When did cashiers become solicitors for charities

[thedarkwolf]

Back in the 90s I was a cashier for Kroger and we were doing it way back then. I always felt like an asshole asking people and the store didn't force us so I didn't. If a customer asked me if they could donate which did happen occasionally I'd do it. When we were doing these charity drives we would sign a card that represented the charity and hang it in the front window. It encouraged more customers to donate and the cashier that collected the most got some crappy prize.

 

[DigDog]

"I'll donate only if you match my donation"
This usually shuts them up.

^this

 

[IBMJunkman]

I am tired of Target cashiers asking if I have a red card and would I like to apply for one.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I am tired of Target cashiers asking if I have a red card and would I like to apply for one.

That's another thing that's anoying why does every freaking store have to have their own special card. I don't want to have to carry a billion different cards all the time. I don't even have Air Miles. Suppose I should since at least it's fairly well universally used, but just something I never think of actually applying for, and think the points expire anyway. I also wonder if there is some kind of catch to these cards, like if they sell your information or something. Well, they probably sell it anyway.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

There is a way to train businesses to stop this shit. When ringing up at the register when the total is given and asked, just tell them you are not interested in being solicited like junk mail and Spam calls and leave without buying.

Fuck them, their families, and their future trolling bastards.

 

[mafia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xwLWb0lLY this is why I don't donate. The stores/farmers etc.. could easily prevent hunger if they wanted to.

 

[Nashemon]

That's another thing that's anoying why does every freaking store have to have their own special card. I don't want to have to carry a billion different cards all the time. I don't even have Air Miles. Suppose I should since at least it's fairly well universally used, but just something I never think of actually applying for, and think the points expire anyway. I also wonder if there is some kind of catch to these cards, like if they sell your information or something. Well, they probably sell it anyway.

Working at one of these types of stores, I've learned the answer to this. It's because CC companies charge stores money every time they accept a CC payment. To offset this, stores have their own credit cards for which there is no fee per transaction. Plus they get some money for each person who applies for a card. So those signs you see in small businesses that say "$5 minimum for CC purchases" are there because the fee they charge would eat up all the profit.

 

[nakedfrog]

My general response is "Not today, thanks". Occasionally I'll go for it.

I hate that too. And if you say no then everyone will think you're some kind of heartless asshole so you have to say yes. It's usually a small amount so that makes it worse if you say no.

:lol:
If anyone thinks I'm some kind of heartless asshole, either they hide it well or I'm not very perceptive--both are entirely plausible, I concede.


Plus, sometimes I just plain am a heartless asshole, so I've got that going for me.

 

[Nashemon]

I usually donate. One week, though, it was like my third or fourth time in that grocery store in a week, I and I had to tell them no. So I just use that sometimes. "Sorry, this is my third time here this week; I can't afford to give another donation."

 

[holden j caufield]

Going to start prefacing it with the "not today" to make it seem like there are some days that I do it.

 

[KIAman]

It depends. Is the store matching the donation? Is there anything to indicate that they are more dedicated to the charity other than by soliciting customers? Does the cashier have knowledge beyond the basic understanding of the charity, their mission, how they help?

Yes? I typically make a donation.

No? Then my response is "no, I like to choose my charitable donations after careful consideration."

I usually get someone asking if I want to make a donation and say no, the store does not match, no we just ask customers to make a donation, yes it helps children.... ok, no thanks.

 

[OutHouse]

That's another thing that's anoying why does every freaking store have to have their own special card. I don't want to have to carry a billion different cards all the time. I don't even have Air Miles. Suppose I should since at least it's fairly well universally used, but just something I never think of actually applying for, and think the points expire anyway. I also wonder if there is some kind of catch to these cards, like if they sell your information or something. Well, they probably sell it anyway.

my daughter worked at Khols for a while in High school. they are required to ask if you have a khols card and ask you to sign up if you dont. they have weekly sign up quotas. being "talked" to a couple of times because she didnt have enough sign ups for the week was the main reason she walked.

 

[Red Squirrel]

my daughter worked at Khols for a while in High school. they are required to ask if you have a khols card and ask you to sign up if you dont. they have weekly sign up quotas. being "talked" to a couple of times because she didnt have enough sign ups for the week was the main reason she walked.

Yeah they actually have secret shoppers that check to make sure they ask all the questions too. Sears is like that.

cash: "Would you like to put that on your Sears card?"
cust: "No that's ok, I'll put it on my debit card"
cash: "Do you have a Sears card?"
cust: "no"
cash: "Would you like to have a Sears card?"
cust: "No thanks"
cash: "But you save $5!"

 

[tcsenter]

Back since like 1942. March of Dimes and such.

 

[Zorba]

I am tired of Target cashiers asking if I have a red card and would I like to apply for one.

But don't you want to save 5% on your $10 purchase today?

 

[Zorba]

Yeah they actually have secret shoppers that check to make sure they ask all the questions too. Sears is like that.

cash: "Would you like to put that on your Sears card?"
cust: "No that's ok, I'll put it on my debit card"
cash: "Do you have a Sears card?"
cust: "no"
cash: "Would you like to have a Sears card?"
cust: "No thanks"
cash: "But you save $5!"

I basically stopped going to Sears after they started their membership crap.
Cash: "Are you a member?"
me: "No."
Cash: "Would you like to sign up?"
me: "No, thank you."
Cash: "But you get coupon and other BS."
me: "No, Thank you."
Cash: "But it is ....."
Me: "No"
Repeat 5 more times
Me: "Never mind, I'll buy my tools somewhere else."

