[mark joyce]

the reason I would not is because I have in the past done some work for a charity, got talking to a few people and found out that the same charity was paying 2 fund raisers over 100k each a year

[Neil Williams]

For Example;
When Mrs Jones is looking for a CC, they all look and do the same at similar prices to her, she does not know who to choose.What will sway her decision? do you think she will choose Same as Everyone Else Ltd or you who are linked and recommended by,just for example, a Breast Cancer Charity. She knows that by choosing you over the other mob means she is not only getting her carpets cleaned but will also be directly supporting that Breast Cancer Charity by appointing you.

I see a slight flaw in this idea, and it's that if someone thinks you do work for nothing that's not far off what they will expect to pay you. There are some nasty types out there who will use an opportunity if it suits them.
The thing with charities is that you have to check them out. There are some seriously unde funded groups who do great work (normally at local level), whilst there are some paying out huge sums in wages (nearly always nationally).
I see in our local paper that the towns Rugby Club (playing at just under profession level) have been given charitable status.......how and why?
Someone who we do a lot of work for on contract built a small school on his farm and managed to get charitable status for that......he's worth a reported £80m
So like I said check them out and be satisfied that in your own mind that you doing something good that means something to someone and not that they are pulling a fast one....a bit like the Church of England who constantly claim povity whilst sitting on vast amounts of property and land.

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

I answered no but only because it was the nearest answer. probably should have voted for the 3rd option but that's a bit of a cop out.

Hilton. To specifically answer your question no I probably wouldn't for the following reasons.
It's too freqent. Admittedly if you have nothing better to do then its a possibility but it may be an arrangement that you would soon tire of especially if other things came up.
Secondly, it's not just giving time and chemicals-it's also time that could have been spent earning money from a paying customer. So in effect a double cost to you.
Thirdly, using it as PR m.ay only work depending upon how high profile the charity is.
Fourthly, the charity may possibly have deep suspicions of your motives if you simply go in there offering "free".
Finally, I would imagine that high profile charities wouldn't wish to be seen having "exclusive" deals as it may compromise them-especially if you then go and embarrass the charity. If it's not a high profile charity-then looking for their "endorsement" may be a waste of time.
I list these simply as principles-obvioulsy a different decision may be arived at depending upon the specific circumstances.

Personally I prefer to work in a similar way to Doug. I can do freebies quietely, perhaps as part of an overall paying job.That's because I prefer to give rather than expect something back. I may also make an anomonous donation back to the charity. I have often "championed" charities to other people, raising the charity profile whilst not explaining why i am doing so. In effect I get paid for cleaning but then give free PR to the charity .

Don't know if that helps.

Rog

[gary hall]

Charity is in my opinion is a tricky one - if we are running  a business we must make a profit I get that ,  BUT we are human beings first and foremost - to give is to get- let me tell you a true story.

2006
Old lady phoned me up once wanted a  rug done (2m x 2m) - I thought its gonna take me longer to set up than it is to clean - charged a tenner - done clean ( took about 40 mins) - she then told me to sit down and have a sandwich - came out of the kitchen with a load to cucumber sandwiches and told me to tuck in while she gets the box!!!
Comes back with a huge box of old photos - and the conversation starts with :
"this is me and Sid in Brighton - he died in 1996 you know "
I was there for  about 4 hours  - was I being a business tosser yep !! didnt make a penny  that day but boy was I rich - it taught me that  a good deed (charity call it want you want) enriches the giver as much as the getter
PS
Next day  got a call from her son who runs a huge pub - said his mum had phoned him and that she was so pleased the job I did !!! and he thanked me for taking the time with her as unbeknown to me it was the anniversary of his dads death the exact day I did the clean - he asked me to take a look at the pub for cc - quoted - got job - cleaned pub every year since
PPS - old lady died in 2008 - but she changed my view on what is the true worth of a charitable act -
To you all remember  one word Karma !!

[Mike Halliday]

if any charity asked me to work for nothing I would politely tell them to get stuffed.


what an insulting and condescending thing to ask, would they ask their accountant, solicitor, plumber electrician...etc..etc  to come in fortnightly to work for free?...... absolutely no chance, but they think what we do is a hobby and we have nothing better to do( like earn a living to pay our bills & feed our children)

I actually work for lots of charities including a local hospice and not one of them has ever asked for a discount, they are professional business that are run the same way as any other company.

they way i contribute to their cuase is by doing what i always do...... the best clean possible, at a fair price.

