The big issue.....

archangel

archangel

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How do you go about getting a job with them? .....
I always thought the sellers were homeless vagabonds who were down on their luck...... the one I seen yesterday opened my eyes...... brand new pair of Nike trainers (I would say in around the £150 price range) and an IPhone......
 
If you ever get the chance, read a book called "A Street Cat Named Bob".
Apart from the fact that it's an excellent book, written by a formerly homeless junkie busker, there's an in-depth section about how the whole Big Issue network operates.
 
archangel said:
How do you go about getting a job with them? .....
I always thought the sellers were homeless vagabonds who were down on their luck...... the one I seen yesterday opened my eyes...... brand new pair of Nike trainers (I would say in around the £150 price range) and an IPhone......
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May be they are nicked ;)
 
Or donated.

or evilbay cheapo knock offs! :LOL:
 
Understand your thinking, Mike. Some years ago there was a Big Issue seller in Fleet Street. He was clean, well groomed, had no difficult relating to people and when the weather was bad had a very nice Berghaus jacket. I thought why is this bloke selling the Big Issue.

Dave
 
Like the one round here that drives to and from his pitch in a newish Merc !
 
Gremlin said:
Like the one round here that drives to and from his pitch in a newish Merc !
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they must be company cars then we got a woman seller up here that stands on a corner looking like a syrian refugee and i have seen her whizzing round town in a nearly new mercedes to
 
Never bought one and never will.
 
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On the other side, I always buy a big issue. I've done voluntary work with local homeless organisations and fully support any organisation that encourages people to work and gets them out of the downward spiral that makes people homeless.

You should buy a copy, chat to the seller, it's a good read and the people are interesting.
 
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Byker28i said:
On the other side, I always buy a big issue. I've done voluntary work with local homeless organisations and fully support any organisation that encourages people to work and gets them out of the downward spiral that makes people homeless.

You should buy a copy, chat to the seller, it's a good read and the people are interesting.
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I tried to talk to one once and he was only interested in the hard sell of the magazine.......maybe I will try again tomorrow
 
A lot of sellers have a regular patter, but if they've time for a chat it can be interesting.
 
Byker28i said:
On the other side, I always buy a big issue. I've done voluntary work with local homeless organisations and fully support any organisation that encourages people to work and gets them out of the downward spiral that makes people homeless.

You should buy a copy, chat to the seller, it's a good read and the people are interesting.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid most of our local vendors do appear to be Romanian. They speak little English other than "Big Issue, please". Still that's three words more than my Romanian, but hardly the basis for a meaningful dialogue.
 
The majority here seem to be Scottish. "Patter" seems to be "Free staples!" Not seen any vendors climbing into cars though and know where some of them sleep on the streets. Tend to give food and drink (soft) rather than cash.
 
Nod said:
The majority here seem to be Scottish. "Patter" seems to be "Free staples!" Not seen any vendors climbing into cars though and know where some of them sleep on the streets. Tend to give food and drink (soft) rather than cash.
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I give a homeless guy a sandwich once and he the it at me.......I suppose he didn't like tuna :D
 
Could have been worse - it could have been a can of beans!
 
chadders said:
I'm afraid most of our local vendors do appear to be Romanian. They speak little English other than "Big Issue, please". Still that's three words more than my Romanian, but hardly the basis for a meaningful dialogue.
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Exactly the same as here in North Kent. The only Big Issue sellers in four local towns seem to be Eastern European - assume Romanian because of features/accent.
 
andy700 said:
Exactly the same as here in North Kent. The only Big Issue sellers in four local towns seem to be Eastern European - assume Romanian because of features/accent.
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There's an English girl outside the Forum in Sitt. sometimes.
 
Anyone who stands in the cold all day selling big issues rather than sit at home collecting social and watching telly usually gets my vote.. I respect poeople who get off there backside and give it a go no matter how low the job is...

Buy your all putting me off now wiht talk of big fancy cars and more money than me :(
 
Spoke to the guy in town today.......he's from Romania......he was telling me that selling big issues give him a chance to get into self employment.....but he also works in a hotel when not selling on the street.......
 
Gary Coyle said:
No time for em, most in Leeds get the cash then straight into Wetherspoons for a session
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reminds me of "the underwear should not be worn outside the pants' song/rap from a few years back " i was going to give money to the homeless person but then i though no way he'll spend it on drugs and alcohol, then i realised that if I didnt i was going to spend it on drugs and alcohol so where's the difference "
 
I must admit I thought that The Big Issue's aim was to help the homeless. It appears that some, perhaps many, are not homeless.
 
maybe slightly off topic... and the poor girl is dead now - drugs - but used to sell the big issue, also used to beg - cunningly she used to beg by the cashpoints in the busiest area of town!

I've bought a coulpe of them, and have also chatted to a few homeless and not ashamed to admit, have taken a few candid pics but have also done the sarnie / coffee thing... many are ok. However like in every walk of life, the occasional git
 
chadders said:
I must admit I thought that The Big Issue's aim was to help the homeless. It appears that some, perhaps many, are not homeless.
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Nope. You don't have to be homeless to sell the big issue.
 
viv1969 said:
Nope. You don't have to be homeless to sell the big issue.
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I know. However the website is quite unequivocal:

"The Big Issue offers people who are homeless the opportunity to earn their own money." Very laudable, I'm sure.
 
chadders said:
I know. However the website is quite unequivocal:

"The Big Issue offers people who are homeless the opportunity to earn their own money." Very laudable, I'm sure.
Click to expand...

The site also says you can become an Issue vendor:

If you are:
  • Homeless or rough sleeping
  • In temporary accommodation
  • In danger of losing a home
  • Unemployed and facing financial crisis
 
viv1969 said:
The site also says you can become an Issue vendor:

If you are:
  • Homeless or rough sleeping
  • In temporary accommodation
  • In danger of losing a home
  • Unemployed and facing financial crisis
Click to expand...


My application is in......
 
viv1969 said:
The site also says you can become an Issue vendor:

If you are:
  • Homeless or rough sleeping
  • In temporary accommodation
  • In danger of losing a home
  • Unemployed and facing financial crisis
Click to expand...

Well I suppose they have to have a reason, and the numbers, to stay in business
 
But the ultimate question in this thread,
Is it really such a big issue?


Ok Ok I'm going :coat:
 
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