Dunnes Stores banning Animal charities...

foggy_lad

Are shoppers so brain-dead from the ordeal of shopping that they are incapable of telling these many bag-packers they are not required?

In Dunnes if a shopper mentions they don't want their bags packed the packers who must be at least 14 and will all have undergone training must step back away from the till until that person is finished.

What is wrong with people having some manners and asking for what they want or telling the packers they are not required?

ShaShaBear

foggy_lad wrote: »

Are shoppers so brain-dead from the ordeal of shopping that they are incapable of telling these many bag-packers they are not required?

In Dunnes if a shopper mentions they don't want their bags packed the packers who must be at least 14 and will all have undergone training must step back away from the till until that person is finished.

What is wrong with people having some manners and asking for what they want or telling the packers they are not required?

I find nothing more uncomfortable than having to tell someone I dont want them to pack my bag/box, because it is verbally embarrassing them and myself by saying "I will not be giving you money". Now those callous and well-trained (and well-paid) folks that stand outside with clipboards are another story. I've told them where to go on many occasion, even ran out onto the road screaming for help when one insisted on following me!
They seem to be very adament that no matter how much money you have, you are more than capable of affording a donation, but they're quick to let you pass when you ask them if they have a direct debit of their own set up :rolleyes:

Goldstein

At least 50% of my local Dunnes' "charities" are sports clubs collecting for their next day trip. Given the choice, I'd gladly choose to contribute to saving an animal's life every day of the week. These groups have very few places to turn regarding funding.

To the people who are losing the plot about bag packers' skills, there's no law stopping you from answering "no thanks" to the "would you like help packing your bags?" question and still contributing whatever amount you want to the charity if you so wish.

If people can't afford it then that's fair enough but trying to use the "the bag packers are rubbish" as an excuse to not support a charity is just plain meanness pure and simple. Shame on you.

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Ah, I see now. Your 8.

If you're going to insult someone might I suggest a dictionary as your first port of call.

MyKeyG

foggy_lad wrote: »

Are shoppers so brain-dead from the ordeal of shopping that they are incapable of telling these many bag-packers they are not required?

In Dunnes if a shopper mentions they don't want their bags packed the packers who must be at least 14 and will all have undergone training must step back away from the till until that person is finished.

What is wrong with people having some manners and asking for what they want or telling the packers they are not required?

Completely agree. I was bag packing recently for an animal charity in Clare and a handful of people said they wanted to pack their own, one or two were a little gruff but they fired their 30 cent to a euro (some threw in fivers and tenners).

If you don't like me touching your food, no problem. If you don't want to throw your change in the bucket, that's even less of a problem, so where's the problem?

I don't agree with bag packers and flag sellers being compared to chuggers. There's a great difference between someone holding a bucket of change and someone actually obstructing you in the street, asking about your drinking habits and making a percentage. At least bag packers give you friendly conversation.

efb

I dont want stray animals packing my bags

MyKeyG

Just looking back on some of the comments here I'm amazed at some of the shortsightedness of people in saying people come before animals. I volunteer for an animal charity and I agree to a certain extent but while people are mistreating and abandoning animals I consider animal rescue a people issue, not an animal one.

dudara

Folks - I agree with a previous poster. I don't see this as a Consumer Issue, so therefore I am moving to the Humanities forum

dudara

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

debabyjesus

MyKeyG wrote: »

I don't agree with bag packers and flag sellers being compared to chuggers..

My definition of being 'chugged' is any situation where you are directly faced with someone asking for money which you didn't intend to be in. The word is connected with those people stopping you on the street but that's my understanding of it.

Its not a question of what charity it is or if they are local or friendly or whatever. I'm just sick of being asked or put in the situation where you have to say no or ignore someone. Im perfectly capable of asking the sales assistant to put my change in the 'box' after a sale or donating to something of my own accord.

Waking-Dreams

As someone who has also done bag-packing for a voluntary organisation (suicide prevention) on a few occasions, you can really notice the different psychologies of consumers who clearly don’t like being put in a situation where they might feel judged because they don’t donate or accept help.

Look, there’s tons of charities out there and no one person can donate to them all, so I wouldn’t feel that bad about passing people on the street or declining with a “no thanks”. But to wish for a removal of these people totally, just to ease your conscience or save you some kind of subjective social awkwardness is a bit lame. I guess people don’t want to have to think about it.

That said, Dunnes is entitled to enforce whatever rules they want.

