairs
room to "test" some new product. Once it was even beer - but I doubt
that'd be allowed nowadays since nearly everybody bloody drives (see I
knew I could get this back on topic!)

George Orwell, who did all sorts of lousy jobs, says that if you see
someone distributing handbills you should always take one to help the
person finish the job. So I always do, but once I took what I thought
was a leaflet from a Hare Krishna type, but it was a book, and he
insisted I'd "bought" it and had to pay - wouldn't take it back. I
thought this was a bit much, but you have to have some respect for folk
who give their time to a cause for nothing. Even Jehovah's Witnesses, I
guess.

Oliver

*in Liverpool, Preston or Bolton

andy said:

I think you don't have much experience of being hassled on the street for
your bank account details. Personally I will be stopped 2/3 times on my way
to work, 2/3 times on my way home and if I have to nip out of the office to
go and het lunch, a few times more. Five days a week by people that have
the most annoying "smug self satisfied" expressions.

Why is it the Big Issue sellers know when to back of? And the Hare Krishna
people as well? Is there something inherently non empathic about the
chuggers?

(top posting tsk tsk)

For me it's not the hassle factor, it's the underhand way the whole
system operates. If I see someone selling Daffodils from a tray for
Marie Curie or whatever I kind of assume that they are a volunteer and
that my donation goes straight to the charity. But seeing someone with
an Amnesty or whatever tabard on the street who is not doing the same
but is actually doing a job is wrong IMO. Last time Mrs M was stopped
by one they wouldn't even accept a cash donation.I know charities all
have overheads and that the RSPCA top brass all drive round in Jags but
there must be more honest ways of operating.

MartinM said:

For me it's not the hassle factor, it's the underhand way the whole
system operates. If I see someone selling Daffodils from a tray for
Marie Curie or whatever I kind of assume that they are a volunteer and
that my donation goes straight to the charity. But seeing someone with
an Amnesty or whatever tabard on the street who is not doing the same
but is actually doing a job is wrong IMO. Last time Mrs M was stopped
by one they wouldn't even accept a cash donation.I know charities all
have overheads and that the RSPCA top brass all drive round in Jags but
there must be more honest ways of operating.

I don't understand what is dishonest about it. At least you're not being
sold some cheap product in exchange for a donation. Someone offers a
reason for giving your money and a means that is simpler than waiting for
an envelope to arrive or seeking out a charity and method for donation.
It's neither underhand nor dishonest and perversely, the overheads of
paying two or three people the minimum wage is probably less (And
certainly less damaging to the environment) than the total costs of
distributing and collecting small paper envelopes.

Jon

andy said:

I think you don't have much experience of being hassled on the street for
your bank account details. Personally I will be stopped 2/3 times on my way
to work, 2/3 times on my way home and if I have to nip out of the office to
go and het lunch, a few times more. Five days a week by people that have
the most annoying "smug self satisfied" expressions.

If that is really the worst thing that happens to you, count yourself
lucky. You could be standing in the street holding a clipboard and trying
to convince some miserable git to part with their well-earned and knowing
that you have to stay cheerful to do it. Just say "no thanks" and walk on,
safe in the knowledge that you earn more than they do, and don't have to
be nice to people for 8hrs a day. ;-)

Quoted message said:

Why is it the Big Issue sellers know when to back of? And the Hare
Krishna people as well? Is there something inherently non empathic about
the chuggers?

Jon

andy said:

The difference with the people collecting for SUSTRANS was that they said
they had nothing to do with the various companies that hassle people on the
shopping precints, which was a lie. I had been conned into filling in the
paperwork when at the point of signing the authouristion for the standing
order I noticed the words "this fundraiser is employed by an agency".

I am not inclined to associate Sustrans Rangers with agency
collectors. I know a few of them and they are normal people who have
volunteered to promote the aims of Sustrans. Then they get roped in
to fund raising and recruiting activities.

I was also halted by the Sustrans Ranger above Blackweir on Saturday.
Although the Taff Trail is part of NCN 8. The co-ordination of the
various local authorities to create the Taff Trail was not done by
Sustrans. It was the Cynon Merthyr Groundwork Trust that drove its
creation. This Ranger seemed unaware of that is was not one of theirs
so I complained about broken glass at Ponty.

