Inspired by "People begging for money":Anyone else hate being ambushed at the store?

[LindsayDunn228]

It seems like every time I go grocery shopping it happens. Both entrances to the store are stationed by people/children selling something or doing a carwash. They literally block you from going in the store. I politely say, "no thanks," and go on my way.

THEN on my way out, they are after me again. I just turned them down not 5 minutes ago. And no, I don't say this to them, just say, "no, thanks," again.

All I want are my groceries. It just gets annoying to be ambushed every time I go. It's funny, we've tried going different days and different hours and it seems like someone is always there.

Anyone else hate being ambushed??

 

[Marseeya]

UGH! I posted about this at Christmas. It really drives me nuts, because it seems as if everyone has their hands out. We can't go to the bank, restaurant, drug store, or pet store without someone asking if we want to donate $1 or $5. My answer is always, "Sorry, no," but I have to listen to "But it's for X charity!" We give very generously in larger lump sums and I'd rather do it that way than give small amounts here and there to charities I don't care to support for whatever reason.

 

[chyam]

Add me to this list too. Just recently it was the girl scouts, now don't get me wrong (I was a girl scout and I always buy cookies but.....) at $3.50 a box and about 16 cookies per box I don't buy as many as I used to. And here at my grocery they patrol the in and out exit and make you feel bad if you don't buy any not knowing that you already had!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I will donate on Veterans Day but I don't feel obligated to help every AAU baseball team travel to tournaments.

Lori

 

[In a hurry]

I guess that it sometimes bothers me. How's that for indecisive! If I have a buck, and the 4-H'ers are selling chocolate, I will pick one up, if asked nicely. I like to support youth activities that keep kids busy with something other than alcohol, drugs or sex!

OTOH, if they are rude, or pushy, I tell them (nicely) esp. if I have had themin one of my classes. And I don't buy!

 

[GoofieRuthie]

YES!! I hate it too. I don't mind giving money on my own but I hate to be approached for it. The girl scouts have been at EVERY store in town lately. Now that the weather is warming up, the church bake sales and school car washes will start. I too just say no thanks and keep walking.

On a side note, I won't even do the school fundraisers they send home for my kids to sell. I hate asking people to buy way overpriced stuff that they don't want or need.

 

[RobinMarie]

We sold candy bars when I was a member of the civic group. Each year their fundraiser was to sell them outside of a grocery store. It was cold. My feet were freezing by the end of my three hour shift.

It wasn't a very positive experience. People say the rudest things. There were a lot of very generous people but not enough to say the experience was a good one.

I support most groups who are near the grocery store. I'll buy candy, give money, cookies, you name it.

 

[MsDisney23]

DH just went to Wal-Mart yesterday and that is just what he was complaining about when he got home!

 

[VSL]

Ugh, chuggers.

Charity Muggers.

 

[phorsenuf]

It doesn't bother me any. If I'm not interested I just say "no thank you" and go on my way. No big deal.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Ugh, chuggers.

Charity Muggers.

I HAVE to remember that one

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

It doesnt bother me. If it for a good cause, and I do not want whatever product they are selling, I just hand over a couple of bucks.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Let me clarify a bit. There are plenty of polite folks out there selling things. I'm talking about the rude, pushy ones who will not take no for an answer.

 

[Marseeya]

Let me clarify a bit. There are plenty of polite folks out there selling things. I'm talking about the rude, pushy ones who will not take no for an answer.

What she said.

It doesn't bother me that they are there or that they have to ask (especially clerks in grocery stores). What I don't appreciate are the eye rolls and pushiness and sarcasm. What a way to make me NEVER support your cause!

 

[phorsenuf]

Let me clarify a bit. There are plenty of polite folks out there selling things. I'm talking about the rude, pushy ones who will not take no for an answer.

Well truthfully, I've never experienced that but still I would just walk on by. There are far worse things out there to annoy me. I've been learning that lately, not to let the little things cause me stress. It's just not good for me! LOL

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Well truthfully, I've never experienced that but still I would just walk on by. There are far worse things out there to annoy me. I've been learning that lately, not to let the little things cause me stress. It's just not good for me! LOL

I don't stress over this. It's not like it ruins my whole day. This was just a vent.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

What she said.

It doesn't bother me that they are there or that they have to ask (especially clerks in grocery stores). What I don't appreciate are the eye rolls and pushiness and sarcasm. What a way to make me NEVER support your cause!

EXACTLY!!!

 

[VSL]

Where I live (Swansea, South Wales) there are people - 'chuggers' - at all the cross roads in the shopping centre (we have indoor 'mall'-like places, but it's mostly outside - they don't tend to be around supermarkets), along with lots of market researchers.

It's like an obstacle course to get through without being lynched!

Apparently, they're not allowed to chase you though, so my BF and I have been known to run the 400m or so from Topshop/Topman (clothes shop) to Waterstones (bookshop) (we're only 20/21yrs old though)

 

[KAMLEM]

I used to hate coming across people asking for money at the grocery store until I had kids, now I understand it a little more. My daughter's futsal team has made it to the Nationals in CA for three years now. Since we are in MA this is a big trip and some of the kids can't afford to go without fundraising. One of the ways that they raise funds is at the grocery stores. They make posters and decorate their cans and they stand at the entrance/exit to the stores. They are VERY polite and respectful and they know that they need to tell people to have a nice day even if they don't donate. I'm amazed at how many people will just ignore them. I don't think it takes too much to say "No thank you". There was one particular store where they went two years ago and people actually verbally attacked them. It was a horrible experience and they will never go back there. Whether you agree with it or not, these are just kids and they don't deserve to be treated like that.

 

[MsLeFever]

There's a wierd variety of chugger here in the Pittsburgh area (at least I've never seen it anywhere else)

Line up your kids at a busy intersection and have them approach cars stopped at the light! Talk about an ambush...and dangerous too.

and sometimes College kids with handmade signs about how they are raising money for kids with cancer....somehow I picture my $ buying beer that night.