Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I buy the Big Issue on a regular basis - for a start I think it's a good cause but also because it's quite a good read.

But, the one outside the Co-op is starting to annoy me a little - it's the pressure. I go into the Co-op most days which means that most days they shout Big Issue at me. The trouble is that I'm only going to buy it once a week at most which means all the other times I go away feeling guilty for not handing my money over but why would I when I've already got a stack in the car.

The only way to get round it is to carry it round with me to show them that I'm not ignoring them.

Is it just me that feels the guilt?

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I don't buy and have no guilt about snubbing any type of street begger.
There are enough provisions in social security law to prevent starvation.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I don't have any guilt walking past the one in Accy. Maybe it helps when I know she isn't talking to me because I'm not her darlinnnnnnnn :D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

big issue dahhhhhling lady was dressed as santa yesterday :)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

When I saw the thread title Gayle I thought you had a second job ;)

I don't feel guilty about never buying one. You are already providing for the sellers by working and paying into the system that pays out to them. A good system it is as well.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I dont go to town that often.. But when I do then I usually buy one off her.. I am talking rare that i see her.

I don't read it and it generally goes in the bin after a quick look at the headlines/pictures

I buy it because unlike others.. she is at least trying. it cant be good stood there all day in all weather and its not the same as the con artists who want a fiver for a cuppa or whatever. Arn't big issue sellers more organised.. they have to account for the issues and the money surely?

I will always be impressed with people who are making a genuine effort to at least do something for money...

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

We must be on the same wavelength Neil I thought Gayle was after a few extra quid for Christmas:D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Just got back from Burnley, and the Big Issue seller outside M & S was a rather rotund Asian gentleman dressed colourfully as an elf and singing repeated renditions of 'Jingle Bells'. At least he was trying to add a bit of cheer, and singing for his supper.

Did I buy one ? ... no. Do I feel guilty ? .. terribly ..:(

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I didn't know there was a Big Issue seller outside the Co-op, as they don't pack your bags for you, and I find the new check-out a real struggle.

The sellers aren't supposed to be agressive. If he/she is, I would report them, and I certainly wouldn't be made to feel guilty, if I'd bought one or not.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Clearly an outsider. Anybody who comes from Burnley sings Dingle Bells :D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

LOL ... on another thread that the lady in Accrington with the same approach, looks like a Nationwide marketing exercise.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Is this the same one that replaces the words jingle bells with big issue??? If it is, i was amused last year (but still didnt buy one)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

i don't buy one regular, but do occasionally fer the same reasons.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I see the Big Issue lady in Accrington most days I'm in town, I have purchased the big issue a number of times in the past, I was also a little generous round Christmas time and give the big issue lady some spare change.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

For some time I've thought that there was something a bit dodgy about the Big Issue seller in Accrington.
Then I watched a TV programme last year which proved that there was a link to Romanian gypsies who were using the Big Issue in Britain to fund lavish lifestyles in Romania. I'm not saying that the Accrington seller is part of this but I certainly wouldn't dream of ever buying a Big Issue from anyone, I don't agree with begging of any kind or aggressive selling. I find her sales technique to be offensive and wish that she could be stopped by the council.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I've only seen this woman a few times anne and she's never really bothered me, but you can't really tar everybody with the same brush, selling the big issue has helped a lot of people climb out of the gutter and take up a useful roll in society, so it can't be all bad really

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I don't regard the woman in accy centre as n aggressive seller, all she does is call out "Big Issue" as folk are passing.:confused: To me if yeh think thats aggressive, perhaps you got n issue Anne?

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

No I don't find her to be aggressive other than the fact that she's in your face when you walk past which annoys me, I've just had the impression that what you see isn't what you get, no evidence just gut instinct, then I saw a documentary about Romanian gypsies living in luxury in Romania from an organised racket from Big Issue sales. Have you noticed that the woman in Accrington is a different one than previously but still spouting the same sycophantic "Biig Iisue Daarling" drivel?
I do however know that The Big Issue has done a great deal of good for homeless people and I have been known to buy an awful lot of the same copy from different sellers in the past.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I used to buy one from a vendor in Manchester most weeks, his pitch was outside M&S, if I had time I would usually ask if he had eaten today, most of the time it was a no. Some fruit, a sandwich and a orange juice later would put paid to that.
Recently I haven't bought one, we now tend to go to Preston, parkings cheaper! Same shops, there used to be a seller outside St George's mall, same thing again.
It's a personal choice, some people give to every charity in the street, some don't give at all, my mother in law gives to anyone who askes, while the guy I fly with, cannot help but drop money into every collecting box he see's.
I have no problem with charities, I just don't like being made o feel guilty about not giving.
For the record, I sponsor a boy in Sierra Leone and try to Give Blood and sometimes get a big issue, as I can afford to.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

thought id check Big Issue website as for some reason I always thought there was a time limit on how long they could sell the rag for, but found this
If you are:
Homeless or rough sleeping
In temporary accommodation
In danger of losing a home
Unemployed and facing financial crisis
You can start selling immediately. Starting with the Big Issue couldn’t simpler:
We have lots of spare pitches & a great magazine
You will receive free copies to get you started
We offer training & support to all new vendors
We have 63 distribution points nationwide and pitches available across the UK
Just contact your nearest office in person or by telephone and staff will be able to advise you on how to get started.

It’s easy. Once you start you buy the magazines at £1.25 and sell to your customers at £2.50, keeping the difference to spend as you like! Once you become a vendor you will also have access to support around issues of housing, health, training and much, much more. We look forward to welcoming you to the Big Issue soon! Click here to see some of our vendor success stories and the life changing experience it can be.

