People collecting for causes outside of Walmart

[luvsJack]

I know that our Walmart does require paperwork from any group that sets up outside their doors. The only ones I am not sure about are the vetern's who are selling little lapel pin flags for 1 or 2 $, they don't usually sit by the doors but are walking around in the parking lot. I always buy their pins though and any group taking donations usually gets a $1. I don't buy stuff though.

I would assume that for most of these organizations this is the best way to get donations.

 

[ilovepcot]

I was hurrying into my local grocery store to pick up a prescription from their pharmacy department. DH had shingles and was *raving* mad with pain and I felt rushed and a bit frustrated after driving him all over town in heavy traffic to see 2 different doctors.

Anyway...2 teenage girls stepped into my path as I was hurrying into the store entrance and asked for a donation to their sports team. I replied, "I only give donations through my church" and kept walking. Just as I passed them I heard in a *mocking* voice, "I only give to my church"! I wheeled around in a flash and quickly walked to the girl who said that and asked, "What did you just say"???!!!!! She teared up and couldn't even answer...the other girl's face had totally drained of color. I glared at her for a moment and went on into the store. When I left, they were gone. Gee...I've always wondered why I scared them so.

 

[waltskids]

All of our local stores have 'peddlers' too. It's really annoying and DH and I will just say 'no thank you' when we pass by. What really bothers me is the little league, midget football, cheerleading, etc. When local fire/EMS/rescue does coin drops we will often give since you never know if you will need their services in the town you are in (and many of them in our area do not receive state or federal funds). But why would I give to someone else's soccer (or any sport) club? We have both said when and if our children play sports we will not allow them to collect outside of stores. Have a car wash or spaghetti dinner and we will be glad to help, but don't beg for money. That way the children are working but also providing a service as well. If they are 'forced' to collect or give money, we'll just write a check.

 

[Rora]

I typically only donate to groups that I know- girl scouts, boy scouts, Salvation Army, etc.

OP- it doesn't sound like this guy was too legitimate but the point is that you did your part. What he chooses to do with the money will reflect on him. Even if he was Joe Blow, you did what you thought was good.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

When our 501c3 wanted to sell candy bars in front of Wal-Mart, we were required to supply our letter of determination, our business plan and a copy of our budget. Pretty much everything you have to provide when you are doing grant requests. Wal-Mart had to review our application and make a determination if we fit their charitable cause direction.

Time slots were strictly controlled and there were very strict rules on the space we could occupy and the behavior allowed.

We had to give an accounting of how much we raised afterwards and fill out a W-9.

One of the reasons you may see so many in front of Wal-mart is that, at least in our area, Wal-Mart considers this as part of their charitable givings and matches 100% of what you raise.

So, again, at least in our area, the Wal-Marts vet their people out front very carefully.

They certainly wouldn't approve an organization that had high admin costs.

 

[sbell111]

I was hurrying into my local grocery store to pick up a prescription from their pharmacy department. DH had shingles and was *raving* mad with pain and I felt rushed and a bit frustrated after driving him all over town in heavy traffic to see 2 different doctors.

Anyway...2 teenage girls stepped into my path as I was hurrying into the store entrance and asked for a donation to their sports team. I replied, "I only give donations through my church" and kept walking. Just as I passed them I heard in a *mocking* voice, "I only give to my church"! I wheeled around in a flash and quickly walked to the girl who said that and asked, "What did you just say"???!!!!! She teared up and couldn't even answer...the other girl's face had totally drained of color. I glared at her for a moment and went on into the store. When I left, they were gone. Gee...I've always wondered why I scared them so.

Wow. You were kinda mean. In general, I don't allow teenaged girls acting like teenaged girls to affect my behavior.

To the topic: I typically don't give to people collecting money outside of stores. The only exception is cute kids. I'll give a couple bucks to a cute kid without giving it a second thought.

 

[Jennasis]

Wow. You were kinda mean. In general, I don't allow teenaged girls acting like teenaged girls affect my behavior.

To the topic: I typically don't give to people collecting money outside of stores. The only exception is cute kids. I'll give a couple bucks to a cute kid without giving it a second thought.

I don't think she was mean. JMHO. But as always, YMMV.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Outside every Target in my area, there's a sign that basically says to say no to solicitors as they do not suport them, and donating or signing anything with them only encourages them to stay.

Anyways, one day there was a man and a woman asking for signatures for something or other, and the managers finally came out to remove them from the premises, citing the sign that they had set themselves up in front of. The man had an absolute fit, ripped the sign out of its plastic covering, and ran through the parking lot with it as the Target security team chased him. I didn't see the end of it, but it was very interesting to witness indeed.

