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Are Big Issue sellers asked to beg?
Spouthouse
Posts: 1,046 Forum Member
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I've noticed a trend among Big Issue sellers recently whereby they say 'Big Issue pleeeeeease!' Instead of just saying 'Big Issue'. Also, if you say no (you can't keep buying copies from every one you see after all) they even sometimes follow up by continuing to say 'oh please, Big Issue pleeeeeeeeeeeease.'
I always thought the idea of Big Issue was to give homeless people an alternative to begging. But that's exactly what some of them seem to have started doing, just armed with a magazine.
Is this now ok with BI or are a lot of sellers just ignoring the charity's rules?
I always thought the idea of Big Issue was to give homeless people an alternative to begging. But that's exactly what some of them seem to have started doing, just armed with a magazine.
Is this now ok with BI or are a lot of sellers just ignoring the charity's rules?
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I also wonder whether shops are altogether happy with them selling outside, as I'm sure a lot of people, given the choice, will just avoid them by using an alternative shop. Can't be good for business.
I thought sellers were meant to sell them for a short term period?
This is what it is like nowadays. It's a shame the magazine turns a blind eye to it as it now means the genuinely homeless and needy don't get a look-in.
>>>>>>
Its understood that by selling the Big Issue for 16 hours weekly
the Govt will recognise the various vendors, including immigrants
as qualifying for Self Employed status. This then allows them to also qualify for additional benefits. As in the case of the
single mother from E Europe with various children incl one disabled, now able to claim c £26-£28k with housing - as a Big Issue seller.
Not saying that's what's happening everywhere else though.
You should try again as they now give away a free chocolate egg with every purchase.
It worked though didn't it!
It is Eastern Europeans everywhere I've been lately (mainly places in the SE England around London)
Ignoring the rules, I think. I always buy one off the same guy who I have been buying it from for years. If I see another seller, I tell them I've already got one, and they usually say thanks for buying it, even if it wasn't from them personally.
If the sellers are begging, they're possibly breaking street trading rules, but it's their own choice to be a nuisance.
The man is also scruffy and he goes in local charity shop and pinches clothes and leaves his old stuff behind. I told the manager that she should tell the police but she just says "he's obviously very poor". I don't think they are poor and I don't think either of them live locally. We have a very limited bus service so how do they get here? I reckon he has a posh car somewhere.
I keep meaning to have both these people checked out because they wear big issue tankards and I think they both have badges.
How much speculation do you want to put in one post??
Oh I hope there's a Big Issue seller in town this week!:eek:
There was a comedian, I forget which one, who joked, he bought the last one off a Big issue seller, and said you can go home now then,
One of the sellers in my town is eastern European and he tends to come right up to you and pleads with you to buy a copy and gets annoyed if you say no thank you
Yes, well done to her for showing a bit of initiative!:cool: