|
|
Checkout charity - do you donate at the register?
10-11-2013, 01:51 PM
|
#1
|
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 6,161
|
Checkout charity - do you donate at the register?
Small rant alert:
Yesterday I was checking out at the grocery store. The little card swiper machine always prompts me to to donate to some thing or other and I always decline but after even after this (partway through the transaction) the cashier asked me if I'd make a donation to support breast cancer research.
I HATE these checkout charity solicitations! I responded politely, simply saying no thanks and the woman in line behind me interrupted and said - "I'll donate for both of us; I'm a survivor". Made me feel like a heal!
I'm not opposed to breast cancer research (or other causes), I give what I can to various organizations and donate time and services to others but I want to be able to make those choices after vetting the organization and yes, I admit, I take the tax break when ever possible. I wonder if the store soliciting these donations takes that break as well or takes a cut of the donations to manage the funds....
Do you donate when asked this way? Any thoughts about this? Am I the only person that thinks that corporate sanctioned register solicitations rot?
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
10-11-2013, 01:56 PM
|
#2
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 13,566
|
I never do it. Hate when they ask. And that woman was a jerk, her survivor status notwithstanding, to try to make you feel bad.
__________________
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching.”
Gerard Arthur Way
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 02:03 PM
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,890
|
I go to the grocery store almost everyday and get asked to give every single time. It's getting ridiculous. I feel bad for the poor folks manning the registers and who are obligated by their employer to beg for money. No wonder they look so miserable.
But to answer your question, I might give once for a specific cause -if I care at all about it- but that's it. I'm not going to give every time I visit the damn grocery store.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 02:09 PM
|
#4
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 307
|
No, I never donate to any solicitation. I find the charities/causes I will support, I don't allow them to find me. Unless they have thin mints. I'm a sucker for thin mints.
__________________
Retired Jan 2014 at 48.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 02:14 PM
|
#5
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,290
|
gozer articulated my position very well. Including the thin mints.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 02:15 PM
|
#6
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,518
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah in SC
I never do it. Hate when they ask. And that woman was a jerk, her survivor status notwithstanding, to try to make you feel bad.
|
+1
If they record the donation on the sales receipt it would be yours for tax purposes. If it's not on the receipt, they are taking it for you.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:04 PM
|
#7
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,806
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt34
gozer articulated my position very well. Including the thin mints.
|
Especially the Thin Mints!
Like others, I hate these solicitations. I donate to the charities I choose, and I keep those to a minimum number, rather than spread it out and get two dozen different mailings. I hate the implication and coercion at the register. I'm always polite to the cashier, but one day I might just ask to talk to the manager.
Though I wouldn't have had the presence of mind, I would have liked to tell that lady " I'm so glad you survived your cancer! I have some charities that I donate to that are very important to me and my family, let me give you the names, and you can write out some checks and I'll deliver them for you. They'll be so pleased with your thoughtful donation!"
-ERD50
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:10 PM
|
#8
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,290
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
Though I wouldn't have had the presence of mind, I would have liked to tell that lady " I'm so glad you survived your cancer! I have some charities that I donate to that are very important to me and my family, let me give you the names, and you can write out some checks and I'll deliver them for you. They'll be so pleased with your thoughtful donation!"
-ERD50
|
Yeah, we need that thread "Comebacks I wish I had thought of at the time"
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:12 PM
|
#9
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 728
|
Never...............I hate it!!!!!!
I do feel sorry for the cashier but that doesn't change how I feel. I also HATE the beggars standing outside the stores and on street corners. I'm surprised that other people role down their windows and make donations.
Don't get me wrong........we make substantial charitable donations, always taking the tax deduction. But......being embarrased to make a donation turns me off......always.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:15 PM
|
#10
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
|
I love ERD50's response! But I am never tempted. I am an INTJ and do not respond to social harassment. Any charity to which I donate must have a cost effective business model and must issue me a tax receipt. Period.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:44 PM
|
#11
|
Administrator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: N. Yorkshire
Posts: 34,021
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah in SC
I never do it. Hate when they ask. And that woman was a jerk, her survivor status notwithstanding, to try to make you feel bad.
|
Same here, and I do feel sorry for the cashiers who are probably required to ask out loud.
__________________
Retired in Jan, 2010 at 55, moved to England in May 2016
Enough private pension and SS income to cover all needs
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:51 PM
|
#12
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 17,773
|
You could just say "I already donate to charities" when asked that question (other responses come to mind for the next in line survivor person, but karma is a b*tch and I don't want to tempt her).
Yesterday, today, and probably tomorrow too a service club is slowing traffic in our area collecting cash. At the major stop signs (not lights). During rush hour. When traffic is already bad. And I already put a few dollars into their cans at Walgreens this morning. Grrrrrrr.
__________________
“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 03:53 PM
|
#13
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: irradiated - too close to the nuclear furnace
Posts: 1,294
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janet H
I responded politely, simply saying no thanks and the woman in line behind me interrupted and said - "I'll donate for both of us; I'm a survivor". Made me feel like a heal!
|
Janet that was terrible. Whether she meant to or not she made you feel like a cheap SOB. VERY rude IMO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERD50
Though I wouldn't have had the presence of mind, I would have liked to tell that lady " I'm so glad you survived your cancer! I have some charities that I donate to that are very important to me and my family, let me give you the names, and you can write out some checks and I'll deliver them for you. They'll be so pleased with your thoughtful donation!"
-ERD50
|
Excellent come back but as you said when caught in that situation it's hard to think quickly with such a great reply!
No I only donate to veteran's charities.
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 04:17 PM
|
#14
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,679
|
I would not have felt bad after the survivor said what she said. I'd have just smiled and said, "Be my guest."
No way I'd give money like that and thankfully I have not encountered anything like that in a long time. Other than liking thin mints (which I don't), I agree with the rest of you.
__________________
Retired in late 2008 at age 45. Cashed in company stock, bought a lot of shares in a big bond fund and am living nicely off its dividends. IRA, SS, and a pension await me at age 60 and later. No kids, no debts.
"I want my money working for me instead of me working for my money!"
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 07:40 PM
|
#15
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,795
|
Agree 100% with Janet H. I rarely donate to these cash-box solicitations.....'though I have a soft spot for the traditional Salvation Army Christmas kettles.
Almost all my charitable donations are by check (or CC) to organizations I've checked out for efficiency and integrity. Tax-deduction allows me to give more $$ for same personal net cost. It's a tax incentive the US gov't provides, so why not use it? And I always try to donate to charities which are very efficient for the cause. I REFUSE to feel guilty for NOT giving to a high-overhead charity. It's all about getting your cause the most bang for your donated buck, and the extra good work that efficiency can yield.
Time for Charities to Face the Facts: Efficiency Matters : Charity Navigator
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 10:04 PM
|
#16
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Columbus
Posts: 1,118
|
I feel the same way as the OP and many others here. I donate a considerable amount to a carefully chosen few, and don't mind helping scouts or similar kids going door to door, but its not the time or place to "spring" a donation request on anyone when they had another purpose and set amount to spend in mind when they left home to make a purchase. If it gets too bad, I might start avoiding stores that tend to partner with this combined charity shopping scheme.
We could call their tactic " chopping".
....... And in turn "chop" their store brand right off our list of preferred sellers until they stop.
__________________
Ohio REFI PE ENG and Investor as of 2016
|
|
|
10-11-2013, 10:22 PM
|
#17
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
|
I work a retail, seasonal job from Thanksgiving to Christmas, at "the" high-end kitchenware store. We have to ask for contributions to a charity. Don't worry, it doesn't make me miserable to ask, and I don't care if you say yes or no. But we do have to ask everyone.
|
|
|
10-12-2013, 05:18 AM
|
#18
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 3,871
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB
+1
If they record the donation on the sales receipt it would be yours for tax purposes. If it's not on the receipt, they are taking it for you.
|
Do you imply the business is taking the tax deduction ? If true that is pretty darn low and downright unethical, if not illegal.
__________________
Earning money is an action, saving money is a behavior, growing money takes a well diversified portfolio and the discipline to ignore market swings.
|
|
|
10-12-2013, 05:34 AM
|
#19
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Columbus
Posts: 1,118
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by frayne
Do you imply the business is taking the tax deduction ? If true that is pretty darn low and downright unethical, if not illegal.
|
Not really. You just aren't being old the entire pitch. It's like this " would you like to donate x to this charity and we will consolidate the donations into y and make it in our behalf ". They probably consider it a win win win.
__________________
Ohio REFI PE ENG and Investor as of 2016
|
|
|
10-12-2013, 05:44 AM
|
#20
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,098
|
I just smile and say "not today, thank you".
I'm noticing that they tend to ask us "older" folks more than others, perhaps because we are perceived as more likely to give.
__________________
FIREd date: June 26, 2018 - "This Happy Feeling, Going Round and Round!" (GQ)
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|