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There was a lot of discussion recently about the economics of charities, and the % that actually goes to the intended recipient.

With that in mind, I thought I'd post about a nice idea the wife spotted today in Border Books. I think it was called The Giving Tree.

The idea is, they've got a Christmas tree with lots of name tags on it. You pick off a tag, and it has a kids name and age. The kids are all in care, and won't be looking forward to a particularly good Christmas.

You then pick an appropriate gift within the store, and pay for it at the till, whilst handing over the name tag you have chosen. The gift goes straight to the intended child.

So, no admin costs deducted from your donation.

Of course, Borders will be making their usual profit on the sale, but since they are running the scheme I can't see any objection to that.

It seemed like a nice idea to me, and a very direct way of helping someone less fortunate. Worth consideration if you are out doing some last minute shopping.

It's a lovely idea Div, but it still seems a bit mercenary if Borders don't contribute something too.

Seeing as they are not selling the book at cost, they are profitting from every sale.

unless they are giving all profit from books sold under this scheme, then I think its wrong.

I didn't check the small print to see whether they are contributing anything. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't.

The way I look at it is they are running the scheme, which is a contribution in itself.

Plus, if you think about it, even if I was to give the child the cash directly, it's only useful to them when they spend it, at which point a retailer or service provider somewhere is going to make a profit anyway.

I do understand your point of view though!

I suppose the admin involved in collecting the info on the kids, delivering the gift, displaying the tree in the shop etc. constitutes some sort of contribution in itself.

No more mercenary than a company that announces 1p from every chocolate bar sale will go towards such and such a cause.

Sounds like a sales driven promotion to me.  Getting staff to put up a tree and sell books doesn't count as doing their bit to me.

If they are actually donating something then fair enough, but if they are using disadvantaged children as an excuse to sell more, it's poor business in my opinon.

I'd like to think there is more to it and it's actually a good gesture by Borders.  I'd hate to think of a large company like them pulling a stunt like it sounds at first glance.

Off to investigate.....

I hope you are not the CEO of a multinational!

Seems like excellent business to me.

bad choice of words, excellent for business, bad for morality.

Sadly my company isn't a multinational, although we have shipped stuff to Scotland :D

Part of the reason I posted it on here was they were not making a big song-and-dance about it in the store. I didn't even notice it, my Mrs did.

PMSL

Why would this be wrong?

Even if they are taking profit, as long as it is transparent then surely this is a good thing.

They are a business after all and profit must be their first priority. If they can also help out in some charitable way than that's fine by me. Much better than spending money on promotions etc. where no charity benefits.

The london borders shops are working with help a london child something to do with capitol radio

I have done this as well....I also always do something with the pass the parcel thing that Richard and Judy ussually (or atleast used to) plug. you just buy a prezzie and drop it off...easy peasy and it does someone some good.

Borders don't make a huge profit off this actually, with all the admin and postage and all that. And I think most Borders actually donate most of the pure profit (after admin) to a childrens hospital local/ward to that borders..that's good enough for me.

I don't see anything wrong with this, especially as I unfortunatly now spend a fair few bob on christmas prezzies..might aswell give some of them to kids who will actually use them..as opposed to in laws who will chuck whatever you buy them out after a while anyways.