Tesco

Ever since the successful National collection w/e, I have been trying to get more dates. Whilst shopping today, bumped into the community colleague and 'reminded' him-end result, 8 collection days between next week & end of April.Perseverance pays off and looks like Tescos are becoming more responsive to approaches  

That's great news Tony - at one time they were very anti. Must be your sparkling personality  

Mega news there Tony - and a fine example of 'getting out there and doing it'.    Fund raising isn't done in an armchair or with the excuse 'I've been busy'.

I've said it many times; the rally isn't a 'jolly' across Europe - it is all about fund raising for H4H. If every crew 'does their bit' we're guaranteed to hit our target.

As for the comment re your sparkling personality - it signals to me grave concerns of the author's sanity   

I am still being given a form and told to contact the HQ! As it is the only supermarket up here I am a bit stuffed.
"Must be your sparkling personality" I am afraid very afraid, Magpie has finally fallen off the branch.

Well first day of the current batch completed. Just me,a banner,bucket and a few wristbands. Freezing foyer, gale force cold wind blowing through but £239.84 in the kitty-so well worth it 



Admin:   2000 bonus points for having a go

Well done Tony!  

Nice one Tony well done mate  

Great job there Tony. And also a MEGA thanks for picking up the baton, kindly offered by Sussex4Heroes, for Asda in Brighton. It's quite a distance for you to travel and so is massively appreciated. Neil/Michelle did well to get the booking. They'll be busy in Haywards Heath Sainsbury.   

Oh, if only all the rally crews did what you, Neil and some other crews are doing ie regularly collecting at supermarkets, we'd sail through that £200,000 target.

Following Tony's example, I contacted the local Tesco's (the only one) today, but once again I was told I had to contact the head office as the local store could not give me a slot!  
What is going on here, the rules seems to only apply in Scotland and the north of England.   
I got the same reply when I went to the co-op 20 minutes later, I had to get a date from their headquarters, who still have not replyed to my THREE previous requests to collect at their stores   
What do I do  
Puzzled of Caithness

Peter, my understanding is that for all Tesco stores,charity collection bookings must be made throughtheir appointed agents,who are totally unhelpful and in the past would not give any slots for H4H. However following on from the very successful official 'National' collection weekend, some local community colleagues are not following the rules and, locally giving out free slots. It would appear however that these,particularly in my case, are only for weekdays, weekends still having to be booked via the agency. I must say that since the national weekend, my local guy has been very helpful.
Suggest you get to know who your community colleague is and 'badger' them

I have every sympathy with you Peter. You are dealing with human beings - where some will be helpful and others won't stray from the rule-book.

As for writing - we've been down that road and had that same nil reply on to hundreds of letters we've sent out over the years. We no longer do that. Our advice is to visit the store, shopping mall, DIY shop etc. Speak with the Community Relations/Charity person and set out what you want to do and see if it can all be arranged locally. If 'referred' higher, get a name and phone number at HQ - and phone them. They in turn will no doubt ask for a letter - send it recorded to the named person; and if you've not got a reply after a week, phone them again.

There won't be a H4H/Tesco National w/e in 2014. There will be an H4H/Asda National w/e on 5/6July

Asda collection today went well(if not somewhat cold) £495.37 to add to the pot  

Yet another good day Tony - great result  

That's brilliant Tony - and even more so in that you picked up the Asda baton from Neil otherwise the pot would have been nearly £500 less. Ace job.   

Following on from this, I found that Tesco do publish contact details for local community teams online.

http://www.tescoplc.com/assets/files/cms/List_of_Commuity_Champions_June_2014.pdf

I nipped in to one store this evening, and while the community champion was out, knowing her name led to me getting her direct number and a better opportunity to establish comms. Will be pursuing this approach with Asda locally too.

After no response from letters I took into my local store, I sent a stern email of complaint to Tesco Head Office. Within 36 hours I had a collection date - ONLY 1 day, the Community Champion was a little 'Off' with me on the phone, maybe because she'd got a rollicking off the manager. She told me that she could only give out dates for 'free' during the month of December, any other time of the year you have to PAY for fundraising slots in the foyers. I will be taking this up with H/O - So I'll let you know the outcome.

Nice. I've had the run-around from mine, but put it on the back-burner for the tail end of next week to sort it as bogged down in end of year accounts. After that, gloves off, collection mode engaged!

That's the first I've heard about Tescos asking for payment re a charity. Keep us posted on that Simon.
We know some Tescos stores are easier than others - some ask you to contact an out-sourcing company which coordinates the Tesco brand name/charity collections. At other stores the CC seems to have more 'flexibility'
However, if you don't ask...........