Waking-Dreams

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I find nothing more uncomfortable than having to tell someone I dont want them to pack my bag/box, because it is verbally embarrassing them and myself by saying "I will not be giving you money".

I can only speak from my own experience but I have been refused by people at grocery stores and there’s nothing embarrassing about it from my perspective. They may feel bad about it but that’s more to do with themselves and their own view of how “good” a person they are or whatever. Turning down a bag-packer does not make you less charitable. We are overloaded with different charities after all.

HighburyH

I've bag packed for a local animal charity on several occasions. IF you don't want to contribute just say you'll pack yourself. Animal charities are collecting to pay vets' bills, transport costs, food etc for the animals that are thrown away, beaten, tortured, starved, burned, lacerated from ropes around their throats, paws rotting from filthy conditions etc etc., every day. These are difficult times but dogs don't get dole! And by the way - Dunnes - we REGULARLY collect animals from YOUR CAR PARK where they are dumped by the selfish and spiteful fools that buy them!

debabyjesus

HighburyH wrote: »

transport costs

In brand new vehicles?

Get a grip will you, nobody here is avoiding chuggers or bagpackers because they want to see pain and suffering in animals and humans continue. People want to do it on their own terms and not be forced to interact with often arrogant and harassing collectors.

daveyeh

repsol wrote: »

What a bunch of miserable tightarses! Most bag packers I have seen are young kids.Regardless of age they are giving their time up for a good cause.You or someone you love may have Cancer or whatever they are collecting for some day.Throwing a few quid into their bucket is hardly going to break the bank.If you don't want them to pack,do it yourself and give them something anyway.

Being a young kid is no excuse for squashing 80% of my food. They're mostly spoilt little ****s who don't want to be there anyway. They couldn't give a ****e if you gave 10 cent or 10 euro coz it's not for them.

Just a reminder, folks. This thread has been moved to Humanities and, as such, is governed by a different charter and set of rules than it was in Consumer Issues. If you can't argue calmly, clearly and without the use of profanities and patently bathetic pleas, then please reconsider your engagement with this thread. As it says in the very first sentence of the charter, "Humanities exists for the purpose of having rational, thoughtful, calm, civil debate about social and cultural issues." Emphasis on calm and civil debate, in particular; profanities and maudlin pleas to emotion, which are not conducive to rational debate, run counter to the spirit of Humanities. If you've any queries please drop me a PM. Thanks.

gbee

I can only assume it is in response to customer complaints.

Some collectors can be very pushy and annoying, I've reported a few to Dunnes myself in the past.

repsol

daveyeh wrote: »

Being a young kid is no excuse for squashing 80% of my food. They're mostly spoilt little ****s who don't want to be there anyway. They couldn't give a ****e if you gave 10 cent or 10 euro coz it's not for them.

Well constructed point. Glad to see you didn't generalize or judge anyone.If they don't care and as you say ,they are not getting the money,why are they standing there?

gbee

repsol wrote: »

Well constructed point. Glad to see you didn't generalize or judge anyone.If they don't care and as you say ,they are not getting the money,why are they standing there?

Mostly my own experience too, in fact most of my complaints to the management were about bag packing.

repsol

gbee wrote: »

Mostly my own experience too, in fact most of my complaints to the management were about bag packing.

"most of your complaints to the management"! Out of how many? Are you a serial complainer? Bet they love seeing you coming into the shop.The staff probably have a nickname for you.

daveyeh

repsol wrote: »

Well constructed point. Glad to see you didn't generalize or judge anyone.If they don't care and as you say ,they are not getting the money,why are they standing there?

Because their ma told them they have to or they'll be put through a wall.

Hows that for construction?

daveyeh

repsol wrote: »

"most of your complaints to the management"! Out of how many? Are you a serial complainer? Bet they love seeing you coming into the shop.The staff probably have a nickname for you.

Maybe if they dance on your bread next time you'll understand people complaining. :pac:

gbee

repsol wrote: »

The staff probably have a nickname for you.

TBH, I stopped shopping in Dunnes and switched to TESCO who had two policies, a no collection day and a limited number of packers so one could choose.

repsol

daveyeh wrote: »

Because their ma told them they have to or they'll be put through a wall.

Hows that for construction?

daveyeh wrote: »

Maybe if they dance on your bread next time you'll understand people complaining. :pac:

You obviously were dragged up in a violent home. I don't think parents who use or threaten violence on their kids bother collecting for charity.The kids who collect would be from decent homes.You may have heard of those ,even if you have not experienced one.

gbee

repsol wrote: »

,even if you have not experienced one.

