Lack of Poppy Sellers?

**NewbishDelight** · 02-11-2009, 21:56

Well, ULOTC has been all over King's Cross, St. Pancras and Euston for the last week and a day (not sure about weekends though) and the response has generally been excellent. Excepting this evening (when there were something like twenty of us out due to a scheduling mix-up) people have been filling our tins pretty quickly.

I was outside King's Cross last week and had four or five twenties go into my tin in the space of about an hour, and other sums from all kinds of people you wouldn't normally expect. All ages, all kinds of lifestyles (from what we could see - ranging from old chaps in barbours and tweeds to teenagers with a dozen piercings), all kinds of budgets.

On of our guys at Euston this evening (covering the tube) filled three tins in about two hours.

Response seems to be pretty damn good.

Mind you, this morning at Euston I was amazed at the number of people commuting in who hadn't seen a seller anywhere at home.

**Bowser-Mong** · 02-11-2009, 21:57

Originally Posted by WasMe

I gave my name, address and telephone number to the RBL lady at at the Aldershot Army Show so that I could sell poppoes this year.

I haven't heard nothing yet, and am yet to see a Poppy Seller in my area!

Maybe they want people to sell poppies and not poppoes? Just a thought....

**arclight999** · 02-11-2009, 22:56

Originally Posted by NewbishDelight

Well, ULOTC has been all over King's Cross, St. Pancras and Euston for the last week and a day (not sure about weekends though) and the response has generally been excellent. Excepting this evening (when there were something like twenty of us out due to a scheduling mix-up) people have been filling our tins pretty quickly.

I was outside King's Cross last week and had four or five twenties go into my tin in the space of about an hour, and other sums from all kinds of people you wouldn't normally expect. All ages, all kinds of lifestyles (from what we could see - ranging from old chaps in barbours and tweeds to teenagers with a dozen piercings), all kinds of budgets.

On of our guys at Euston this evening (covering the tube) filled three tins in about two hours.

Response seems to be pretty damn good.

Mind you, this morning at Euston I was amazed at the number of people commuting in who hadn't seen a seller anywhere at home.

Having travelled through Kings X twice today, I was most impressed by the presence of the OTC. Not only were they well turned out, and professional, but they were also engaging with the public (trust me I know, we missed our second train and had an hour wait, watching a very competent team).

What was most impressive was watching several individuals moving "posts" to be in the most prominent positions for passengers disembarking from arriving trains..... (Mrs Arclight999 typing this bit as MrA is on the wine mission!!)

**DodgerH** · 02-11-2009, 23:09

I was out last Thursday in Widnes (Morrisons) and again this Thurs,Fri and Saturday selling Poppies.
The people of Widnes have been most generous and we were filling tins by the hour.

**BlasterBates** · 02-11-2009, 23:35

Just a simple question - slightly 'off track' but needed to possibly increase RBL financial cash flows tomorrow when I stand in the rain selling the Poppy outside the Coop.
To increase the sympathy vote do I
(a) wear a beret/hackle
(b) wear my Vets badge and medals
(c) tell all and sundry that 'Jnr' is currently due back from Afghanistan next week.

or as usual do I just chat up the ladies ?

**Bowser-Mong** · 02-11-2009, 23:41

Originally Posted by BlasterBates

Just a simple question - slightly 'off track' but needed to possibly increase RBL financial cash flows tomorrow when I stand in the rain selling the Poppy outside the Coop.
To increase the sympathy vote do I
(a) wear a beret/hackle
(b) wear my Vets badge and medals
(c) tell all and sundry that 'Jnr' is currently due back from Afghanistan next week.

or as usual do I just chat up the ladies ?

Wear your headdress and medals as per norm. Tell people your boy is coming home. Chat up the birds if they're old enough..... ie 50 plus

**biffins-bridge** · 02-11-2009, 23:41

Originally Posted by BlasterBates

Just a simple question - slightly 'off track' but needed to possibly increase RBL financial cash flows tomorrow when I stand in the rain selling the Poppy outside the Coop.
To increase the sympathy vote do I
(a) wear a beret/hackle
(b) wear my Vets badge and medals
(c) tell all and sundry that 'Jnr' is currently due back from Afghanistan next week.

or as usual do I just chat up the ladies ?

