Does anybody actually buy the Big Issue?
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
April 2, 2017 10:44am CST
For the benefit of all the non British members here, the Big Issue is a publication produced by a charitable organisation. Anyone who is unemployed can register with the charity and sell the magazine to the public. It is designed as a means by which a person can support theirself rather than depend on the government benefits.
I expect that many countries are likely to have some equivalent charitable organisation operating a similar scheme.
Whenever you walk around the town or city centre you will several people in different locations offering the Big Issue for sale. I usually see 2 or 3 every time I go out, but have never actually seen anyone buy a copy.
Logic decrees that copies must be sold or the practice would have ceased years ago, yet I honestly do not know a single person who has ever purchased one.
23 people like this
22 responses
@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 17
Yes I have bought one on the odd occasion. Sometimes I feel that these people are at least trying to do something to help themselves.If they are too pushy I will walk right by them but if they seem genuine then I will buy if from them.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Apr 17
@garymarsh6 I have to agree with that Gary because the majority of people on the streets begging as homeless are not genuine. Their rent is paid by Social Security and they are paid regular benefits, but beg for extra money.
I detest the fake homeless because they make life even harder for genuine needy, who just get viewed as the same.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 17
@Asylum Some of them are not there by choice sadly. I would rather give to them than just a begger who may not be what they seem.
3 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
What sort of magazine is it, like sports or cooking or what exactly?
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 It may be interesting to buy one for curiosity, but I cannot see it being worthwhile.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Apr 17
@Asylum you do know you could be missing some really cool journalism. Just saying.
3 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
2 Apr 17
They better think of something more up to date, publications are going out of style, thanks to the internet, even big newspaper publications are threatened to go out of biz, this think tanks should figure out a way that would cope with changing times
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Apr 17
@louievill According to their website the magazines are charged at £1-25 each to the vendors and sold for £2-50.If they do not sell the people who spend all day trying to sell them will not earn anything.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
2 Apr 17
@Asylum publication biz is on a down trend, perhaps some philanthropist who has nothing to do with his money is keeping it alive for charity's sake, who knows
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
2 Apr 17
We have something similar that goes on in the USA. It does help some at least feel employed and empowered.
3 people like this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
2 Jun 17
If people are reporting on the news and helping with the publishing end, they are also able to learn job skills and gain a reference that might later help them get a job. I think it's a wonderful project for any city to have, @PatAnthony.
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
I wouldn't think it would be out and available if it wasn't selling.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
@Asylum .....That's as good as any.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
3 Apr 17
I occasionally buy it and it is often interesting - I don't get it often as my own finances are limited - I had a letter published in one issue
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
4 Apr 17
@Asylum I think it''s fortnightly
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Apr 17
Here in my city I have seen many homeless people on street corners and intersections selling our local newspaper, which many people buy out of convenience. I don't know if the homeless are part of any formal selling program run through the newspaper, or if they steal all the newspapers to sell as part of a scheme, but it seems to be a productive way for the homeless to spend their time and make a little money.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Apr 17
@moffittjc Yes, without even buying anything other than what they would usually do.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Apr 17
@Asylum Plus, it makes people feel good because they feel like they are doing something to help the homeless!
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
3 Apr 17
The big city I go to sometimes has or had a similar idea. Street people, people struggling in the inner city, etc. write some of the articles/poems, etc. Other articles are written by the agencies trying to assist and support these people. People stand on street corners and sell the papers. They have to purchase them and they are sold at no set price. I have bought them, and I have seen other people buying them. I find there is always something interesting to read there. It was/is published monthly I think.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
4 Apr 17
no, i have not seen a copy of that magazine.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
5 Apr 17
@ridingbet This is usually sold on the streets by vendors.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
5 Apr 17
@Asylum i don' go to newsstands and magazine stores so i am not aware of it.
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
2 Jun 17
We had a similar newspaper operating in Montreal. I know we always bought a copy when we saw someone out selling them. But it was actually quite rare to see them. Perhaps people earned more distributing flyers or the free newspapers. We saw a lot of those at the subway stations and in the downtown core.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
3 Apr 17
If that is the only way that magazine is sold then there could be buyers.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (8261)
• United Kingdom
2 Apr 17
I do see people buying them and many are regular buyers who must feel a sense of compassion towards the sellers. I have personally bought one in the past to see what was in the paper and whether I might buy it regularly myself. Unfortunately the content wasn't interesting enough for me to buy more in the future.
As others have said, they can be a bit insistent that you should buy one, which is a reason not to.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
3 Apr 17
Why don't you buy it? I am just curious, it would seem logical that if this is to help people be self-sufficient then should be buying a copy to help out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Apr 17
We have. We bought one in Bristol. We wanted to give the guy the money but he didn't want charity so we were happy to take the paper. He was actually a West Australian from Perth who had been swindled out of his business in one of the Asian countries. I do remember he was very worried that his son might find out about his circumstances. The Big Issue is sold in Australia too. Same name, different contributors I guess. We don't buy it regularly. I've only ever seen it for sale in the capital cities.
1 person likes this
