# Clerks asking for charitable donations... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304 "2009-10-19T08:13:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/21 "2009-10-21T07:04:03Z")
My college dormmates and I always came up with creative responses to this type of thing: “$1 to feed kids in Africa. No thanks, I hate poor people. They are probably better off dead”. “Recycling? I am 100% against it and I won’t do it!”. That one sent an RA into a conniption fit. There were many more and I use some of them to this day. I give to charity based on my own research and what I think is right. I don’t like feel-good corporate based consumer charity although it probably doesn’t do much harm. Just do whatever you fell you are comfortable with. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/22 "2009-10-21T07:11:44Z")
I hate this. I stopped going to a Vons because they were so persistent about it and I filled out a customer card to tell them why, too. I just think it’s obnoxious. I’m there to shop, not donate money to charities I don’t know fuck all about. For all I know, “Feed the Children” is really “Feed the Children Only If They Are White and Christian”. I’m pretty icy about it, too. ::big bright smile:: “Absolutely not!” ---
**Author:** ![heavybuhbuh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@heavybuhbuh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavybuhbuh)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/23 "2009-10-21T18:42:27Z")
Thanks everyone for the great advice on my original question. So today I took my neighbor who does not have a car to the grocery store. And the clerk asked for a donation to a local homeless shelter. Using the advice given to me by all of those who posted on this site, I smiled, albeit I was smirking on the inside, and politely said “no thanks.” I, like many of you, have a spot in my budget for charitable donations that I take a tax credit on. Just as I said “no thanks” my older female neighbor just glared at me with discontent. Then when it was her turn to check out, she was asked the same donation question, where upon she slipped the clerk a five dollar bill and then gave him two more dollars for my “lack of consideration” as she called it. I forgive her for she knows not the facts, like most people who judge. Later in the car I made sure the facts were known to her. My overall point is, thank you for the advice and empathy. And like many issues, it is wrong for me to expect the whole world to stop doing the things that annoy me. We will never be rid of people with an open hand. And now that I know I am not alone in this annoyance and doubt, it is easier for me to change my outlook on this burden. I am not at the point where I plan on buying 7 million burritos to end world hunger, but I admire the courage and wit, cymk. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/24 "2009-10-21T19:06:14Z")
> [@heavybuhbuh](#): > > Just as I said “no thanks” my older female neighbor just glared at me with discontent. Then when it was her turn to check out, she was asked the same donation question, where upon she slipped the clerk a five dollar bill and then gave him two more dollars for my “lack of consideration” as she called it. As a non-driver who on occasion has relied on the kindness of friends to run errands (which I do as seldom as possible, preferring to maintain my independence) I would never do anything so rude. I wouldn’t even presume to _think_ anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/25 "2009-10-21T19:31:51Z")
From a thread we had over the summer: [OK, I give up: What is with corporations asking us to give $1 at the register?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=523116) > [@OK, I give up: What is with corporations asking us to give $1 at the register?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/1): > > > [@OK, I give up: What is with corporations asking us to give $1 at the register?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/1): > > > > Everytime, without fail, I am subjected to the cashier at the CVS, or Safeway, or other stores, asking me “Would you like to donate ONE DOLLAR [you cheapskate!] to [say] deaf & dumb orphans?” > > > [@OK, I give up: What is with corporations asking us to give $1 at the register?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/12): > > > > That’s why I tend to answer them with something along the lines of “No thanks, a deaf & dumb orphan shot my Paw.” I’ll sometimes sneer when I say it, sometimes glare, sometimes look off wistfully/meaningfully. > > > > There’ve been some priceless moments over time, especially when a cashier (or someone in line) gets it. I think the best was when a clerk looked at me aghast and asked in a whisper “was it in … _Reno_?!” ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/26 "2009-10-21T21:15:37Z")
> [@Electronic\_Chaos](#): > > I used to work for a company who did this several times a year. So, speaking as someone who’s been on the asking end, you don’t owe the clerks any explanation. I promise they’re not going to look down on you, even if it is just a dollar. Just a simple “No” or “No, thanks,” and no guilt is necessary on your part. For all they know, you just wrote a check for $1,000 and delivered it directly to the charity’s headquarters. Also, when I worked at Kroger’s, I hated the customers that went on and on about why they couldn’t. Just say no and move on. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/27 "2009-10-22T03:36:53Z")
If it’s a hottie of the opposite sex, say, 'Sorry, I gave over $400,000 last year, and I NEVER got my deduction, and I’m not doing that again. What do you say to lunch?" If it’s a dork of the same sex, say “It’s obvious why you’re such a loser. I have already given over $400,000 this year, and you, a clerk, are asking \*me \*for money?” Win/win. hh ---
**Author:** ![sundog66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@sundog66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundog66)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/28 "2009-10-22T03:48:39Z")
A couple of people have suggested the phrasing “not **today** ” when turning down these requests. This is just a matter of personal taste, but that phrasing really irritates me. Of course it’s just a politeness strategy; you’re temporally restricting your refusal and thereby softening it. But it sounds so obviously transparent. At least have the courtesy to respect the cashier enough to give a straight-forward “no”. I’m sure they can take it. I’ve even been tempted to counteract this trend by using, “Oh no, I would never give to charity”. But I don’t think I can bring myself to say that. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/29 "2009-10-22T10:24:53Z")
