There was more than a hint of desperation at the RSPCA’s marque at this years Royal Canberra Show.
When I was walking into the show on Saturday with the family, they had several people approaching people passing by the marque asking if they wanted to buy something. One lady approached me and asked if I wanted “to buy a key chain or shirt and support the RSPCA?” Knowing I would soon be carrying show bags and a whole heap of stuff, I politely said “no thanks, maybe on the way out“. RSPCA does good work so I really did intend to return, I just wanted to keep my hands free for a while longer. Instead of accepting that, she walked after me and in a slightly raised voice (probably because of my increasing distance from her), prompted “or perhaps something for the kids, it goes to a good cause“. I replied “give it a rest, the hard sell only infuriates potential supporters“.
On our way out, we passed the RSPCA marque again and I briefly considered stopping by. However, as I walked, a different woman was out the front with a brown box calling out to passers by, “free RSPCA keyrings”.
Not only are the RSPCA (ACT) using pressure tactics to attract customers, they’re now giving away stuff that were assumedly purchased using our donations, donations made to help the animals… not fund $2 keyrings that aren’t selling. That and the frequent TV adds of late cry desperation. Very disappointing, I use to donate often, now I’ll donate elsewhere.