Now hasn't there been an article about this "homeless" woman in the Accy Observer before, saying she lives in Manchester with her kids, so she's obviously not homeless, if she's claiming benefits as i'd put money on that she is, is she declaring her earnings, NO would be the answer. Stop buying it from her its a con

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

If I remember the article correctly she stated that she was not collecting benefits, so I think you are incorrect asking people not to buy from her without getting the facts together first.
She obviously qualifies to get copies of the magazine, or she would not be selling them.

Your statment could reduce her earnings to such an extent that she will then have to collect benefits, so it will then be your fault.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Here is a link to a story about a Big Issue scam Benefits boulevard: 'Built in Romania - with YOUR money | Mail Online

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

And how does this advance the big issue debate!!!, other than lazy posting by just putting a link without comment.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

And how do yeh know there was no comment? Its been edited.;)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Cashy I think Neil edited it to put the text in beside the link. When I first saw it there was no comment.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Its like that program "catchphrase" say what you see.


It was edited after I posted, so there

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Sorry for the confusion but I did not want to remove the other posts after I added a comment to the link. I did not want to just remove the post with no description as I felt it might be interesting to other members.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Sorry I thought the link was self explanatory.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

The forum often manages to describe the link itself but the rules say you must describe what the link you have posted is for so members know what they are clicking

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Ok thanks I'll remember that in future.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

while we`re on about romanians,did anyone see the programme about fraud on telly tonight.seems like romania and other eastern european countries seem to be benefiting from our country by swindling either our banks or benefits system.
maybe a certain austrian nutcase wasn`t far wrong wanting to eradicate the more "undesirable elements" of europe.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

whilst I cant agree with the sentiment expressed, I think this scam is more likely to fund crime in other countries rather than selling the big issue for £2

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Ok.. did you really mean that?..this site has more than it's fair share of right wing opinions so I suppose the more the merrier.:)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

hahaha no,i`ve no time for extreme right wing politics.i just feel let down by the previous governments open door policy to immigration which i think a lot of people will agree has been a total disaster.quite a few people coming over here just come to abuse us,whether they are health tourists or just out to claim benefits or rob us blind one way or another.in 30 years of working i`ve been unemployed for about 3 or 4 weeks out of that time and had a spell on the sick for 8 weeks due to an industrial accident for which i received the princely sum of £82 per week.it angers me that people come to this country an receive all kinds of help without paying into the system.my girlfriends cousin is a prime example,he manages to smoke,run (reputedly) two cars,have sunbed sessions and finance holidays to see his family in new zealand.......all off benefits.makes me wonder where i`m going wrong :D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Just back from town. The new Big Issue guy. Oh My. How he hasn't lost the will to live yet is beyond me. I feel like giving him a tape recorder and a megaphone. He can then record his voice saying "the big issue" over and over and over and over. Infact I think he probably has a tape recorder in his mouth and the same recording comes out, time and again. It sounds so much the same every time he says it.

I would take the desperate cries of the woman anyday.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Reminiscent, of the old guy who used to sell the Telegraph in Accy centre on the corner of Broadway, the only thing he used to say was Telegraph over and over again

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I remember a paper seller opposite the Town Hall, outside Redmans I think. He use to shout something like Last Final but it was totally indecipherable. I think he must have sold the Telegraph.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Yer both talking about "Sid";) who has been mentioned in owd threads.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

He used to start of Telegraph then later moved on to latefinal all one word, or it sounded like it, can still picture him a little chubby fellow with a flat cap on ( and probably a wild willy woodbine stuck in the corner of his gob:D)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Yes you're right John - we probably only heard latefinal (emphasis on the last syllable) as that's the time we used to be down town. And I do remember the flat cap...

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Just read those old threads Cashy - I'd forgotten about the "last sports" on a Saturday for the Pink...

And getting your papers off the Clock Garage wall during wakes week - forgotten that an all.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I can vaguely remember being at me Nans as a nipper on a Saturday afternoon & the Liverpool Echo used to have a "Pink" sports supplement. Think things are a little different today if you're after picking up the "Pink" papers. ;)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Would have pointed yeh in the direction of em, but had forget which uns they were, so couldn't find em.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

You mean the Financial Times...:eek:

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

'Salright Cashy, I found em.

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Financial Times susie, come on we're talking about DinG here:D:D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Ooh ! Low blow Jay, well below the belt .................. admittedly true though ! :D I've the financial nouse of a stunned sloth, that's the reason the Witchy one doesn't let me near the finances & gives me pocket money. :s_aim1:

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

With creds like that Dave, ya should go into politics, politicians don't seem to have any idea about finances either:D

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Agreed, but my other major failings that rule me out of Bolictics are, in no particular order, far to honest, I get embarrassed by telling a little white porky let alone the whoppers they trot out & my Mum & Dad were married when they had me, so no Bolictics isn't for me. ;)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I see so in a roundabout sort of a way your saying politicians are all lying barstewards:rolleyes:;)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

watched a show on TV following skint people infact i think it was called SKINT

most of their sales are to people on benefits who use benefit money to buy the big issue at around 30p from the big issue themselves then sell it on for a proffit on the street making an income for themselves.I cant recall if they can return what they dont sell and get a refund or not.

the illusion is that the people selling it are homeless but its rarely the case its just a good proffit earner especially if you get a good spot and people feel guilty enough to buy the rag

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

I read it often and it always makes me smile how a picture of a man with a white shirt on looks white even though its on pink paper ;)

Re: Big Issue outside the Co-op
 

Just checking your shares portfolio Neil:rolleyes: