Chuggers Options

[Blake]

I see a series of London boroughs are finally cracking down on the nightmare of the chuggers or charity muggers on our shopping high streets.

These bright-bibed nightmares have been a plague on Newbury for many years now. I have even seen them using the bridge into Northbrook Street as a choke point to harass everyone who came into the road. As if any sane person would give out their bank details to a total stranger in the street anyway. Furthermore, most of us abhor the way they are so persistent and aggressive with their chase you down the street approach. They have even been known to plague people inside shops. They are an outrageous menace.

Even worse are the churglers who knock at your door. I have even seen them return over and over to homes that do not answer to them. They are the worst.

IT'S HIGH TIME WE HAD THEM BANNED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

Quite agree. Most of us who want to give to charity do so with a d/d that we have set up from our own bank or directly from salary. You should not be harrassed by people. It's akin to blackmail on some good minded souls.

[Cognosco]

I see a series of London boroughs are finally cracking down on the nightmare of the chuggers or charity muggers on our shopping high streets.

These bright-bibed nightmares have been a plague on Newbury for many years now. I have even seen them using the bridge into Northbrook Street as a choke point to harass everyone who came into the road. As if any sane person would give out their bank details to a total stranger in the street anyway. Furthermore, most of us abhor the way they are so persistent and aggressive with their chase you down the street approach. They have even been known to plague people inside shops. They are an outrageous menace.

Even worse are the churglers who knock at your door. I have even seen them return over and over to homes that do not answer to them. They are the worst.

IT'S HIGH TIME WE HAD THEM BANNED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Obviously people must do or they would not be doing it!

I just say not thanks and keep walking just ignore them after that.

[dannyboy]

I have had some great dates thanks to chatting up the cute female chuggers.

[Cognosco]

I have had some great dates thanks to chatting up the cute female chuggers.

Before or after giving your bank details?

[TallDarkAndHands...]

Before or after giving your bank details?

Is that not the oldest form of work??

[GMR]

I've seen a few people cycling - including myself - when they jump out in front of you.

[NWNREADER]

Few realise how much money goes to the collector agency before the charity gets a penny.......

[GMR]

Few realise how much money goes to the collector agency before the charity gets a penny.......

Exactly.... that is why most people don't give to them... or others.

[dannyboy]

Before or after giving your bank details?

I could not possibly divulge my secrets. Let's call it 'being on a promise'

[Cognosco]

I could not possibly divulge my secrets. Let's call it 'being on a promise'

In other words you are doing it for charity? What a kind soul you are?

[dannyboy]

In other words you are doing it for charity? What a kind soul you are?

Why do you charge then?

[GrumblingAgain]

IT'S HIGH TIME WE HAD THEM BANNED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

I don't really understand - when I encounter chuggers in Newbury or anywhere else, a simple "no thanks" whilst carrying on walking does the trick. Doesn't need legislation, doesn't need parliamentary time, doesn't need a debate, doesn't need new laws, you just ignore them, either politely, or if they don't understand the first time, with a firmer "get lost". Unless of course we really need to wrap ourselves in another layer of cotton wool and expect the state to take even more tax payer money from us to help us out yet again.

[Cognosco]

Why do you charge then?

I would if I could find someone to pay?

[Biker1]

A good tip to avoid chuggers..........

If you see them in the distance, get out your mobile phone and pretend you are on a call................they will not bother you.

[blackdog]

A good tip to irritate chuggers - spend half an hour chatting to them, listen to their spiel etc - then walk away without signing up.

[Jacklets]

The thing that annoys me the most about them is their method for trying to engage people - they can often be overly friendly and make some quite personal comments or resort to flattery in an attempt to start the conversation. I did find one guys opening remark a couple of years ago to be really inappropriate and regretted not making a note of the charity he was supposed to be representing and complaining. I wouldn't mind so much if they politely asked if I have time to talk.

But guess there must be a lot of mugs falling for the chat, otherwise they wouldn't be doing it.

[GhostInShadow]

To save all the above hassle, just tell them that you don't have a British bank account! They can only take Direct Debits from British accounts. As soon as you tell them you don't have one, they can't wait to get shot of you! THAT, is the time to stand and talk to them and turn the tables!!

Also; When you get those annoying sales phone calls at home, tell them you are renting privately! Sometimes, you'll hear the dialling tone before you finish telling them!!

Now, go out there and turn the tables on those pesky Chuggers!!

[JeffG]

I had one charity on the phone the other day. Now that is really annoying. Since they are not actually trying to sell you anything (apart from a monthly direct debit) it's hard to put the phone down on them.

[GrumblingAgain]

I had one charity on the phone the other day. Now that is really annoying. Since they are not actually trying to sell you anything (apart from a monthly direct debit) it's hard to put the phone down on them.

"I am not interested, thank you, goodbye." Click.

Job done.