I feel duped... (questionable solicitation for

[goldenstar]

I was leaving my local grocery store and there was a table outside the door with a tablecloth that had a big D.A.R.E. logo on it (Drug Abuse Resistance Program). Curious, I stopped to take a look. The two women there told me that they were doing a "gift exchange" to help fund the DARE program. For X dollars you would get a gift from the table. I had $10 in my pocket and I wanted to make a contribution but I didn''t need another knick nack to clutter up the house.

So I said I would give them the money but they could keep the gift. One woman wrote up a receipt for me. Then she said "Do you have a dollar to help with the tax?" I gave her one.

I got into my car and drove off. On the way home, a light came on in my head. TAX!? THERE SHOULDN''T BE TAX ON A DONATION!

So I take out the receipt and read the back. In sum, it said that five percent of the RETAIL PRICE OF THE MERCHNDISE YOU PURCHASED will be remitted to DARE (emphasis added). WTH? It goes on to say that DARE is a national public charity, charted as a non profit corporation... blah blah blah.

THEN, it says "The name and address of the corporation that sold you the product appears on the front of this receipt (it didn''t). The corporation is not a charitable organization and the person who is selling the selected merchandise to benefit DARE is not a volunteer for DARE, but rather, a paid employee of the corporation named on this receipt. The corporation RETAINS 95% OF THE RETAIL PRICE ON ALL MERCHANDISE AND NO PORTION OF THE 95% IS USED TO BENEFIT DARE OR ANY OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION" (emphasis added).

I felt

. I wanted to donate $10 to DARE, not 5% with the rest going to some corporation''s profit!

The whole thing was totally misleading. A few points:
-When I said that I didn''t want the gift, the women didn''t say "you bought it so you get it." They said "Since its a gift exchange its yours, but we can give it away if you don''t want it."
-She asked for my name for the receipt "so the government knows who is contributing to DARE". She didn''t say anything about a private corporation. I assumed that my name would go on the receipt so I can show a charitable contribution come tax time.
-The top left hand corner of the receipt had "D.A.R.E" handwritten. No mention of any corporation or business. Therefore, you think the receipt is from DARE.
-You''re not gonna know the important information on the back until you agree to "buy something". And you won''t think to ask to look at the receipt beforehand. How unfair!

Its common for companies to sell products with a small contribution going to charity. For example, the Cartier Love charity bracelet

. You know that only a percent of the profit will be donated and you know that you''re buying a product from which the company will profit. That''s fine and dandy.

BUT THE SENARIO ABOVE JUST DIDN''T SMELL RIGHT. If DARE needs funding then by all means, get companies to sell stuff and donate to you. Just don''t let the private corporation appear to be something that its not. Not that I''m blaming the DARE program, I don''t know whose bright idea this was. I really think that DARE should refuse to be associated with this shenanigan.

I''m completely mad at myself for not catching on sooner. I wanted to post this as a warning to everyone in case they see one of these tables. Ugh, I''m so annoyed!

 

[mimzy]

argh! i''d be pissed too. maybe you should try to contact a local DARE office and let them know

 

[Erin]

I think you have every right to be

and if there is an address on your receipt, write a letter to your local congressman or alderman and send a copy to the company. What about going to the grocery store and asking them if they are AWARE of the deceit at this table which I''m sure they asked permission to set up under the false pretenses of being from DARE.

Call the grocery store first.

 

[Kaleigh]

I''d contact your local DARE chapter, and the grocery store. I have seen these tables set up here outside my local market, thanks for the heads up. I''d be angry too, so keep us posted on what transpires in talking to DARE and to your grocery store.

 

[bee*]

I''d be so annoyed! I would definitely contact DARE and the grocery store.

 

[luckystar112]

I would have marched right back up to those girls and asked for my money back. Totally. I probably would have embarassed them too, then got in touch with the manager of the grocery store and DARE.

That''s just ridiculous. How old were the girls?

Seriously I knew a girl in high school who used to go around collecting bottles and said it was to benefit an after school program that her mother volunteered for. She''d turn over the bottles and keep the cash. She did this once every couple of weeks. It''s sad that the world is like this.....BE CAREFUL, PEOPLE!

 

[LegacyGirl]

I would have too... I''m amazed at what people do now a days... does no one believe in Karama??

 

[CaptAubrey]

As a general rule, I don''t respond to charitable solicitations that I did not initiate precisely because so much nonsense like this goes on. Ditto to people who come to my door.