One of the grocery stores that I go to has little cards at the register in 1, 3 and 5 dollar denominations. When you buy one it donates to charity to feed hungry children. It is never mentioned, it is just there if you want. I like that and try to buy one each time I go. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/30 "2009-10-22T15:06:38Z")
“No, thank you.” ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/31 "2009-10-22T15:20:20Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > According to post #17, the store gets the deduction. > Which is true? Anymore to claim a charitable deduction on one’s US tax return one must have a receipt (or confirmation letter from the receiving agency) proving that the contribution was made. No receipt, no deduction. A person who claims a tax deduction for a charitable contribution on his or her tax return without having a receipt risks the wrath of the IRS. The store clerks never give receipts for the donation so the donor cannot claim it. I don’t know how the store accounts for it so I’m not going to say that there is any tax fraud on the store’s part. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/32 "2009-10-23T15:57:17Z")
> [@sundog66](#): > > A couple of people have suggested the phrasing “not **today** ” when turning down these requests. This is just a matter of personal taste, but that phrasing really irritates me. Of course it’s just a politeness strategy; you’re temporally restricting your refusal and thereby softening it. But it sounds so obviously transparent. At least have the courtesy to respect the cashier enough to give a straight-forward “no”. I’m sure they can take it. I’ve even been tempted to counteract this trend by using, “Oh no, I would never give to charity”. But I don’t think I can bring myself to say that. I think that’s reading too much into the simple phrase “Not today.” If I were to hear that phrase, I’d give the person the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he or she has had a temporary financial crunch, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/33 "2009-10-23T16:33:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > According to post #17, the store gets the deduction. > Which is true? As other posters have stated, there is no way the store benefits financially here by claiming this as a deduction (unless they are committing tax fraud). If they get to deduct this money as a contribution, they also need to include it as revenue. So if they collect $100,000 as donations the only way they could deduct $100,000 from their income as a charitable contribution is if they include the $100,000 collected as additional income. At best they come out even. Its far more likely that they are just passing on the donations to a third party, meaning neither the charitable contribution nor the collected money shows up on their balance sheet. In theory I suppose you have the right to claim the deduction, but you’d probably need a paper trail to document this and I doubt most people even bother. This comes up again and again and it is false. You cannot make money from tax loopholes by making charitable deductions. The best you can do is donate at a discount (you donate $300 but it only costs you $200 once you do your taxes because you are in the 33% tax bracket - you haven’t made any money, you’re still down $200). ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/34 "2009-10-23T17:20:18Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > This just happened to me at taco bell. She asked me if i’d like to donate a dollar to end world hunger. So I said I had a better idea. Then I said I’d like to cancel my previous order, then ordered 7,000,000,000 burritos. As this was Taco Bell - how much change did you get for your one dollar? ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/35 "2009-10-23T17:46:05Z")
> [@Baracus](#): > > You are just another anonymous face that the clerk has to deal with to get through their day. Unless you are giving them shit, they really don’t care. In fact, they probably hate even having to ask. You’re doing them a favour by not donating because the less they get, the more likely management will decide to drop the whole stupid idea. Think of it that way and you won’t feel so guilty about saying no 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/36 "2009-10-23T18:00:19Z")
> [@Driver8](#): > > As other posters have stated, there is no way the store benefits financially here by claiming this as a deduction (unless they are committing tax fraud). > > If they get to deduct this money as a contribution, they also need to include it as revenue. So if they collect $100,000 as donations the only way they could deduct $100,000 from their income as a charitable contribution is if they include the $100,000 collected as additional income. At best they come out even. > > Its far more likely that they are just passing on the donations to a third party, meaning neither the charitable contribution nor the collected money shows up on their balance sheet. In theory I suppose you have the right to claim the deduction, but you’d probably need a paper trail to document this and I doubt most people even bother. > > This comes up again and again and it is false. You cannot make money from tax loopholes by making charitable deductions. The best you can do is donate at a discount (you donate $300 but it only costs you $200 once you do your taxes because you are in the 33% tax bracket - you haven’t made any money, you’re still down $200). Is it possible they could take out a ‘handling fee’? ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304/37 "2009-10-23T18:09:12Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > The store clerks never give receipts for the donation so the donor cannot claim it. I don’t know how the store accounts for it so I’m not going to say that there is any tax fraud on the store’s part. The big-box discount/grocery/electronics stores do give you a receipt for your at-register donation; it shows up as a line on your checkout receipt. (Obviously, a donation to a change collection jar won’t show up, which may be the type of donations you’re talking about). Not sure how places like Taco Bell or IHOP do it, though; they use the same tactics, with donation forms that can be signed and taped up on the wall, but I’m not sure if they even scan those through the register… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerks-asking-for-charitable-donations/514304.md?page=1)