I got pissed off at a store clerk over Red Cross donation jar!

[Wcross]

I go to the local Mapco express store to get gas and a few items inside. I get up to the counter and buy my stuff. The clerk says- "would you like to donate your change to the Red Cross?" I said no, I have already sent a check to the Red Cross and the Humane society. This idiot had the nerve to say " How do I know you sent them money?"
I was taken aback. Who the hell is she to say that? I am supposed to throw money in a jar which may/may not make its way to the Red Cross? I am supposed to throw money in a jar so an oil company can donate money in their name? I wonder if they write off everything collected?
To top all this off- they are still gouging at their pumps.

I am never going back to that store.

[LynneSin]

1. I would have retorted "How do I know you're not using the jar $$ for beer"

:D

[redsoxliberal]

2. perhaps you misinterpreted their comments

perhaps it was a defensive 'oh i didn't know' if they interpreted your response as agressive.

[Wcross]

3. No, I wasn't aggresive- I was smiling when I said it.

This woman was just the too talkative type. She said it as a question not as a "oh, I didn't know you already donated". It was more or less- prove it. I never come across as aggresive, I am so mellow it hurts.

[Floogeldy]

14. At least have the balls to say, "Fuck off" or something like that.

;)

[Wcross]

15. It wasn't worth it.

I went to the Mapco website and complained with the store number.

[salin]

4. my first thought: yikes! that is coercive

and rather not why people should give.

my second thought - after rush and others give folks excuses for not giving (ala - its their own fault for not evacuating) and reading threads about friends and relatives who view themselves as Christian but don't think they need to give ... maybe a dose of shame such as the attempt of the clerk (or his employer) is what it takes to get some folks to give. Not that I agree with the effort - indeed it is a sad commentary.

I rather read the clerk's response as defensive (Hey, without you saying you gave - how would I know who has given and who hasn't) rather than aggressive (ala - how do I know you really gave... in an effort to get you to give more.)

[Wcross]

5. How do I know the money will get there?

There are at least two middle men if not three or four before the Red cross gets their money. If I mail a check the Red Cross gets it all. I read the tone of her voice as an accusation as if I needed to prove it to her somehow.
I can see the jar, I don't need to be asked. The proper response by the clerk should have been nothing when I said I already gave. Maybe a smile. What do I get? Someone questioning me.

These are her exact words "How DO I know you did?" It was not, "oh, I didn't know that" or "How DID I know" or "How COULD I have known"

[salin]

6. confirms my first reactions - coercion

ugh.

[MissMarple]

7. "How could you possibly know? Would you like to PM my accountant?",

he said with a most gracious smile. ;)

[LisaL]

20. LOL. You should have told her that she can't really know if you

did do it, but it's really none of her business. I know I would have.

[youthere]

8. Wow. Just, wow.

1. If the jar was clearly visible on the counter she had no right to as kyou to put your change in it. Tacky and Pushy.

2. Her comment was WAAAAY over the line. In addition to never shopping there, I would make a phone call to the manager/owner. That is way way WAY over the line.
Outrageous.

[Left Is Write]

9. Answer: "What makes you think it's any of your business?"

Your charitable donations, including when you gave and to whom, are no one's business but yours. That clerk was rude and stepped over a line.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

10. Of course they write off everything they

actually donate.

I have known of such places which use those jars as a slush fund for register problems.

[Merrick]

11. My charity of choice:

http://www.vfpchapter110.org

no beauracacy taking off the top, no red tape, and they're actually IN New Orleans, on the West Bank providing supplies and medical care for people who've received no other assistance from anyone other than a couple sporadic helicopter drop offs of water and supplies.

[RevCheesehead]

12. I think you should write or call the store manager,

and tell them WHY you aren't going back there. Otherwise, the "problem" would never be addressed. Do you really think they'd notice that you stopped going there?

[Wcross]

16. I contacted the company. n/t

[RevCheesehead]

19. I'm so glad you did!

Too often, people just complain to someone else, avoiding taking the problem to someone responsible. By writing to the company, you put the situation in their hands. And who knows - maybe they'll give you vouchers for free gas or something (you can always donate them to a local shelter or church).

[Floogeldy]

13. You wilted and folded.

Maybe she just wanted you to ask her out?

Don't let people control your emotions this way.

[Wcross]

17. Being rude is the last thing that makes me interested. n/t

[tjwmason]

18. You should have answer "You don't know"

and then walked off.

I do like the idea of collecting tins at cashiers, and now and then drop some money into them - but the notion that there use should be anything other than completely optional is ridiculous.