There is a gimmick that charities are using now that really irritates me... a LOT! They put in nickels, address labels, blankets, cards, etc. with their requests for donations. I guess they're figuring that if you receive something you'll feel obligated to donate to pay for that gift plus more.
Instead, it just irritates me. For one thing, it's a waste. We received this actually quite nice Made in China bag from Unicef. We have donated to Unicef every year, but now this is making me almost change my mind. I don't want this bag. I have lots and lots of bags. I was a teacher and we're given bags all the time at workshops and such. Most people now have a lot of re-usable bags as well.
This is a waste! All the funds they used to buy these Unicef bags to send out to all the households should have been used to help the children they are supposed to be helping around the world.
If they don't stop doing this, last year's donation will be the last one we send them!
Instead, it just irritates me. For one thing, it's a waste. We received this actually quite nice Made in China bag from Unicef. We have donated to Unicef every year, but now this is making me almost change my mind. I don't want this bag. I have lots and lots of bags. I was a teacher and we're given bags all the time at workshops and such. Most people now have a lot of re-usable bags as well.
If they don't stop doing this, last year's donation will be the last one we send them!
Kay -- I only get address labels, but usually my suburban city isn't correct. It's part of the marketing budget, so don't feel guilty, but I've never gotten a bag. When I was poor, I used to get a jillion phone calls. I'd tell them I had my own charity. (Sometimes it was ME.) Now I can give to my church and Boy Scouts (my son is an Eagle,) and occasionally a friend or relative's charity walk or run. You could use the cool bag to send granny treats to your granddaughter! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteI find the incessant phone calls, asking for a donation, to be even more irritating than the gifts. Habitat for Humanity almost wore us out with their calls after we donated to them following Hurricane Katrina.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a waste, I agree.
ReplyDeleteFortunately in Israel we don't have that system.
I have learned to give only anonymously, because once your name gets on a list, all the charities will hound you on the phone in the evening and I hate that.
I give to charities that I admire, like the American Red Cross, IHS, etc., regardless of whether or not they send me stuff.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kay, it irritates me too when companies send me stuff that I don't want and expect a donation. If they just used the money donated on the cause instead of these useless things we don't want or need!
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice bag, you have to admit, but I see your point. I too get really annoyed with all the calls I receive after I make a donation. It has driven me to stop some of them. I think giving anonymously would be the right way to proceed.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood this give-away with a donation thing either. It always seems like the money could be put to better use....but I'm betting it is not going to change.
ReplyDeleteThis must be those savvy marketers at it again. Good point about the free gifts.
ReplyDeleteYou should send them UNICEF an email and give them the URL for this post. Maybe they'll read it :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery time I receive a donation request that includes a gift I automatically put that bunch on the "Do Not Donate" list. I figure if they have money for gifts they don't need my money.
ReplyDeleteit seems a waste but it works so well for them. it costs them less than they get back. you understand the psychology. long term donors will resent the organization. it's like the form that upsells you more each time. whatever your donation was becomes the minimum on the next form. a few organizations have soured me on them that way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this one. Also those return address stickers with your name, etc and cute little decorations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and have learned, though, to take the labels and use them with a clear conscience.
ReplyDeleteI usually get address labels and stickers around Christmas time, sometimes with a cheap and nasty biro. And I agree, every time I wish they'd spent the money on something more useful. Luckily it doesn't seem that charities in the UK have started sending anything bigger yet. If they do I'll just send them back.
ReplyDeleteDrives me crazy too. I have enough address labels to last the rest of my life or until we move again!
ReplyDeleteGosh, I feel the same way. I hate to give money to a charity and then have them send me 59 letters soliciting funds.
ReplyDeleteUnited Way used to rate the charities according to the percent of the money that reached the actual persons targeted for help.
I also have 3,000 bags from this that and the other. Perhaps you should title your piece, "Oh no, not another bag!!" Dianne
It bothers me too and I posted about my frustrations on January 23 and 25 of last year. I wonder how much money is spent trying to encourage donations. It doesn't work on me. I have several local charities that I support, but can't possibly give to every one that sends a request.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting compassion fatigue. I contribute to a few charities with automatic monthly extractions from my account, and I will contribute sometimes for emergencies. But all other requests go in the round file.
ReplyDeleteAnd to address your specific gripe, I use those stickers but I generally don't make a contribution. We get a lot of bags and certainly don't need more.
Oh, and I really don't like it when I already have given to a charity and I get requests for more money.
you're suppose to fill the bag up with dollar bills. Seriously, though, it's a business for the fund raising department of the charity.
ReplyDeleteI think we all feel this way, I know I do, its such a silly practise, makes no sense at all.Just the request is enough, if someone does not want to donate,, a bag is certainly not going to sway them.
ReplyDeleteLook, you stirred everyone up. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't need address labels so they go in the trash. The holiday cards go in the recycle bin, I'd use the bag but don't need it.
We receive endless mountains of the Christmas cards at the Cancer Society every year, and we cannot resell them. useless.
You are so right.
ReplyDeleteI usually keep the labels. Guilt-free!
Greetings from Cottage Country!
I received a donation request with a nickle (5 cents). I threw the whole request away. But their psychology is accurate, as I felt a twinge over throwing away the nickle. And if I kept the nickle and did not contribute, I also would have felt a twinge of dishonesty. No matter what happens, you will get another request from the same people--give or not give--because you're on a list. As the executioner in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" sings, "I've got a little list."
ReplyDeleteI so agree Kay. Some charities are getting very aggressive in their approach too. They prey on the vulnerable to get money from them. But it seems it's the way things are done. You can't buy a magazine now without getting a free gift. Everyone is competing with each other trying to attract buyers. I have one charity only and it makes it so easy. I reject any others.
ReplyDeleteI do believe they share their lists for once you give to one, other charities suddenly come from out of the wood work.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say that since the economy is down and people aren't giving like they used to is an excuse but this has been going on for years. I guess it works or they wouldn't keep doing it. Nowdays, I give locally where there is plenty of need or when there is a national disaster.
Hi Kay! We got this bag too - I used it a couple of times and it's already falling apart. I know it's been a while - I spent all of last year in the states. I hope life is good!
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I have long since stopped feeling guilty. If I like something I keep it and use it. Otherwise it goes in the trash (address labels) is recycled, or donated. I donate only if it is a cause I am already interested in and I haven't donated to them for a while, AND it fits into my budget right then.
ReplyDeleteGuilting someone into a gift? Hmmmmmm. I don't think that would fly in downtown honolulu anymore. Belts are tightening everywhere and people on the margin of surviving might just as well say "why how nice and thank you!"
ReplyDeleteand turn away from the outstretched hand.
walt
"If you haven't any charity in your heart you have the worst kind of heart trouble" to cure it
ReplyDeletehelp people, let's unite for one good cause, be a volunteer"save lives"!mawaddainternationalaid