As to the other poster who was "mean," just because the teen couldn't take back what she'd dished doesn't make that poster mean. It means the teen needs to learn to respect others by keeping her mouth shut, or at least wait until someone's out of earshot to say something like that about them. When they dole it back, she should really be ready to accept her own consequences.

 

[Arielle22]

Here in MA last December a man posing as a vet in a Stop and Shop was found to be a fraud. He kept all the money he was collecting. A customer who had been in the military spotted something off about his fatigues.

Stop and Shop was left with a publicity nightmare since the man was approved to solicit inside the store.

The man was charged with fraud.

 

[JerseyJanice]

It annoys me to walk through a crowd of beggars to get in or out of a store. Like a PP said, if I'm going to donate to kids' activities, I'll do it in my own town where my own kid and neighbors will benefit from my donation.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Wow, I love this thread. I thought it was just me that tried everything in my power not to make eye contact with these people or going out of my way to use the other door. I was even feeling a bit bad about it but no longer. I am glad that others feel the same way. I just hate going to Walmart because of it. It's so nice to be able to walk right into Target without fear of being accosted.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Even if they are legit, you have to be careful and read the fine print. My mother got conned outside of a Chipotle into buying a $20 t-shirt that help benefited sick children (her weakness, she feels obligated to donate because she was blessed with healthy children). When she got into the car and started reading the receipt, it said that only 5% of the purchase went to the charity - that's right a whole lousy dollar! She went back and demanded her money back and said she'd prefer to donate to the charity directly.

 

[surfergirl602]

I hate feeling like I'm being accosted just to go into the store! We had some people outside of walmart just a few days ago for child abuse and battered women or something like that. Just people standing around. I just don't make eye contact and walk on by. I don't say anything. Its just so freakin' annoying to go to walmart to begin with! I don't need the evil eye on top of it.

 

[KSchwagg86]

I'm fairly certain Walmart has some rules in place about who can set up on their doorstep. Also, I THINK they are supposed to have their 501c notice available for anyone to see.

Yes this is all true. Don't count out all those organizations. I was involved with Penn State Dance Marathon and we raised money outside of walmart to help kids with cancer--totally legit!

 

[ilovepcot]

Wow. You were kinda mean.

"Mean" would have been reporting the girl's behavior to her coach or the store manager in hopes of causing trouble for the girl. What I did will probably serve as a reminder to be polite when asking strangers for a handout. That particular day I truly felt "wild" and was strung out but I managed to decline her request for money with a very civil reply. Unfortunately, she didn't respond in kind.

 

[georgina]

Yes this is all true. Don't count out all those organizations. I was involved with Penn State Dance Marathon and we raised money outside of walmart to help kids with cancer--totally legit!

Oh, Penn State. They have kids standing on the street corners at traffic lights, and then they walk up and down soliciting the cars while you are stopped at the light asking for money for "kids with cancer". I hate that one too, besides being dangerous, I don't like someone coming up to my car window asking for money.

 

[Darsa]

Um, if my teenager MOCKED someone who replied to an adult in such a manner, I would HOPE that she was spoken to about it. Allowing kids to behave like that and "letting it go" only makes it look like it's okay, and encourages further disrespectful treatment.

JMHO, of course.

 

[Tikitoi]

Wow. You were kinda mean. In general, I don't allow teenaged girls acting like teenaged girls affect my behavior.

To the topic: I typically don't give to people collecting money outside of stores. The only exception is cute kids. I'll give a couple bucks to a cute kid without giving it a second thought.

Yeah, I would never let myself get on a teenagers level, either. Just because I was feeling "wild".

 

[worm761]

I hate the Walmart beggars! Every single day they are out there asking for money for something or other. The only ones I give to are the Salvation Army bell ringers and the guys with the paper posies. I get paid on a debit card so I never have cash. They are so rude about it too. If you want your kids to be in sports, then you can do what I do and PAY FOR IT YOURSELF! We have another church group that is for teens that does car washes all over town. They barely look legit but I know where their building is so I know they are. But you NEVER see an actual teen working. If you want me to donate money to your teen group you should probably have the teens out there helping. All summer and on weekends. Nope, never seen one.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

My wife and I have a pretty effective way to not be approached by any of the soliciting people outside of stores. We simply take each others hand and being to talk to one another while we are smiling at each other... works like a charm.

Gotta' love that intolerance.

Oh. There was one little boy scout who didn't care a whit. He simply approached and asked if we wanted to buy popcorn. He got a fiver.