 

[edfcmc]

yy

 

[StrangerGuy]

Just say no! In fact, just so no when anybody, anywhere asks you for money. Go home and do your own research to determine if the charity/person/entity deserves your donation. A place like www.charitynavigator.org is a good start. I did charity fraud prosecutions many years ago and have been skeptical ever since.

Same thoughts, won't bother with charities of a questionable nature when I can donate to a properly registered one and get a 300% tax rebate.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Working at one of these types of stores, I've learned the answer to this. It's because CC companies charge stores money every time they accept a CC payment. To offset this, stores have their own credit cards for which there is no fee per transaction. Plus they get some money for each person who applies for a card. So those signs you see in small businesses that say "$5 minimum for CC purchases" are there because the fee they charge would eat up all the profit.

I call this business ignorance. The cred reform act allows businesses to pass onto the consumer the transaction fees. BTW, even before the credit reform act it was coined 'operating expense'.

Can't afford to stay in business? Get the fuck out and let someone else have a try.

 

[waggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xwLWb0lLY this is why I don't donate. The stores/farmers etc.. could easily prevent hunger if they wanted to.

the farmers? how? they just grow the food. they don't transport or sell it. your anger with them is misplaced.

same for the store. what do you want them to do? give it away? many did. they got sued when people got sick.

put your anger on the lawyers and city. they could do more to prevent hunger.

 

[Jembo]

great topic OP! Maybe I'll give 1 out of 10 times; but usually only the United Way just cuz they do some good stuff for old folks.

I got in a bit of an argument the other day at the liquor board over this. Teller asks for money for Ft. McMurray; I mention that I'm from Alberta, but still decline to donate. She looks at me like I'm Scrooge, then tries to guilt me into it. I simply told her that I believe it's the Governments job to fix it. She kinda agreed in the end. End of story.

 

[kranky]

I see some of you had experiences similar to what happened to me at a GNC a few years ago (I posted it in an old thread but it fits perfectly here).

"Did you bring your Gold Card today?"
No, I don't have one.
"OK, let me sign you up. It's free and you'll save $3 on this purchase."
No thanks, don't need one.
"But you'll save $3 right now and it's free."
I understand, I don't want a card.
"I can sign you up and you don't even need to carry it. I can look you up by your phone number."
No thanks.
"Well, if you don't want to save $3, how about donating $1 to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital?"
No thanks.
"It's only a dollar."
No thanks, I just need this one item.
"If you are going to throw away $3, why not give $1 to St. Jude's?"
No thanks.
"So you think the corporation needs the $3 more than St. Jude's needs $1, I guess."
<blank stare from me>
"I mean if you are going to throw away $3, you could give some of it back to sick kids."
I. Just. Want. To. Pay. For. This. And. Be. Done. Here.
"Oooookay, then. Here you go. <heavy sarcasm>And I sure hope YOU have a v-e-r-y merry Christmas."

 

[TheGardener]

The cashiers have to ask. Part of their job. My response is "not today". I've only gotten one look from a cashier in the last decade. They really don't care, if you do or don't. They just don't want some jerk hassling them, because this customer gets a hard on over this question.

Now when the day comes that we are tracked on social media for this sort of thing, then I might have to revisit this. My 10,000 Twitter followers will likely respond, "that cheap bastard!"

I wonder when online retailers like Amazon will start asking on an interactive basis?

 

[DrPizza]

I see some of you had experiences similar to what happened to me at a GNC a few years ago (I posted it in an old thread but it fits perfectly here).<br />
<br />
&quot;Did you bring your Gold Card today?&quot;<br />
No, I don't have one.<br />
&quot;OK, let me sign you up. It's free and you'll save $3 on this purchase.&quot;<br />
No thanks, don't need one.<br />
&quot;But you'll save $3 right now and it's free.&quot;<br />
I understand, I don't want a card.<br />
&quot;I can sign you up and you don't even need to carry it. I can look you up by your phone number.&quot;<br />
No thanks.<br />
&quot;Well, if you don't want to save $3, how about donating $1 to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital?&quot;<br />
No thanks.<br />
&quot;It's only a dollar.&quot;<br />
No thanks, I just need this one item.<br />
&quot;If you are going to throw away $3, why not give $1 to St. Jude's?&quot;<br />
No thanks.<br />
&quot;So you think the corporation needs the $3 more than St. Jude's needs $1, I guess.&quot;<br />
&lt;blank stare from me&gt;<br />
&quot;I mean if you are going to throw away $3, you could give some of it back to sick kids.&quot;<br />
I. Just. Want. To. Pay. For. This. And. Be. Done. Here.<br />
&quot;Oooookay, then. Here you go. &lt;heavy sarcasm&gt;And I sure hope YOU have a v-e-r-y merry Christmas.&quot;

<br />
<br />
Let them sign you up - give an obviously fake name and information. &quot; What's wrong with that phone number? Don't tell me you've already got 1234567890. Next time I come in, I'll remember the number and you can look it up and find Scroty McBoogerballs.&quot; Oh? I'll miss out on advertising with a fake email? I DON'T WANT YOUR SPAM."

 

[BurnItDwn]

I usually don't donate much other than helping family members, but, when I do donate to "proper" charities I don't let a casheer decide which ones are worth it.
#1 is always Shriners Childrens Hospital
#2 is always the local food bank