Should we in the UK be asked to donate to charity when making a withdrawal from

1. 60

   just575posted 13 years ago

   Should we in the UK be asked to donate to charity when making a withdrawal from an ATM?
   
   In a time of hardship, ministers in the UK have called for schemes to be introduced to make charitable giving the 'social norm'. Measures to be considered include donating at ATMs and checkouts, and the option to donate when applying for a passport or driving licence. For the average person such as myself, making ends meet is difficult enough. Should we be constantly pressured to donate to charities, and what about the smaller fringe charities which will not be represented?  Do similar schemes run in other countries?

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2. 84

   Springboardposted 13 years ago

   Just like companies will charge you what the market is willing to bear, they will test the waters in other ways as well. If the concensus from the public is a resounding no by opting out then the companies will cease and desist from the practice. If the answer is a resounding yes, then they will likely continue.
   
   We pay additional processing now (and we did not before) on "free" items we buy from TV infomercials because the public agrees to pay them. We pay surcharges on hotels and other things because the public agrees to pay them. If the public will not pay, companies will not charge. They are in business to make a profit, and when that profit is hurt by a customer's unwillingness to patronize them for a reason, any reason, that sends a very clear message. I think as consumer's we've forgotten about the power we have, and nowadays we just take whatever gets thrown at us because we want what we want.
   
   Every dollar we spend casts a vote for the kind of world we want. Keep that in mind. When the bank asks you for a donation at your ATM, just say no. If enough people follow your thinking, the bank will eventually stop asking for them.

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3. 60

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   In the UK, unless the rule has changed since I last saw it, it is illegal for charity collectors to shake collection tins or use other forms of solicitation (that's a good word, I wonder if it's a proper one, or have I just invented it) on the streets, surely for charities to solicit funds through an ATM is coming close to the same thing.

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4. 59

   Beege215eposted 13 years ago

   Just because someone asks you for your wallet that does not mean you have to hand it to them.  You have the right to walk away.  There is no harm in their asking, and there is no harm in you walking away. You seem to have a conscience that they are willing to play on and they know that some will feel bad not contributing to whatever cause they throw out there; so they ask.  You have your own financial situation and that has to be your first concern.  Don't let them make you feel bad because you are taking care of your own business. If you don't, who will? Them?

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5. 62

   Karonherposted 13 years ago

   Its just an option and I think a good idea. Some people are worried about setting up standing orders as it may be a cost too far on bad months, yet this way they can check their balance and donate if they want.
   
   No one is forced to donate, and if you are realistic about your own needs and really don't have the money to give you don't have to. However if someone realises they have had a good month and have a little bit extra, they may decide to donate a little.

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6. 59

   Rob Hanlonposted 13 years ago

   Should we be constantly pressured to donate to charities, and what about the smaller fringe charities which will not be represented?
   
   I don't mind donating to Charity or doing something constructive to generate income for a good cause, especially for the smaller, lesser known Charities and Constituted Groups (like a charity without having charitable status).
   
   I don't mind contributing in ways where I can choose, at my leisure, without any pressure to donate - like the ways mentioned above. Or to buy goods from the seemingly endless amount of Charity Shops in every High Street.
   
   But, I do mind, when I get stopped in the street with a clipboard-armed person paid to get people sign up to contribute to Charities via direct debit. As this, in my opinion, is just a form of aggressive begging that I feel intimidated by - not only in being confronted in the street going about my business but also for the fact that anything anyone contributes is not 100% going to that Charity.

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7. 0

   Butch Newsposted 13 years ago

   The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
   
   Sounds a bit over the top to me.  And why should private enterprise be forced by government to become an agent for charity?  I give it a thumbs down.

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8. 61

   belko002posted 13 years ago

   10% of profits should be fair I think.
   
   While we all wish they could give 100%, they still have costs too.
   
   And at the end of the day, while it's easy to say "we hate ATM fee's", we also appreciate the fact that they're convenience. If we didn't, we wouldn't use them.

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