You can generally gauge the legitimacy of these things by informing the people that you will check them out and donate online later. The real ones will be happy to hear it; the bogus ones will argue with you about it.

 

[goldenstar]

I plan to contact DARE and the grocery store, hopefully tomorrow.

On the surface, the table seemed legitimately sponsored by DARE. Luckystar, they were women-- I''m guessing in their 30''s.

There is no address or name on the reciept but there is a Customer Service number. I''m going to call it to get information on whatever company is in charge of this.

Just to be clear, it wasn''t two random people who set up a table. There''s definitely an organization behind this. I can''t believe there is a company that makes its living this way.

 

[swingirl]

My guess is not a penny is going to D.A.R.E. The are supported my corporate donations. And school districts usually purchase a D.A.R.E. program to be presented to their schools. I''ve had 2 kids get the DARE training in middle school and I was never asked for a donation or even made aware they were looking for donations other than vehicles donations.

Sorry you were taken. I like to make all my donations to organizations I''ve researched. Otherwise you do not know what percentage is going to the cause and how much is going to the CEOs.

 

[monarch64]

I got burned once in college (one of those magazine subscription scams when I lived in the dorms freshman year), and since then I only donate to charities I have sought out myself. Any phone, door-to-door, or otherwise solicitations I get, I tell them to give me something in writing for my consideration first. I NEVER donate without careful consideration first...beside the Salvation Army bell-ringers at their regular posts during the holidays. I''ve even begun to hear stories about those being scams....it''s a shame that you have to worry now about giving pocket change away to some idiot trying to pass themselves off as a volunteer. Sorry this happened to you, but so glad you posted about it. I''ve known a number of people in recent years who''ve been scammed through door-to-door sales and otherwise.

 

[perry]

Unfortunately, you do have to be very careful.

I have no problem with door to door solicitors... as long as they are in a girlscout/boyscout/cheerleading/etc uniform. I support the local youth organizations in their fundraising efforts. I used to do these kinds of things when I was a kid as well. I note that due to allergies I can no longer eat most of what is being sold; so I just donate.

But the youth has to personally ask me. I will not donate a penny to parents at work who are raising money for their kids by selling "whatever" for their kids. There is a great value in learning how to get out and knock on doors (I do note that most often I see small groups of people instead of individuals now: but the point is the same).

I do support the local lions club magic show and schriners circus via telephone contact (this is normally a purchase of tickets for disadvantaged kids). Not a problem. But, these are local events that I can see occuring - and while I believe that lions club hires some telemarketers, this is a case where they are paying the wages and phone cost directly and not some marketing company who keeps a fixed percentage. I also note that in my area I have twice had conversations with actual schriners when they have called. Part of being involved in that organization is doing substantial volunteer hours (and making phonecalls can be part of your involvment).

I am not interested in other telemarketing or most other mail fundraising. I do support several charities (and sponsor a child); but, those have been more by personal contact or personal reference.

Perry

 

[snowflakeluvr]

i am so sorry to hear about what happened. my older three children had wonderful DARE experiences through their catholic elementary school-they still talk about "deputy ralph" and are always happy to see him(as he is also) when we run into him. it''s just a great program for children. let us know what you hear hen you contact your local DARE.

 

[dragonfly411]

I do recommend contacting the local DARE and the grocery store they are soliciting outside of. This is misrepresentation! Others might be fooled by it as well and that is not right! When you call DARE maybe let them know that you are interested into donating just to them and maybe they should have a way to do that locally within the community. Good Luck and sorry this happened!!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Ugh, I would be just as furious! I try to avoid these types of solicitations like the plague...and I hate the ones that go door to door. I am the same way...unless it is for girl/boy scouts or school fundraising, I pass.

 

[CaptAubrey]

Date: 2/27/2008 6:46:02 AM
Author: perry
I have no problem with door to door solicitors... as long as they are in a girlscout/boyscout/cheerleading/etc uniform. I support the local youth organizations in their fundraising efforts. I used to do these kinds of things when I was a kid as well. I note that due to allergies I can no longer eat most of what is being sold; so I just donate.

The problem is that there are plenty of scams that employ kids and send them door to door. There have been a couple I know of that got busted after soliciting around my neighborhood or that prompted the local police to advise people not to have anything to do with them.

 

[tberube]

wow. that''s terrible.