Definitely seem to get a better response when wearing medals and veterans badge, it seems to draw a few people in for a chat who end up giving perhaps a bit more than they would otherwise. I donâ€™t bother when doing door to door though only when static collecting. Canâ€™t comment on wearing a beret as I havenâ€™t got one any more.

**Dashing_Chap** · 03-11-2009, 00:39

I'm proud to claim the title of 'poppy seller' this year.

~DC

**plaster** · 03-11-2009, 08:07

Originally Posted by Dashing_Chap

I'm proud to claim the title of 'poppy seller' this year.

~DC

well done,, put a plaster on your finger,,,,saves holes being where there not spoz to be..

the new stick on poppys are good for plastics and leather... DONT even try to put a pin in a leather coat.

hope your tins fill fast and your spot is wind and rain proof.

**sfub** · 03-11-2009, 08:19

Since last Monday, there have been two of us stood down at the Gosport Ferry. I'm a mere 40 years old with a measly 5 medals, but the other fella is a 60-odd year old ex 63(SAS)V Sigs bloke, complete with beret, blazer, badges and medal. He had filled 15 boxes by yesterday. He's loving doing it, it's the first time he's done it, and I think he'll struggle with not having something to do after Sunday! He has also remarked how much the public it has restored his faith in human nature. Right, off for my hour before work; if you see me, you know what to do!

**Mikal** · 03-11-2009, 08:26

Was at Tesco Shoreham yesterday. Usual collectors there with an interesting tale to tell.

At theTtesco car park they have a group of East Europeans doing car cleaning all day every day. One of them is a Pole. He is putting in all his tips. Why? because of the way his family (grandparents) were looked after during the war by the UK. Apparently the amount he'd put in at the point I had the chat with the collectors it was reckoned he'd nearly met all the other donations so far that day.

Oh and this area has been crawling with people wearing poppies for a couple of weeks.

**Alba58** · 03-11-2009, 08:29

Originally Posted by sfub

Since last Monday, there have been two of us stood down at the Gosport Ferry. I'm a mere 40 years old with a measly 5 medals, but the other fella is a 60-odd year old ex 63(SAS)V Sigs bloke, complete with beret, blazer, badges and medal. He had filled 15 boxes by yesterday. He's loving doing it, it's the first time he's done it, and I think he'll struggle with not having something to do after Sunday! He has also remarked how much the public it has restored his faith in human nature. Right, off for my hour before work; if you see me, you know what to do!

Yep! Did it during the week..and you're both doing a great job

be a bit breezy today mind you!

**plaster** · 07-11-2009, 08:35

sat was my last day,,, only one asked me what the badge was :(... and he said he had been on this site a few years back..the oaks has as allways proved to be a goldmine, we sold out of stock friday night and had to borrow poppys to sell..

**verticalgyro** · 07-11-2009, 10:18

There was an ex-sapper and an ex-crab at Morton Park Morrisons Darlington last week. I stopped for a paper at around 0900, bought a poppy, dropped some cash and had a chat with the guys. The Sapper (who wasn't a day under 80) took great delight in taking the p1ss out of the fact that I was REME. Great to see the banter is still there.

I had to nip in for some milk later (bad admin I know) and they were still there...probably about 1900. Good on you lads.

**zazabell_012** · 07-11-2009, 10:39

Originally Posted by Alba58

Originally Posted by sfub

Since last Monday, there have been two of us stood down at the Gosport Ferry. I'm a mere 40 years old with a measly 5 medals, but the other fella is a 60-odd year old ex 63(SAS)V Sigs bloke, complete with beret, blazer, badges and medal. He had filled 15 boxes by yesterday. He's loving doing it, it's the first time he's done it, and I think he'll struggle with not having something to do after Sunday! He has also remarked how much the public it has restored his faith in human nature. Right, off for my hour before work; if you see me, you know what to do!

Yep! Did it during the week..and you're both doing a great job

be a bit breezy today mind you!

You guys are great, you volunteer your time for a worthy cause. and have my complete respect

Here in my area of Western Australia poppy sellers are as rare as hens teeth. However, my work colleage and I managed to spot one the other day. He was a Vietnam vet, who gave us a few stories about his time in SE Asia. He ended up getting all my winnings from Tuesday's Melbourne cup and a hug