I've had a blue "charity" bag dropped through my door to. Collection on Thursday. Couldn't see exactly who they intend to help, so i did a bit of checking up online. Turns out that the only charity they help are themselves. They collect the goods from kind-hearted souls who think that it is going off to be distributed in the poorer parts of the world. What they don't do is admit on their bags that they are actually taking the stuff to sell for their own profit.
If you want your unwanted goods to HELP charities, then please, take them to a charity shop, or wait for a genuine charity bag to be delivered.
Genuine bags will include a company registration number.
These ‘companies’(such as helpingarms) although registered, are not legitimate and may have been dissolved. They are not or do not submit accounts so not only are they making a profit they are also avoiding paying taxes.
If unsure the number or ‘company’ name on the leaflet can be checked with Companies House on 0870 33 33 636 or online at
http://www.companies-house.gov.uk3
Thanks for the warning, will keep and eye out for them and also pass the word around.
Bloke in Bristol town centre started talking to me the other day, wanted me to make a 'suggested donation' of £2 to help buy some kids a motorised wheelchair or something like that. I didn't trust them the second that he said they were a limited company and not a charity (in truth I was waiting for a good excuse to walk away and that was it)
Thanks for the warning Shell. I got one of those bags through my door and did sort out some clothes as some of them seem to have got smaller
and I am too lazy to go to the charity shop - actually it is more complicated than just being too lazy; charity shops tend to have quite limited opening hours and it is a pain to get there as I am working and
really don't want to get up on a Saturday morning and go down there.
(21-10-2008 07:32 PM)Chutzpah Wrote: [ -> ]I didn't trust them the second that he said they were a limited company and not a charity (in truth I was waiting for a good excuse to walk away and that was it)
Charities need to raise £5000 of donations before they can register as charities......and it is difficult to get donations without being a charity.
This disadvantages people who are fund raising to get a wheelchair or some such thing for one particular individual as they cannot set up a charity yet their needs can be just as valid.
Did they have a permit to collect? That is probably a better indication.
Thanks for reminding us Shell this scam has been going on for years.
I get plenty of well known legit charity collection bags through the door so the problem of not being able to dispose of unwanted items is not so much of a problem. Having said that they usually stipulate what they want so they won't take everything.
(21-10-2008 08:27 PM)Della Wrote: [ -> ]I am too lazy to go to the charity shop - actually it is more complicated than just being too lazy; charity shops tend to have quite limited opening hours and it is a pain to get there as I am working and really don't want to get up on a Saturday morning and go down there.
Della don't the well-known charities canvas your area I seem to get one every two weeks or so?
(21-10-2008 07:32 PM)Chutzpah Wrote: [ -> ]Bloke in Bristol town centre started talking to me the other day, wanted me to make a 'suggested donation' of £2 to help buy some kids a motorised wheelchair or something like that. I didn't trust them the second that he said they were a limited company and not a charity (in truth I was waiting for a good excuse to walk away and that was it)
I don't like street canvassers most seem to be flogging 'charity' credit cards although its usually above board and if they sign you up I think they get a commission. However I don't think it a good or sensible way to commit yourself to a credit card and I find it annoying so its a quick and firm no thank-you from me as I speed by.
Mine went straight in the Bin.
(22-10-2008 12:00 PM)logisman Wrote: [ -> ]Mine went straight in the Bin.
Hum! I used mine as the bin........ Or is that what you meant
I use mine too, usually in the garden. It saves buying bags doesn't it?
Didn't think of using them I just Binned them, is that wrong binning bin stuff in the bin instead of using it to bin stuff
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