Mugged at The Self Check Out!

@Louc74 (620)
November 20, 2010 3:12pm CST
I popped into Tesco today, to get just a couple of items. The place was absolutely packed, it being a Saturday, so I wanted to get in and out as soon as possible. When I went to the self check out, I noticed that there were boys in football kits bagging up customers groceries at the normal check outs, and I was glad I didn't have to go through. I totally disagree with that form of fundraising - I think it's an individual choice whether or not to give your money to a particular charity, and I think bagging at checkouts puts people under undue pressure to give money. Then I spotted a woman watching me, clutching a collection bucket with the football team colours on it. She was waiting for me to finish at the check out. When I was done, I went to walk out of the store, and she jumped in front of me, barring my way out of the store! "We're collecting to send the football team to Europe (where does she think she is at the moment exactly?!?)" I told her no, thanks, I couldn't afford a foreign holiday myself! Then I went to walk past again. Again she stepped in front of me, preventing me getting away! I was really angry, but more than that, I felt like I had no choice but to get my money out. I put some money in her box, and she didn't even have the courtesy to say thanks. I walked out of the shop feeling like I had been mugged! Now, I volunteer for a charity, and I donate regularly to two charities that I feel strongly about. I got to choose whether or not to give to them! But if a group of parents want their children to go on a foreign holiday, why should the rest of the town pay for it? The football team fundraises like this at least once a year, so those boys are having a holiday that's all paid for. I don't consider this a good cause, particularly when I see all the suffering in the world. Some people may wish to give, but I strongly believe that these people should have respect for our right to decide for ourselves. What do you think of this kind of "fund raising"? Do you think it puts undue pressure on people and takes away their right to choose?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@jb78000 (15139)
20 Nov 10
i think you should complain to tescos. i don't mind a couple of can rattlers standing around, if they aren't pushy and it is for a good cause. however sending a bunch of brats to europe doesn't qualify as a good cause in my book and this woman was well out of order. go and shop and lidl instead. also they are cheaper.
@Louc74 (620)
9 Dec 10
I had sent a complaint to them via email (takes some doing, tracking down the complaints email addy!), and eventually got a response advising that they had no responsibility. I responded, saying that they had to accept responsibility for allowing this harassment of their customers - they wouldn't be able to collect if Tesco didn't allow it. Their reply was much of the same, so I just advised that I would be choosing to spend my money in one of their competitors shops from now on. Totally agree with you - they should pay for their own kids hols. The way I feel about them now, it'd be better if it were a one way ticket!
• United States
20 Nov 10
Amazing that you got the time to do all these things today. I feel badly that such a person would take money from you to spend on their kids vacations. Its not a charity, and they are disusing the funds collected. In fact the parents should be ashamed of the begging and money taking they're doing. Its a wasted cause and will pretty much make the kids moral reasoning worse. What you're choosing to donate for will allow you to help fund charities of need. I think such money picking should be regulated.
@Louc74 (620)
9 Dec 10
Hiya. No, I don't think it's a charitable cause either, and if it were me, I'd be utterly ashamed to be asking everyone else to pay for my kids holiday. I'll have my answer ready next time though! Lol!
• United States
22 Aug 12
Wow I really don't think that's fair at all. That's almost harassment! I would of considered contacting the head of that group, contacting the grocery store manager/owner, and even the police. I hope you've informed others at the time not to patron there as long as that group is there. I know in the past my work had done that but that was before my time where during the holidays they'd have groups bag for tips.