# OK, I give up: What is with corporations asking us to give $1 at the register? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697 "2009-07-02T14:36:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/21 "2009-07-02T17:18:28Z")
I’ve noticed that it is getting more and more difficult to make a purchase. First you have the annoying prompt for a loyalty card, then a donation, then for your credit/debit card, then asking if you want money back, then if the total is correct. At some point it will be faster to just go back to abacii. I used the ATM-like machine at the movie theater the other day and I had to press about 20 buttons just to go to the next showing of the most popular movie. You know, I don’t think there are that many people that want to buy tickets for tomorrow’s showing. Maybe you should handle those at the ticket booth and just flash up today’s showings. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/22 "2009-07-02T17:23:39Z")
> [@](#): > > At some point it will be faster to just go back to abacii. What’s an abacius? ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/23 "2009-07-02T17:29:15Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > You’re not understanding one thing. People _don’t_ give, unless you’re constantly in their face. You claim that you can decide where your charity dollar goes. I believe you…but I would say 90% of the population doesn’t decide at all, and doesn’t pay any attention to charities, unless we ask them. One of the biggest ways we make money is from corporations. Kmart did an amazing campaign for us this year, making over $60,000 in a month, a dollar at a time. That’s just in Upstate NY. Hess was another major contributor. I think the average person has no idea of what a cheapskate they are. It’s probably like the way 80% of people think they will graduate in the top half of their class, or how 70% of people think they are of above-average intelligence. From a cold, cynical perspective, you have to be persistent and publicly guilt people into situations where they either have to pony up or admit just how cheap they are. That’s why some people would rather shop somewhere else, or why they’d make up stories about how an orphan shot their paw… it’s a way of dealing with cognitive dissonance when you’re a cheapskate, but believe you’re generous. Now… I used some personal examples in my reply and I really don’t want to offend anyone in particular. I just feel very strongly that this kind of thing is a huge problem in America. We seem to have decided that the government can just tax the rich and take care of everyone else without asking us to make any serious contributions or sacrifices ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/24 "2009-07-02T17:40:59Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > This particular tactic doesn’t seem to have crossed the pond yet, and for that I am grateful. When and if it does I’ll tell 'em to fuck right off and shop someplace else ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/25 "2009-07-02T18:12:33Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Nope. You are making the donation, it shows up on the receipt as such, and you get the write-off, not the store. > > However, I have little doubt that such stores get a cut of the action. Many charities hire collection outfits to do fundraising and those outfits keep a percentage of what they collect as a fee. It would not surprise me at all to learn that the stores get a similar fee. Two questions: Does that receipt meet all the requirements now that the IRS insists on. Not that it really matters. No way do I want to save a hundred tiny receipts. I’d rather make larger donations to the charities I prefer to support. Does anyone know if the stores do get a collection fee? I’m going to ask a cashier directly next time I get such a request. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/26 "2009-07-02T18:29:37Z")
Holy crap, it constantly amazes me what SDMB members get upset over. I LOVE the idea of being able to contribute at a check out stand. It’s just an option that you can accept or reject. And I’ve never seen, or heard about a cashier making anybody feel bad for saying no. In fact, I’m sure in most places that would be a good way for the cashier to get in trouble. I ignore TV and radio adds and throw away charity mail. I unemployed at the moment so I’m not signing up to give monthly for any charities, but it’s no problem to add on $1(usd) to my grocery purchase. It’s quick, it’s easy, and I get to feel good knowing that I contributed to a worth while cause. I seriously don’t get the attitude, “What? You’re giving me the option to donate to an organization that helps crippled children? Screw this, I’m taking my business elsewhere!” ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/27 "2009-07-02T18:41:24Z")
I don’t shop much at all in my house. The main place I see this is at Petsmart and they just ask me when I use my debit or credit card. I have donated $1 a few times They have their own charity to help homeless pets. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/28 "2009-07-02T18:47:33Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > From a cold, cynical perspective, you have to be persistent and publicly guilt people into situations where they either have to pony up or admit just how cheap they are. Yeah, maybe. But I don’t give money to people or organizations who try to publicly guilt or embarass me into giving them money. Any charity that uses such techniques doesn’t deserve my money, and probably isn’t all that charitable, being so cold and cynical. I know exactly how much I give to charity each year. I’m comfortable with that amount. I don’t feel guilt, or embarassment, about not giving more. I do get angry with people who try to manipulate me into handing over money. They’re not all that different from con artists. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/29 "2009-07-02T18:49:13Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Holy crap, it constantly amazes me what SDMB members get upset over. I LOVE the idea of being able to contribute at a check out stand. It’s just an option that you can accept or reject. And I’ve never seen, or heard about a cashier making anybody feel bad for saying no. In fact, I’m sure in most places that would be a good way for the cashier to get in trouble. > > I ignore TV and radio adds and throw away charity mail. I unemployed at the moment so I’m not signing up to give monthly for any charities, but it’s no problem to add on $1(usd) to my grocery purchase. It’s quick, it’s easy, and I get to feel good knowing that I contributed to a worth while cause. > > I seriously don’t get the attitude, “What? You’re giving me the option to donate to an organization that helps crippled children? Screw this, I’m taking my business elsewhere!” Totally agree. I don’t always say yes, like when it’s getting near the end of the month, and no one has ever given me a hard time. And I don’t believe for one second that anyone has ever actually boycotted a business over this. Nope. Doesn’t happen. It’s like my father-in-law grumbling that he’s “gonna write 'em a letter” whenever he has some perceived grievance. It never happens. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/30 "2009-07-02T18:51:51Z")
People boycott businesses for all kinds of wacko reasons so a few might boycott over this. Right now there are right wing types who won’t buy GM or Chrysler due to their government handouts. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/31 "2009-07-02T19:13:50Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > And I don’t believe for one second that anyone has ever actually boycotted a business over this. Nope. Doesn’t happen. It’s like my father-in-law grumbling that he’s “gonna write 'em a letter” whenever he has some perceived grievance. It never happens. It happens. I have never purchased from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) due to their 1 click patent. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/32 "2009-07-02T19:30:37Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Right now there are right wing types who won’t buy GM or Chrysler due to their government handouts. Well, I’m not a right-wing type, but I doubt I’ll be doing business with Chrysler again any time soon. I bought an 09 Jeep vehicle recently. A week later I find out they are shutting off the dealership I purchased from. I will have to drive an additional 45 miles for any future warranty stuff. That _plus_ the govt handout situation has soured me on Chrysler. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/33 "2009-07-02T19:34:05Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > It happens. > > I have never purchased from [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) due to their 1 click patent. Let me guess - you use Linux? ---
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/34 "2009-07-02T19:37:03Z")
Pushing into debate territory, nonetheless: I would also re-emphasize that part of my objection is that while the concept of charitable donations may please the non-profit organization workers on here, and no doubt it is a good thing to donate, nevertheless how do we choose _which_ charity gets to be front & center at CVS this year? If your dear old mother suffers from post-partum left-ear deafness syndrome, and CVS annoits your charity with the sacred ointment of the one dollar cash register shakedown, then goody for you. But what about the other charities, especially ones that are not as politically connected or otherwise lucky to be so annointed? So if this tactic is so effective, the corollary is that the CVS corporate goons will be decided which diseases get extra funding, which orphanages get ‘more, sir’, etc. So to keep this baby in factual discussion, my follow-up is, \*\*so how do these corporations choose which charity gets the dollar-bills? \*\*The local CVS actually has, at the cash register, a television playing on a closed loop (24 hours a day right now) featuring a sufferer of some kind of brain damage (stroke?) talk about her ordeal. It might be the same issue as the charity they are collecting for, although I have lost track which one that is. So how do they decide \*\*which non-profit \*\*gets the proceeds of the register shakedown? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/35 "2009-07-02T19:40:31Z")
There are many ways they might choose which charity they want to help. Maybe the CEO is involved with the charity or has a relative impacted by the disease. I doubt there is 1 way for all the stores. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/36 "2009-07-02T19:45:02Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Let me guess - you use Linux? I don’t have it on any of my machines due to some technical requirements of my primary hobby project, but I like the theory of open source. I’m not opposed to closed source, I think they both have their place. My beef with Amazon is software patents, I completely disagree with them and Amazon took it too far. I’m ok with reasonable IP, but not software patents. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/37 "2009-07-02T19:52:50Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > People boycott businesses for all kinds of wacko reasons so a few might boycott over this. > > Right now there are right wing types who won’t buy GM or Chrysler due to their government handouts. While I’m moderately conservative, my mother is ultra conservative, a self proclaimed “Fundamentalist Catholic”, and boycotted Geico for a short time because, after seeing an add where it looked like a guy had bulge in his pants, wrote a complaint letter to them. They predictably blew her off so she left them…only to come back to them about a year later or so. Then, after watching [This yoplait commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdRLYqP7ZoM) and the one where the husband is on the phone, and the wife is looking through the fridge, and then turns to her husband and says “Babe.” (I can’t find a video for it). Anyway, because of how the wife the wife says “babe” to the husband in each of the commercials, my mom says she called yoplait and told them to keep their feminist agenda to themselves. No, I’m not making this up. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/38 "2009-07-02T19:57:28Z")
I knew of a girl who would not even take a ride in a foreign car much less own one. I guess she did not date anybody with a foreign car , or maybe she just drove on those dates. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/39 "2009-07-02T21:09:37Z")
Let’s get something straight- if the cashier at Safeway asks you “Would you like to donate a dollar for breast cance research,” she doesn’t really care whether you do or not. Got that? SHE. DOESN’T. CARE. If you just say “No, not this time,” she’ll ring you up, say, “Have a nice day,” and you can go home. She’s not going to give you a dirty look or call you a cheap S.O.B. behind your back; she’s busy ringing up the next customer. It took a second for her to ask. It took a second for you to say, “No.” Was that REALLY an inconvenience worth bellyaching about? Unless the “charity” in question is one you have moral qualms about (Planned Parenthood or Operation Rescue, say, depending on your beliefs), why complain? ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697/40 "2009-07-02T21:25:40Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I work for a charity, and this is a real coup, if we can get a corporation to do this for us. > > You’re not understanding one thing. People _don’t_ give, unless you’re constantly in their face. You claim that you can decide where your charity dollar goes. I believe you…but I would say 90% of the population doesn’t decide at all, and doesn’t pay any attention to charities, unless we ask them. Yup. Hell, I work in non-profit and I forget about giving even when I plan to. I need to be reminded. And if it’s a charity I don’t care to give to, I don’t give. You’re seeing this in stores because it works really well, both for the stores and for the charities they serve. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-corporations-asking-us-to-give-1-at-the-register/501697.md?page=3)