Generalities again, we can only tell our own stories. The niceness of the children or their parents matters nought if they are throwing the bleach on top of the fresh meat ~ and squashing the bread ~ and anyway, seems like I'm not the only one to have complained.

123 LC

considering they sell horse meat maybe they don't really care about animals

daveyeh

repsol wrote: »

You obviously were dragged up in a violent home. I don't think parents who use or threaten violence on their kids bother collecting for charity.The kids who collect would be from decent homes.You may have heard of those ,even if you have not experienced one.

How dare you. You horrible little ***.






(*** = man)






WTF! Yellow card. Outrageous. If I had been dragged up in a more violent home I would smash this kip up.

Mod

Please refrain from making personal comments about other members; this includes stipulating about another's personal life and the use of profanities towards another member. The next person to post a personal remark about or towards another will receive an infraction or ban. If the quality of discussion in this thread doesn't become substantially higher within the next few posts I will have no hesitation in closing the thread. Final warning.

daveyeh

gvn wrote: »

Mod

Please refrain from making personal comments about other members; this includes stipulating about another's personal life and the use of profanities towards another member. The next person to post a personal remark about or towards another will receive an infraction or ban. If the quality of discussion in this thread doesn't become substantially higher within the next few posts I will have no hesitation in closing the thread. Final warning.

Its unlikely this thread can recover after the horrible abuse i've been subjected to. Close it sir. Close it.

carpejugulum

foggy_lad wrote: »

Buy a line for €3 and at least €1 goes immediately to the seller and more then goes to suoervisors and orgnisors at local and regional and national levels, at the end of it all about 10% goes to helping the people who are being used to advertise these charity businesses

Either provide evidence to disprove what I posted or take your lies back.

repsol

daveyeh wrote: »

Its unlikely this thread can recover after the horrible abuse i've been subjected to. Close it sir. Close it.

No need to close a perfectly legitimate discussion.There is an "unfollow" button for those who do not wish to take part.

daveyeh

repsol wrote: »

No need to close a perfectly legitimate discussion.There is an "unfollow" button for those who do not wish to take part.

Shush.

richardjjd

eviltwin wrote: »

Its not just animal charities, Concern were mentioned in the banned list and another non animal charity.

Hi. I work for Concern and this is not true: we're trying to track down how the rumour started that we were banned. Our volunteers held collections in some of the Dunnes outlets before Christmas without any issue.

The Corinthian

Twoandahalfmen wrote: »

A dog or cat won't dump you. Abuse you, rob you, deceive you. All they want is food love and shelter. Easy life

Ever see what a cat will do if its owner dies and its left all alone with them? You don't get many of those cat videos posted on YouTube...

Twoandahalfmen wrote: »

Eh no 17
I just realise the lack of support for animal charities like alot of these uneducated muppets.

Unindoctrinated is the word you're looking for, not uneducated, which judging by the lack of grammatical sense of your post is wonderfully ironic.

Come back and call us uneducated when you have a masters degree.

foggy_lad wrote: »

Are shoppers so brain-dead from the ordeal of shopping that they are incapable of telling these many bag-packers they are not required?

Most people are too passive or 'polite' to do so, while bag-packers, chuggers, or whomever are significantly more aggressive. It's how the scam works.

And I call it a scam, because it works using the same principles as many confidence tricks; exploiting human psychology in certain social situations, whereby they feel too uncomfortable to say no and too embarrassed not to give something.

And most people don't have the confidence to assert themselves; especially if taken by surprise.

Indeed, ask yourselves, why are bag-packers, chuggers, windscreen washers (that one may find at traffic lights), bathroom attendants (who'll practically lunge at you with a bottle of aftershave) carrying out these actions in the first place? It's to socially engineer a scenario whereby people are embarrassed, guilted or otherwise manipulated into giving money.

Hardly charitable behaviour - if anything it is a very efficient, cynical and ruthless strategy to maximize revenue.

As for this obsession with animal charities; it has regrettably become a hallmark of Western society that we spend more on our pets than we do on our children.

Stinicker

I'd never give money to overseas charity or animal charitys either; fair play to dunnes it is wise decision and you'd usually see the bagging for local charity or maybe the local GAA or Soccer clubs trying to raise a few euro too. All good causes, funding overseas corrupt governments and paying massive wages of charity ceos are not where I'd want any money I'd donate to go. Charity begins at home and not at the dog kennel or 3rd world either.

