How Do You Feel About Being Hit Up for Donations at Check-Out?

[Anonymous]

We've all been there - at just about every store we stop in during the day's errands. I was only mildly annoyed with the constant "hand out" until yesterday (which was compounded today). I wonder who likes it, and who doesn't.

- Yesterday: I was at the checkout at Macy's in Fairfax County, when the "PIN machine" asked if I wanted to donate to Fairfax County Schools. While I hesitated (because I was surprised), the cashier said, "just press yes." I was then annoyed by the explicit - and inappropriate - order to donate money to an organization I am already supporting to the tune of $8,000 a year via property taxes. I said "no" (and selected "no".) The cashier gave me a dirty look.
- Today: Went to another Macy's (didn't find one of my items yesterday), this one in Loudon County. This time, the screen asked if I wanted to donate to Prince William County Schools. (Say what? This wasn't even in the same county.) I was in the process of hitting "no," when the cashier quickly interjected about helping the school children. I told her I give to numerous other charities of my choice, and she rolled her eyes.

Now, admittedly, part of the problem is the charity Macy's selected (given the fact the schools are being burdened by the cost of illegal schoolchildren, and it's a hot-button issue), along with the somewhat aggressive way in which they try to collect, and the obvious disapproval when they are refused. (I have given to homeless pets, veterans, Special Olympics, etc., at check-out, but this one bothered me.)

So, I wonder. Who else is bothered by being "guilted into" parting with a $1 or $2 at every stop? (Often, it can add up several dollars a day, if I gave every time I'm asked, or $150/month.) It seems that it bothers boomers (of which I am one) since, the theory is, they have established charities to which they give generously and are annoyed by the additional nickel-and-diming at every turn. The millennials, on the other hand, seem to like it, and the theory is that they don't make large donations otherwise.

http://www.retailwire.com/discussion/do-you-like-or-loathe-being-asked-for-a-donation-at-checkout/

[Anonymous]

Several dollars a day?! Where are you shopping?? The only place I am ever asked is at the super market and I always decline.

but I don't shop at crap places like Macy's, so there's that.

[Anonymous]

Nope. i always say no, and I don't feel badly about it.

[Anonymous]

I get sick of it too. I donate plenty, but I like to write it off on my taxes and I like to choose the charities.

I'm annoyed at all the places asking for a tip. Coffee shops, sandwich shops, ice cream shops. Just stop. If I'm not getting served, no tip. And especially not the suggested 20%!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Several dollars a day?! Where are you shopping?? The only place I am ever asked is at the super market and I always decline.

but I don't shop at crap places like Macy's, so there's that.

OP. Well, that's another element. Many of the more affluent people consider it a "crap place," as you so delicately put it, and it definitely does run to the moderate side of the spectrum. In other words, although I'm sure there are affluent people shopping there, the primary customer probably tends to lower-middle class - and are the people who are using coupons all the time to save $10 or whatever. So MACY's should not be trying to guilt these people into parting with additional money to support county schools (on top of their already atrocious property tax). SO annoying.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't bother me. I'm an aging millennial, who doesn't give large sums of money to charity, but does respond to these types of things for a few dollars here and there. I've never heard it broken down that way, but it kind of makes sense.

I wouldn't say I like it, but it doesn't outwardly bother me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get sick of it too. I donate plenty, but I like to write it off on my taxes and I like to choose the charities.

I'm annoyed at all the places asking for a tip. Coffee shops, sandwich shops, ice cream shops. Just stop. If I'm not getting served, no tip. And especially not the suggested 20%!

OP here. That's another pet peeve. Panera is a prime example. You have to wait on line to order, then you get your little buzzer, then you go to the counter to pick up your main food, then you go to the drink dispenser to get your soda and napkins, then you take it all to a table, and then you clean it up after - putting the trash in one bin, the used silver in another, and the trays in the appropriate spot. And they expect a tip for that? Damn.

[Anonymous]

It's annoying and I won't donate.

[Anonymous]

I treat it like I treat MLM- I say no across the board. We donate 15% of our income to charity- we pick and choose where we want it to go. It's inappropriate to ask me in front of others where or how I want to donate and I hate it when stores do it!

[Anonymous]

It's also annoying because the business trumpets how much they donate to charity, when it's really not their money they're donating but the additional 1 and 2 dollars that they scoop up from their customers.

I give to a number of organizations that I have checked out over the years and also like to take the deduction on my taxes, so I'll stick with that.

[Anonymous]

I don't donate to those point-of-sale things, though I do donate to charity on my own. I need the tax write-off more than CVS does.

[Anonymous]

I always say no, and no I don't and never feel bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't bother me. I'm an aging millennial, who doesn't give large sums of money to charity, but does respond to these types of things for a few dollars here and there. I've never heard it broken down that way, but it kind of makes sense.

I wouldn't say I like it, but it doesn't outwardly bother me.

OP here. That goes along with the theory of the article.

For example, I give hundreds of dollars to ASPCA every year. Yet, at the PetSmart, I'm asked to donate a $1 - and the charity is ASPCA. I feel like crap loaded down with all the expensive cat food for my little precious, and then decline their request for $1. So I usually press "yes". But still, annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get sick of it too. I donate plenty, but I like to write it off on my taxes and I like to choose the charities.

I'm annoyed at all the places asking for a tip. Coffee shops, sandwich shops, ice cream shops. Just stop. If I'm not getting served, no tip. And especially not the suggested 20%!

OP here. That's another pet peeve. Panera is a prime example. You have to wait on line to order, then you get your little buzzer, then you go to the counter to pick up your main food, then you go to the drink dispenser to get your soda and napkins, then you take it all to a table, and then you clean it up after - putting the trash in one bin, the used silver in another, and the trays in the appropriate spot. And they expect a tip for that? Damn.

yeah i agree re panera and similar places. good stuff eatery does that too.

[Anonymous]

Those donations are a tax write off for the company. In other words, if they collect $1,000 in donations that day at the check out register, that amount is used to lower their taxable income by $1000.

So basically they are using you to get a tax benefit for themselves. Just donate directly if you really care.