The bells remain the same, though
Some Salvation Army bellringers now take plastic:
Last year, the Salvation Army experimented with new buckets that were equipped with wireless credit card readers. In Colorado Springs, Colo., one of the two cities where they tried out the buckets, donations rose by $64,000, an 11% increase over the previous year. While only $5,000 of this came directly from credit cards, it seems likely that some of the increase in cash donations may also be a result of the machines. After all, with shoppers unable to fall back on the no-cash excuse, it’s harder to walk away.
This year, the Salvation Army has expanded the card reading bucket program to thirty cities. The machines, which take Visa, MasterCard and American Express, also allow no-fee debit card transactions. According to the charity, the machines tend to inspire larger donations; this may be partially due to the fact that they issue a receipt, which tax-savvy givers could apply to their deductions.
Da Goddess »
27 November 2009 · 12:16 am
I’m going to find a way to put a credit card reader on my arm. Instead of someone buying me drinks, I’ll just take a donation. heh
CGHill »
27 November 2009 · 12:35 am
I’m waiting for one of our local panhandlers — there were two today working opposite sides of the May/I-44 junction — to start taking plastic. I figure, they already have cell phones, so it’s probably just a matter of time.
The Oklahoman reported yesterday that we’re not getting the kettle terminals here. Yet.
fillyjonk »
29 November 2009 · 2:29 pm
I always wait to hear of the gold coins showing up in the kettles. (Or is that just a Chicago area thing?)
I dunno, for me, it feels more “real” to toss a fiver or a handful of change into the kettle as I walk by.