Quoted message said:

I think you don't have much experience of being hassled on the street for
your bank account details. Personally I will be stopped 2/3 times on my way
to work, 2/3 times on my way home and if I have to nip out of the office to
go and het lunch, a few times more. Five days a week by people that have
the most annoying "smug self satisfied" expressions.

Wow! I've experienced it, of course, but you must work in an area they
think is likely to be *very* productive if you really get it that
often. And I'd never give bank details to a stranger - sooner or later
someone will realise asking for that is counterproductive.

The "smug" expression is probably part of the training: "Smile! Be
Happy!". I can't imagine anyone being pleased with doing this job.

Jon Senior wrote:

, the overheads of

Quoted message said:

paying two or three people the minimum wage is probably less (And
certainly less damaging to the environment) than the total costs of
distributing and collecting small paper envelopes.

ok maybe I'm being simplistic; maybe charities don't use volunteers
anymore, but is this what it has come to? half the direct debit going
to the charity better than none.? call me old fashioned but I prefer
the paper envelopes, we delivered those for free in my day.

Tim Woodall said:

But when you have to walk past these chuggers (charity muggers) to buy
lunch every day and get accosted twice on the way to buy lunch and then
again by the same people on the way back it gets very annoying

Absolutely.

My company actually inhabits two building about 80 yards apart on a
surrey high street. On a bad day I end up walking to-and-fro a dozen
or so times. On a really bad day there is a chugger on the stretch,
and then they pretty much invariably attempt to apprehend me
_every_single_time_, even if the last time was only 3 minutes ago 'cos
I realised I left something in the other building and I've just gone
back for it.

However, I've found it sufficient to shake my head and say 'no' as
they approach - there's no need to be rude, and there are other people
that are more annoying.

Quoted message said:

(I've now learned a "don't annoy me" look and I get attacked only
about once per week)

Ah yes, vitally important time-management tool, a good scowl. I tend
to reserve it for work-mates though - it doesn't seem as effective in
the open air.

regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|

MartinM said:

ok maybe I'm being simplistic; maybe charities don't use volunteers
anymore, but is this what it has come to? half the direct debit going
to the charity better than none.? call me old fashioned but I prefer
the paper envelopes, we delivered those for free in my day.

You're old fashioned! ;-) It's also a gros simplification because the
envelopes cost money to design, print and distribute to the final
distributors and there are associated costs of collection, not least that
of actually banking the shrapnel. Compare and contrast with up-to-date
computerised records that also allow a certain amount of financial
projection.

Unless you start from the principle that charities exist solely to screw
the donators, it seems reasonable to assume that since they have
by-and-large adopted these more modern methods, they must actually work.

Jon

Jon Senior said:

Unless you start from the principle that charities exist solely to screw
the donators, it seems reasonable to assume that since they have
by-and-large adopted these more modern methods, they must actually work.

*snort* FSVO 'work'. I suspect that what has actually happened is that
a combination of very clever, very pushy 'service' providers, very
overworked staff, and very loose rein-holders, have combined to result
in charities existing solely to be screwed by 'service' providers.

R.

Jon Senior said:

You're old fashioned! ;-) It's also a gros simplification because the
envelopes cost money to design, print and distribute to the final
distributors and there are associated costs of collection, not least that
of actually banking the shrapnel. Compare and contrast with up-to-date
computerised records that also allow a certain amount of financial
projection.

Unless you start from the principle that charities exist solely to screw
the donators, it seems reasonable to assume that since they have
by-and-large adopted these more modern methods, they must actually work.

as I said I don't know much about it, what I do however know is that
2005 was a disastrous year for UK charity because of the Tsunami; that
took up most of the giving power of the public. Plus these days paper
envelopes don't cut it compared to the likes of Geldof, justgiving.com
or whatever, and BHF / Oxfam shops are fast being outdone by eBay and
cash converters. So they're moving with the times, but is it more
efficient or just trying to scrape more and more out of an increasingly
smaller (relatively) barrel?

Quoted message said:

call me old fashioned but I prefer
the paper envelopes, we delivered those for free in my day.

Might be time to start volunteering again then?