Not so pleasent World Vision encounter
Tuesday 15th September 2009 — Comments (5)
This is a very sensitive subject with lots of emotions tied to it so I’m hesitant to even speak my position on it, but I feel things need to be said.
We just had a visit from a person from World Vision, the organisation which claims to be dedicated to helping children in developing countries that are in crushing poverty. Money is put towards funding food, shelter and clothing.
Perhaps resent is too harsh of a word, but I must be blunt and admit I resent being forced into something from a person who has arrived at my door, whether the person is from a company, a religion or in this case a religious charity. I understand these people need help, but they don’t seem to be able to just tell me about the work they’re trying to do, they try and use the same high pressure sales tactics insurance agents do. If I’m not sure or if I want more information, I shouldn’t have to sign a contract on the spot I’m not comfortable with, even if their intentions are good.
I donate to secular charities that don’t try to strong arm me (such as Oxfam) and make it a habit not to for those that try to force me into giving up credit card details and other personal information on the spot at my house. Am I a bad person?
No, I don’t think you are.
Look, if I want to sponsor someone, I am going to do it. I am going to put money in the tin for the people at the shopping centre. I am going to buy the raffle tickets. But I won’t be forced into spending “just a dollar a day” or whatever their tactics are to get the kids sponsored. Also, how much of my sponsorship dollars are these mall salespeople doing?
I apply the same tactic to door to door and mall anything, even religion. Sure, I am tolerant of everyone’s beliefs and orientations, but don’t ever come bringing them into my house when I don’t want them here when I am being disturbed from my peace and internet quiet.
Last Christmas I made a blog post (not sure if I still have it) about Ingle Farm Shopping Centre having the car wash people out trying to sell stuff OUTSIDE the shopping centre? The carpark is my own personal refuge for near misses and car accidents, not to be bombarded with more marketing jargon.
And I really really do feel sorry for the people that can’t get out of what they start saying, especially everyone and anyone that’s ever been suckered into a “free portrait” at Studio 2000.
Thanks Monnie, I appreciate it :). I think you really nailed it, all we’re asking for is honesty on the part of these people rather than being pressure marketed to. And inevitably they don’t help their cause if they do such things anyway.
FYI… World Vision is a legitimate company which I support in the past. :-)
Their method is wrong indeed. O well…
World Vision piss me off. They put endless. ads all over Judge Judy here in Ireland, showing how half a cent will cure a kid’s eyesight or something, then they’ll write to you to proove it.
I’ve got a sign on my door that lists the categories of visitors who are not welcome. When somebody does ring the doorbell after reading it, I know they’re the worst of the worst.
You’re not in the wrong. In my city several charities have people standing in the main street using every tactic they can to stop you and get you to sign up to direct debit donations there and then. They aren’t volunteers either, they are getting paid to encourage people to publicly give out bank details. I actually developed tactics to avoid them… I don’t let people pick my pockets, so why should I give out bank details on the street? If I donate to a charity, I’ll do it on my terms