Somewhere In Between

I don't mind donating a little bit once in a while, but usually they just ask, if they ask at all, if they can round up to the next dollar. More often than not, you can tear off a little donation sticker that they ring through the register. I've never been hit up as you were with the RENs Rafter place.

 

That said, I get asked all the time when I LIKE a charity on FB. Do you want to donate $384, $279, $117, or other? None, but I immediately wonder who these people might be who would donate hundreds of dollars! 

A difficult call. On the one hand their behaviour is outrageous - both the assistant you dealt with, and designing a user interface with a white on white button. On the other hand they're trying to raise money for charity. Hmm. In the UK we have the 'Trading Standards' a governmental authority. They might give them a slap on the wrist and a fine... or not.

I'd write to the CEO, and use social media to embarrass them into putting a clearly visible 'opt out' button on the screen.

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Where's your Halloween Story, Jason? Post it, do! Like James has, in the Flash Fiction forum. Go on... We're waiting....

I haven't run across any scams like that.  I'd guess most merchants are happy for your business and don't want to give you reasons to take your trade elsewhere.  

I tip well over 15%, but that's because I like a waitress or waiter and the service they provide, not because I feel charitable.  The last contribution I gave was to Wikipedia.  I use that service frequently and think it's only right that people that use a service pay a little.  Sort of like AwesomeDude; people who come here more than once or twice to read stories should pay for the entertainment they're getting.  Fair's fair.

I guess, Jason, you could have told the lady, "Look, I think this is a worthwhile cause, but you seem to be taking delight in my frustration here.  So, tell you what, I'll donate five dollars if you'll do the same.  No reason I should be the only sucker here.  Let's do this: you give me $5 and I'll click the $10 box."

Would have been educational to see her response.

C

 

 

 

7 hours ago, Camy said:

A difficult call. On the on hand their behaviour is outrageous - both the assistant you dealt with, and designing a user interface with a white on white button. On the other hand they're trying to raise money for charity. Hmm. In the UK we have the 'Trading Standards' a governmental authority. They might give them a slap on the wrist and a fine... or not.

I'd write to the CEO, and use social media to embarrass them into putting a clearly visible 'opt out' button on the screen.

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Where's your Halloween Story, Jason? Post it, do! Like James has, in the Flash Fiction forum. Go on... We're waiting....

Not sure where the story is, I sent it in but I guess it was too late to be included in the Halloween posting. And since I haven't posted a new story in years, I don't know if they will make the next round of story posts and I should just wait my turn, or if it will never be posted. But I'll wait for a few days/weeks, and if nothing happens I'll probably post it in my blog if nothing else.

19 hours ago, Trab said:

I don't mind donating a little bit once in a while, but usually they just ask, if they ask at all, if they can round up to the next dollar. More often than not, you can tear off a little donation sticker that they ring through the register. I've never been hit up as you were with the RENs Rafter place.

 

That said, I get asked all the time when I LIKE a charity on FB. Do you want to donate $384, $279, $117, or other? None, but I immediately wonder who these people might be who would donate hundreds of dollars! 

I'm not usually a charitable person, truthfully, so it always blows my mind when people do. I'm not that good a person I guess.

33 minutes ago, Cole Parker said:

I haven't run across any scams like that.  I'd guess most merchants are happy for your business and don't want to give you reasons to take your trade elsewhere.  

I tip well over 15%, but that's because I like a waitress or waiter and the service they provide, not because I feel charitable.  The last contribution I gave was to Wikipedia.  I use that service frequently and think it's only right that people that use a service pay a little.  Sort of like AwesomeDude; people who come here more than once or twice to read stories should pay for the entertainment they're getting.  Fair's fair.

I guess, Jason, you could have told the lady, "Look, I think this is a worthwhile cause, but you seem to be taking delight in my frustration here.  So, tell you what, I'll donate five dollars if you'll do the same.  No reason I should be the only sucker here.  Let's do this: you give me $5 and I'll click the $10 box."

Would have been educational to see her response.

C

 

 

 

Cole, you are the more creative one between us, saying that to her would never have crossed my mind. I was really pretty disgusted by the sheer nature of that scam that I was almost speechless. Though it bothered me enough that I'm still talking about it two weeks later.