Three times in the past few weeks I've come across this situation

[luvflorida]

There have been various organizations outside of stores either selling something (popcorn, candy) or collecting funds for something or other. The problem is, I hardly ever carry cash on me. I feel a bit bad, especially when it's a child (usually scouts) selling a packet of popcorn or candy bars. I know if I had cash on me, I'd probably purchase whatever it is they're selling. Well, not all the time, but you know what I mean.

And everytime it happens, I make a mental note to be sure to carry some cash with me, but somehow I always forget. It got me to wondering how many other people walk on by because they just don't carry cash these days. I'm thinking these organizations don't do as well selling things outside of stores compared with days gone by when more people carried cash.

Just something I've been thinking about, probably because I felt so bad last week when I didn't buy a packet of popcorn from the little boy standing by a table outside the local grocery store.

To those of you that have sold items lately, or collected for funds, outside of places of business, does it seem as though less people are stopping to donate than in times past? Am I in the minority as far as people not carrying cash these days? Just curious.

 

[AKL_Megs]

There have been various organizations outside of stores either selling something (popcorn, candy) or collecting funds for something or other. The problem is, I hardly ever carry cash on me. I feel a bit bad, especially when it's a child (usually scouts) selling a packet of popcorn or candy bars. I know if I had cash on me, I'd probably purchase whatever it is they're selling. Well, not all the time, but you know what I mean.

And everytime it happens, I make a mental note to be sure to carry some cash with me, but somehow I always forget. It got me to wondering how many other people walk on by because they just don't carry cash these days. I'm thinking these organizations don't do as well selling things outside of stores compared with days gone by when more people carried cash.

Just something I've been thinking about, probably because I felt so bad last week when I didn't buy a packet of popcorn from the little boy standing by a table outside the local grocery store.

To those of you that have sold items lately, or collected for funds, outside of places of business, does it seem as though less people are stopping to donate than in times past? Am I in the minority as far as people not carrying cash these days? Just curious.

YES!!! I wanted some of those lemon Girl Scout cookies... nobody who was selling them for their kids offered them, and then some girls at Walmart had them!!! Unfortunately, I had no cash.

 

[tiggerlover]

If they are selling something I want and I do not have cash I usually get cash back on my purchase in the store so I can buy what I want.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If they are selling something I want and I do not have cash I usually get cash back on my purchase in the store so I can buy what I want.

Ditto.

Now I suppose some people use credit cards for purchases and do not get cash off of those.

Is that your case OP? Otherwise if you are using a debit card you just get cash back.

Now I will admit, I don't buy fundraisers from the grocery store unless it is GS cookies.

 

[Angelhalo]

I usually just don't want anything they are selling. We don't "need" any girl scout cookies but if I do buy them I get them from someone at work, and I won't buy anything from the boy scouts.

I think you're right though OP, I'd be surprised if their sales outside of stores haven't gone down over the past few years due to folks carrying less and less cash.

 

[luvflorida]

Ditto.
Now I suppose some people use credit cards for purchases and do not get cash off of those.
Is that your case OP? Otherwise if you are using a debit card you just get cash back.

No, that's not the case for me. I think I'm just a slow learner. I've even made it a point to remember to get cash back so that I could buy that popcorn or candy bar, but I end up forgetting to do so. So, not only do I forget to carry cash, I forget to ask for cash back.

Now that I think about it, I may have other issues, like getting older and memory loss. I guess that's a whole other thread.

 

[momof1princess]

i usually just donate money, as opposed to buying something, because i do my best to keep junk food to a minimum in my house, but if someone offers to sell me GS cookies, i will usually buy a box or two, and give them to my in-laws. DH doesn't like them, and DD rarely eats cookies. if i don't have cash, DH is normally with me, and will buy them. if he's not with me, i'll go into the store and buy a pack of mints or gum to get some cash back on my debit card.

 

[okeydokey]

Well, I never buy stuff outside of stores anyway, so it doesn't matter if I have cash or not. I know enough scouts, band members, cheerleaders anyway that I get hit up as it is. And I never just donate to anyone standing outside with a can.

Except for the poppy men. I always give to them, and to the firefighters during the boot drive.

 

[golfgal]

We have enough kids in our neighborhood that we don't need to buy stuff from the kids selling in front of the stores. If that changes, I will probably have to start making an effort to keep cash. You can always call the school or organization and let them know you want someone to stop at your house to sell you stuff. The boy scouts are selling their Christmas wreaths right now and I have a friend who's boys are in scouts so I just wait for the email about those .

 

[Stacerita]

I ususally don't carry cash on me so I just say sorry and move along. I have so many of my own kids fundraisers to deal with that I really dont' even think of going back into the store to get cash or anything like that.

 

[luvflorida]

You can always call the school or organization and let them know you want someone to stop at your house to sell you stuff.

Well, let's not get carried away. I feel bad, but not THAT bad.

 

[kirstenb1]

I knew i was stopping at the store on the way back from the gym, and buying a couple of 2 liter sodas. I just gave my change from a five to the boy scout selling popcorn. I figured it was better than nothing, and he didn't have to give me anything in return.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The girl scouts troops I led (both in NH and Mi) always accepted checks at cookies booths. Have you asked or do you just assume they will not?

 

[ksjayhawks]

I rarely have cash or my checkbook with me, so wouldn't be able to buy if I wanted to. Use my cc that earns cruise points, so never get cash back either.

 

[golfgal]

Well, let's not get carried away. I feel bad, but not THAT bad.

One year I had to go buy a Christmas Wreath at a store though-so I did make sure I got on the list for a boyscout for the next year.

 

[TLuvsD]

Girl Scouts (in our council at least, and most others) are NOT to accept checks for cookies. In the past folks have bounced checks, put stop payments on checks, etc. I have to say, the stop payment thing REALLY makes me mad.....
So it's cash only at booth sales.

 

[marlynnp]

The girl scouts troops I led (both in NH and Mi) always accepted checks at cookies booths. Have you asked or do you just assume they will not?

My troop no longer accepts checks. Our council changed policy two years ago and only accept troop checks or cash. We used to be able to deposit 3rd party checks into the council account when we paid our share of cookie proceeds and council would have to collect on the NSFs - troops didn't not lose any money.