[derek west]

charity begins at home, and thats where it stays in our house.

[Joe H]

I just done a quote for a charity shop carpet.
They not asked for a discount but I have given stated 20% off (what I deem to be a good rate for me) IF they agree to pay within 14 days of invoice.
Only put in quote Friday morning, not heard back yet but they want it done next Saturday afternoon.

[wynne jones]

Hilton

Go with your gut. No one on here can tell you what's right or wrong for you.

[craig partridge]

I tend to agree with Mike.

They are the charity not you.

If you want to do things for charity do it outside of your business!

[Bob Allen]

As alot of people have said we have all done it, but for me being a truck mount user every hour i spend running my machine could cost me £6-£7 i would happily give my free time if it didnt mean i was out of pocket, after all the person asking wouldnt come round your house and clean your van out for free would they, it is a slight miconception that they dont get paid as alot of them do.

[Fintan_Coll]

The only work I do not charge for is at my own local Church. I maintain the tiles in the aisle, something I take pride in. I often work in other Church buildings of various denominations but just charge my normal rate. The same applies to working on any charitable organisations property or premises.
At the same time I don't mind giving a good discount to any customer who genuinely cannot afford to pay the top rate. For example an old person living alone with no income apart from a small pension or a single parent trying to raise a child or two on their own and possibly out of work. You always know the deserving cases when you meet them. I always think good deeds should always be done quietly and without publicity.

[BEN DAVISON CLEANING]

got a call from my old village church the otherday.Havent been there for years.Anyway they have had a cafe/community room built on the side and wondered if i would do the carpet in there taking into account they are a local charity.Its about the size of a good lounge diner.
I couldnt do it for any less than £50 i told her and she was fine with this.I was also allowed to put my business cards behind the counter and i picked up another job from a friend of hers.

Would i do it for free every month though?Not a chance.They make money by renting the room out and from the cafe.I wouldnt ask for a free lunch if i was hard up and wouldnt expect one either

[Peter Sweeney]

I'm a yes but its for a charity shop that raises money for early birth units and there is a strong personal connection for me. I don't make a song and dance about it because it makes me feel good inside that I can help what I feel to be a very worthy cause and one that tends to only be supported by those affected by it.

Very much a horses for courses one but I certainly would'nt use it as a marketing opportunity as that is just damn right cynical. Good post highlighting how morals inevitably slip into our business life (as this is part of our every day lives) but I must point out that I am not pointing the finger as the "no's" as I get back (inside) as much as I put in.

[Steve Rothwell]

got a call from my old village church the otherday.Havent been there for years.Anyway they have had a cafe/community room built on the side and wondered if i would do the carpet in there taking into account they are a local charity.Its about the size of a good lounge diner.
I couldnt do it for any less than £50 i told her and she was fine with this.I was also allowed to put my business cards behind the counter and i picked up another job from a friend of hers.

Would i do it for free every month though?Not a chance.They make money by renting the room out and from the cafe.I wouldnt ask for a free lunch if i was hard up and wouldnt expect one either

which village is that Ben ??

[derek west]

i don't even go out and quote for charities anymore, charities know they'll get some numpty nice person to do it for newt and its not me so why should i waste my time. 

[Jim_77]

If somebody ASKED me to do a job for free I'd tell them where to go.  Don't think I've ever met anyone that brass-necked yet, not even a Yorkshireman!

However if I felt like not charging for something, that's a different story altogether (have done now and again).

As Mike says, charities are businesses, and their business is collecting YOUR money.  Their energy suppliers don't give them free electricity and gas, BT don't let them off their phone bill.  I won't let them off paying for having carpets & upholstery cleaned!

I don't get any sense of satisfaction or self-worth from ripping myself off

[Hilton]

Wow....... 85% would either do it or might with further information, you really are a charitable lot.

Many thanks for your input and I will take all your comments on board 

I am talking to the people later in the week, it's a bit more involved than I may have suggested but certainly worth looking at.

[Colin Day]

I must point out that "Shelterbox" didn't ask for a free clean. I did the clean and the very next day they sent their equipment and volunteers out to deal with the Earthquake Down Under, I felt compelled NOT to charge them when they do so much for others....

[Hilton]

Okay

Just to follow up on this, I had a meeting with a group who are intending to run a scheme in this country along these lines,

http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

It was a good meeting and we are to meet again, I am uncomfortable with the service being only for women angle as I know there are many men in the same boat but the intentions are genuine I believe and it something that will be discussed further.