2rkehij30qtza5

debabyjesus wrote: »

Aren't people sick of being chugged though? In the street, at your door and in the shops. There is only so many times you can avoid the stares of bagpackers until you decide to shop somewhere else.
.

I agree. I do give money to charity throughout the year but I really don't like bagpackers at tils. It's like €1 extra per shop every time I go shopping because they are standing there waiting to pack bags.
I basically feel like I have to give them something or it just looks very mean on my part. It's not that I begrudge them the €1 each time but funds are tight and if you are popping into Dunnes 4 or 5 times a week to stock up on the necessities (bread milk etc) then you are looking at a few quid extra a week being given to the charities doing the bagpacking. I always try to go to a till that doesn't have a bag packer on it but oftentimes there is no till available.

Fromthetrees

I don't give to charity but if I did I would give to people first.

Seriously, it's outrageous that charity bag packers are allowed in supermarkets at all. They are in the one place I have to go to in the supermarket, the checkout. I always say no thanks I'm fine to them but it doesn't stop them from staring at me for the next couple of minutes while I bag my messages, I don't like this.

Did the op mention he'll start shopping in Supervalu now as they are Irish owned, totally irrelevant, all supermarkets in Ireland pay tax here, employ people here and more importantly I think Aldi had the highest percentage of Irish produced products on sale out of all the supermarkets.

payno

not shopping there now anymore, this is shameful

mcballer

My biggest problem is that most of the bag packers in my local tesco aren't charities at all! They are dance or sports clubs looking for cash! That a charity does not make...!Really gets my goat...much more worthy causes that could do with the cash over the luxury of extra activities for kids!! Think the supermarkets should ban it totally or confine to charities that help the more misfortunate ...

strandroad

mcballer wrote: »

My biggest problem is that most of the bag packers in my local tesco aren't charities at all! They are dance or sports clubs looking for cash! That a charity does not make...!Really gets my goat...much more worthy causes that could do with the cash over the luxury of extra activities for kids!! Think the supermarkets should ban it totally or confine to charities that help the more misfortunate ...

Yeah, I agree. I'd rather help a case of animal cruelty than fund an optional trip for a club.

Sleepy

Have to admit, the ones that get on my wick in the local Tesco are the local "dance schools" that sexualise their 6 year olds, dressing them like porn starlets in full make-up. Stomach churning stuff and the faces on the howiya mothers involved when you tell them you'll pack your own bags could sour cream.

Would much rather support someone like Paws than these "local charities".

MyKeyG

debabyjesus wrote: »

My definition of being 'chugged' is any situation where you are directly faced with someone asking for money which you didn't intend to be in.

In all my years of bag packing or being at a checkout where bag packers are operating I have never 'asked' or been 'asked' for money. A bag packer has never obstructed me in order to ask for money, a bag packer has never asked me about my social habits in order to deduce that I should be able to afford to make payment, a bag packer has never asked for my bank account details, a bag packer has never called out after me when I walk away having refused to make a donation reminding me of the importance of the charity in question.

MyKeyG

Stinicker wrote: »

Charity begins at home

So does animal abuse. Maybe you should think about that.

meoklmrk91

My local animal charity does amazing work, better than that they are very respectful of how they collect funds. They are not in your face.

Having spent time there they are every bit as much a people charity as they are an animal charity. When someone is surrending their much loved pet, sobbing, because they can longer provide a home due to moving into a nursery home, going into hospice or due to the death of the primary Carer people get to know that despite how hard it is their animal will be cared for and a new home will be found for them, I have witnessed this and seen how wonderful the staff are, offering a cup of tea, listening to their stories about how much they love their pet.

Also volunteers come from all walks if life and everyone who wants to help is accepted, these include people who wouldn't be able to volunteer elsewhere, for whatever reason, some people are very isolated and it is great that they have the chance to reach out to other people all while helping the animals.

I fully agree with dunnes policy of local charities only, but I believe that the best local charity in my area is an animal charity. I wonder will GAA clubs still be allowed to fundraise despite the fact that they are not a charity.

People say humans come before animals, and yes in fairness they do, but I think one of the most human things you can do is to help an animal. I won't be shopping at dunnes and plan to send them an email telling them so and why.

