So I've just been to Office - the footwear shop. A successful trip really as I walked out with a pair of trainers on sale. Bonus.
Anyway, when I was in there paying for them the transaction went like this:
Cashier: "That's thirty-five pounds please."
Me: "There you go" [inserting card in to the reader.]
Cashier: "Would you like to donate one pound to Breast Cancer research?"
Me: "Me? Erm, no I wouldn't. Sorry."
Cashier: "That's thirty-five pounds then please."
There's something on their website here explaining their support for Breast Cancer Care and of course, I think it's great to support charities.
But here's my problem.
Office are a brand with (what I can count from their site) about 120 stores and concessions in the UK. I am a single human being on a single salary.
Aren't they in a better position to give £1 to charity instead of me?
You see, I walked into your store to give you money. If you ask me for more money without telling me what your side of the contribution is, I'm going to walk out in a negative state of mind. (And write a blog post like this!)
As it was I felt a little embarrassed being asked if I'd like to give the money to charity. Of course I want to give money to charity, that's why I run regularly for the British Heart Foundation and why I've signed up to the swearjar. But what I don't want is to be asked by a brand in front of other people. I might come across as unsympathetic or unfeeling. And I'm not.
So I have an idea Office. Let's see if you're up for it.
I'm not going to donate £1 with every purchase.
I don't want you to donate £1 for every pair you sell and make a profit on.
I want us both to team up together and every time you make a sale I want to donate 50p and I want you to donate 50p too. Let's do it together, not put pressure on either of us (and especially people who walk in who undoubtedly have less money than you.)
So come on Office - are you going to join with your consumers and work with them, or are you going to just ask them to make a contribution?
