Charity Christmas Cards From Harrods For Gain Not Charity

Following a small bit of griping I came out with several months ago about the wrong use of Charity on a few Charity Christmas Cards I was looking at a “Which” report today that took a swipe at the businesses that are using the phrase charity as a marketing gimmick instead of a statement of intent. Dame Hilary Blume who directs the Charities advisory trust said that unless at least 10% of a cards cost is given to Charity, it shouldn’t be allowed the title of “Charity”. My own view is I think the amount should be closer to 25% but Im not in a place where i have to be as guarded about my views.

A company in the best place to be charitable, “Harrod’s” came out at the bottom of Which’s survey giving the least amount from their cards to charity. Of the products they were selling gave back as little as 3.9% to charity and the highest % per pack was 10% which from my point of view I think isnt Charity at all. This bad decision in salesmanship led to Harrod’s being awarded the Annual Scrooge award by the charities advisory trust who looked at different stores during the final week of October and the beginning of November.

46% of the products on sale gave less than 5% to charity with a whopping 82% of Harrods Charity Christmas Cards packs giving less than 10%. The Georgy Porgy award for Greed was given to Cards Galore with the majority of the packs giving less than 10% and some giving as little as 4.7%. Charity exploiters beware we know what you are doing And you might well be getting one of these scathing awards if you don’t change your ways. Bah Humbugs!

Not to be completely negative there is some light on the horizon with some brilliant charities banding together to provide you with great Charity Christmas cards that give 79% of their earnings from every sale to the charities that so desperately need them. As with any findings like this, vote with your feet and look at the packs to see the amount you are donating to charity and if its not enough buy elsewhere (if they don’t tell you on the pack its probably because they don’t want you to know).