big issue seller

[heather]

thanks stec i did know but thought it better not to say it on here i am not out to criticize  him he just irritates me and quite a few others and wondered what the general opinion was

[stec]

I don't know if you know but this big issue seller drives a nice vauxhall vectra that he parks on Derby way car park, and he used to drive a Jag, an older one but still a Jag, that he parked behind Iceland. Some of the staff of Iceland used to get really annoyed as they would see pensioners feeling sorry for him and buy clothes from Mackays and hand them to him. 

[JMC]

I have bought and enjoyed reading the magazine but don't buy from him anymore as find him too pushy and in your face. It's annoying having to go on the other side to avoid him shouting things directly at you. I really think he would do better by not being so 'in your face'.

[doc]

Cripes and  Henrietta, well said.

[Cripes]

How depressimg is this thread, anyone would think he's not 'local'. For the love of god he's hardly stealing food from the mouths of babes is he?! He's selling something you have the option to buy or not and has a share of the proceeds. If you haven't read the Big Issue, it really is your loss as it's an excellent read.

[heather]

if you go on the big issue website it states its a hand up not a hand out and they are allocated a pitch, how long do people need a hand up for, and also if they are allocated a pitch Marple probably wouldn't support more than one pitch.

[My login is Henrietta]

this is my point amazon he seems to have made a living out of it  and yes we probably will get criticized for saying anything

And why should he not make a living out of it. Isn't that the point? At least it's honest.

[Dave]

I have often find his banter with customers on the verge of begging and a tad irritating.....I wish him well – it’s just his sales pitch that grates on me.

Me to.  I do buy the Big Issue from time to time, but not from that guy - too irritating! 

[doc]

I don't know where he lives, I haven't asked him. Haven't asked the fish seller or the people who sell mags in the newsagents or the people who sell flowers, fruit or any other commodity, all people who earn a living by selling something. I do hope they all manage to make a good living.

[marveld]

The last few times I’ve seen the chap selling the Big Issue he sounded ok, but I have often find his banter with customers on the verge of begging and a tad irritating. A couple of years ago I bought a copy, but the content was not really something I was personally interested in. Once identified as a potential regular customer I got a constant, “Big Issue?”, “No thanks”, “Please? Please?”, “No thanks”, “Come back later?”, “No thanks”.  Ask me once!!!  He did this endlessly for months until it got the point where I deliberately walked on the other side of the street and avoided eye contact. Don’t get me wrong, I wish him well – it’s just his sales pitch that grates on me.

[amazon]

this is my point amazon he seems to have made a living out of it  and yes we probably will get criticized for saying anything

I don't understand why this method of earning a living seems to cause you concern as it doesn't seem to be concern for his health, or the fact that he must get extremely cold and earn very little. There are many salespeople in Marple - earning a living. Perhaps I've read your post in the wrong way, it's hard to tell with the printed word. Maybe you are concerned that he hasn't managed to get a permanent job in more congenial surroundings yet. It's really hard to find work nowadays as you will appreciate.

  perhaps hes not trying to get permanent job maybe makes enough money as it is

he does live in a four bedroom house in didsbury .

[amazon]

this is my point amazon he seems to have made a living out of it  and yes we probably will get criticized for saying anything

I don't understand why this method of earning a living seems to cause you concern as it doesn't seem to be concern for his health, or the fact that he must get extremely cold and earn very little. There are many salespeople in Marple - earning a living. Perhaps I've read your post in the wrong way, it's hard to tell with the printed word. Maybe you are concerned that he hasn't managed to get a permanent job in more congenial surroundings yet. It's really hard to find work nowadays as you will appreciate.

  perhaps hes not trying to get permanent job maybe makes enough money as it is

[doc]

"The Big Issue exists to offer homeless and vulnerably housed people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income by selling a magazine to the general public." Quote from the Big Issue website. I've read through it and can't see anything about a shortage of pitches so the Marple seller won't be stopping anyone else from getting that vital hand up. Neither could I see anything about the job being time limited. The Big issue website is very interesting and informative.

[heather]

couldnt agree more with you pink panther my point  was that  big issue sellers move on to more permanant work and let some one else who needs help have their pitch and get a  helping hand, dont get me wrong i am all for people helping to improve themselves,  but they have made a career out of it  which is not what i thought it was about.

[Rachael]

correct me if i am wrong and no doubt some of you will but i was allways under the impression that big issue sellers used it as a stepping stone to a more permanent  job the chap that stands on market street has been there for years if its a steeping stone  its a hell of a big one

Try asking him.  Perhaps he's come a long way since starting selling the magazine, like Brian Rowe, navy veteran from HMS Cardiff who has sold it for five years and in the process no longer has to live on the streets.

My heart sank reading that article, its just so, so sad that someone so brave should be left to their own devices , I sincerely hope that the situation is different now for our people serving in the armed forces when they leave   .



As for the man selling the big issue