My only objection to bag packing is that it forces you to opt-out, rather than allowing you to decide to opt in. I don't like decisions being presented to me in that way, especially by the St. Patricks Ceili Tap Dancing School of Hurlers or whatever.

On principle I refuse to let anyone pack my bags, though I do often choose to donate if I consider it a worthy cause. I resent being cornered into making those decisions though.

Collect outside, without actually accosting the customers so they have a choice, but don't position yourself in their space and force them to either be uncomfortably assertive or unwilling donors.

MyKeyG

Candie wrote: »

On principle I refuse to let anyone pack my bags, though I do often choose to donate if I consider it a worthy cause. I resent being cornered into making those decisions though.

Feeling that you're being cornered and actually being cornered are to completely different things. I never let people pack my bags and I only give something if I have it. Likewise I judge nobody for doing the same.

The fact of the matter is, this money is needed. It's as simple as that, perfectly healthy animals are being put down left right and center and all because of the people that abused them. It's all well and good for the big charities who can advertise or do actually ask people for continued monthly donations.

Bag packing and flag selling are the only way the small charity can make anything and believe me we make very little at that.

MyKeyG

MyKeyG wrote: »

Feeling that you're being cornered and actually being cornered are to completely different things. I never let people pack my bags and I only give something if I have it. Likewise I judge nobody for doing the same.

The fact of the matter is, this money is needed. It's as simple as that, perfectly healthy animals are being put down left right and center and all because of the people that abused them. It's all well and good for the big charities who can advertise or do actually ask people for continued monthly donations.

Bag packing and flag selling are the only way the small charity can make anything and believe me we make very little at that.

Hmm. Did I actually say anything to the contrary?

I feel cornered if someone is invading space that should be left free for me to operate unhindered. Someone standing at the end of the conveyor belt is doing that.

I'm sure its difficult to raise money, but that is completely aside to my complaints about that sort of fund raising.

MyKeyG

Candie wrote: »

Hmm. Did I actually say anything to the contrary?

I never claimed you did. I argued a point you made and then continued my post to the rest of the board in general. That's why I used the quote option. Had you said anything to directly prompt anything else I said I would have quoted that too.

I feel cornered if someone is invading space that should be left free for me to operate unhindered. Someone standing at the end of the conveyor belt is doing that.

I'm sure its difficult to raise money, but that is completely aside to my complaints about that sort of fund raising.

The topic of this thread is animal charities in general being banned, which is what I'm disputing. By your rational people collecting for cancer, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy etc are also a hindrance and an obstruction, or space invaders as you put it? But that's not the argument here. If you dislike charities operating at bagging areas in general then that's your prerogative. The issue here is that animal charities are being singled out.

<To the thread>
In my own humble opinion, the arguments on this thread are weak put on balance to how much charity is needed. Go and see a healthy dog put down and then come back and tell me which is the real inconvenience.

I believe animal charity work is not as important as the other charities I mentioned but lesser importance does not equal NO importance.

MyKeyG

MyKeyG wrote: »

I believe animal charity work is not as important as the other charities I mentioned but lesser importance does not equal NO importance.

In a recession where people prioritise extra expenditure in order of importance, and given your view that animal charities are of lesser importance than the others you mentioned, maybe Dunnes have made the right decision.

I wouldn't agree, I think its all in or all out and I'd prefer all out.

MyKeyG

Candie wrote: »

In a recession where people prioritise extra expenditure in order of importance, and given your view that animal charities are of lesser importance than the others you mentioned, maybe Dunnes have made the right decision.

I wouldn't agree, I think its all in or all out and I'd prefer all out.

Well I clearly stated lesser importance does not equal no importance. Dunnes have in essence said it's of no importance. I don't agree with that. Nor do I agree priority in the recession is an excuse. People were more than happy to give to us when we did it before Christmas and not because they felt obliged. They engaged us in conversation regarding the charity and commended it. I had two people who requested I not pack their bag and they still donated. I had a few people who let me do it and didn't donate. I don't see the big deal.

By the way a number of tills are required to be left unmanned for people who don't wish to avail of the service. So there really is no excuse.

Tar.Aldarion

I don't get how they allow things like sports clubs and dance clubs etc to collect and not animal charities. Animal charities aren't generally paid chuggers but people who actually care about what they are doing and often house/pay for these animals themselves. They also get no government funding and so on. I've never even been asked by them for money, it's always teh paid aggressive chuggers that are harassing people.