Saturday 28 November 2015

Unsolicited gifts from Charities.

If, like me, you are fed up with unsolicited gifts from various charities, especially around Christmas, please go to my yesterday's post and read the reply from Anne of The History Anorak - she works for one of these charities - who explains very clearly why such charities find it necessary to do this at Christmas.  It makes most interesting reading.

10 comments:

Heather said...

As you say, the comment about gifts from charities makes interesting reading. I am experimenting a lot at present with mixed media and so far just making a mess. If I manage to produce anything worthwhile I will put it on a blog post. I also have some unfinished things to work on so there is plenty to do on days like today which are really unpleasant outside.

Wilma said...

Well, I read Anne's comment about charities sending unsolicited gifts and strenuously object to the practice. When my Mother, a very generous and wonderful person, would receive unsolicited gifts, she felt compelled BY GUILT to donate, even though she needed to watch her expenses carefully. I think the charities are taking undue advantage of good-hearted people who really don't have enough to give and aren't even in a financial position for a tax write-off to make a difference to their financial situation. I will NEVER NEVER donate to a charity that sends unsolicited gifts, and believe me I am very philanthropic person who donates thousands of dollar yearly. I view these practices as predatory and targeted to a population that has a difficult time saying no. Anne - I hope you read this.

Tom Stephenson said...

I bin them whether I want them or not.

Rachel Phillips said...

I have not read anything else here or the history anorak or anyone else but I bin all stuff from charities together with the free pens. I give to the boys, girls, men and women on the streets in the morning when I leave the station and I chat to them which is almost worth as much to them as the money. Nobody stops to speak to beggars.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I have to agree with Wilma - the word "guilty" in Ann's response is absolutely the reason for not sending money to those who solicit it. If one is giving out of guilt it makes the experience an unpleasant memory and would tend, I think, to make someone less apt to contribute again. In the US if someone send you an unsolicited gift it is actually illegal - and you may keep the gift with no responsibility. They try it with more expensive gifts than pens and then follow up with phone calls to try and make you send in "donations" to cover the cost of the gift. A call to the local Better Business Bureau often stops them - at least in your town. They have tried it with companies too - sending reams of copier paper and such, and then try and set up an account where you have money deducted every month - at a much higher rate that you would pay at a store. You could buy the paper at a store and then have money left over to contribute to local charities. We always donate - year round - but not to those who solicit - we have researched the charities we donate too and are satisfied that they make good use of their monies.

Frances said...

I guess that I'd already guessed the economics behind the "gifts" from charities that continue to write to me.

I've got my own favorite charities and donate to them regularly, but also, like Rachel, spontaneously contribute to folks I encounter day by day.

We've just had our national Thanksgiving Day, and part of my considering what I might have to be thankful for is realizing how I might be able to help others not so blessed.

Eating turkey and so forth just doesn't feature in my Thanksgiving Day observances.

xo

Cro Magnon said...

Directly to the bin. If I want to give to a charity, I make my own choice.

Charities certainly know how to give themselves a bad reputation.

Derek Faulkner said...

I have to agree with Wilma's comments and so, by the look of it, does everybody else. I hate this form of emotional blackmail. I especially hate having to go past people rattling tins at me as I enter a supermarket.

The History Anorak said...

Pat I DO NOT work for one of "these charities" as you put it. I work for A charity and as I pointed out on my comment the one I work for doesn't send free gifts to people. What you have implied here is that the organisation I work for is unethical and unprofessional. That accusation is completely unfair and has obviously been accepted as truth by at least one person. (Wilma)

If I'd had any idea what you planned to do with the information you requested I would have ignored your question. I am VERY angry that you have used me in this way and you will no longer be welcome at my blog.

Wilma said...

My sincere apologies, Anne. Please consider my ire redirected from you toward the offending charities.