Home › Forums › Open Discussion › West Seattle PCC “Real Change” Vendor
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January 20, 2009 at 8:49 am #655253
AnonymousInactiveI quit shopping at the West Seattle PCC after repeated instances of preferential treatment of those waiting in line. Once, the manager opened up a register specifically to service a fellow employee, then tried to quickly close the register.
PCC West Seattle was cool until approx. the late 1990’s and/or when PCC essentially discontinued membership. Since then, I have been eagerly waiting for a West Seattle Whole Foods, except lately, I have been happy going back to my old habits: cheap food.
January 20, 2009 at 4:06 pm #655254
JoBParticipantCharley…
Have you ever heard anyone else refer to their job as a good gig.. or make any other favorable comments about the job they were so lucky to land?
Her job is like any other… she gets out of it what she puts into it… and unless she works hard she doesn’t get paid.
as for what she does and doesn’t report on her taxes.. what makes you assume she doesn’t report her tips?
Is she less trustworthy than the guy who lives down the street from you and pushes his IRS exemptions past all bounds of reality so he can afford that boat.. or golf.. or… ????
If she wasn’t providing a service than people found worthwhile she wouldn’t be in business and if she wasn’t doing it well, she wouldn’t be getting tipped for her service.
If you don’t want to patronize her, simply walk past on your way into the store…
that is, unless you complain about every vendor who sells in front of the store.. including those cute little girl scouts…
January 20, 2009 at 7:02 pm #655255
KatherineLParticipantYvonne wasn’t/isn’t a gantlet you have to cross to get into PCC. In fact, she sits far enough from the door, you have to walk out of your way to buy a newspaper. And if that’s not enough for you, go in the other door. She sits out there in all weather, including weather I’m uncomfortable just walking from my car. She always has a smile. She doesn’t try to guilt trip you like the man outside Safeway. If you don’t give her money, she smiles and waves anyway. If she makes enough to have an apartment by doing something I’d hate to do, good for her.
January 20, 2009 at 10:03 pm #655256
JoBParticipanti spoke with yvonne today who is teary eyed at the support she got.
3 years ago, she was homeless and had lost all hope.
Today, she is an american success story.. an independant contractor with a successful business she enjoys…
She feels part of something… like she makes a difference.. and it’s clear from the people walking up today to give her a hug while they bought their paper.. she does make a difference…
now, if someone would only make her day by bringing her a printout of obama’s speech…
she missed it this morning…
January 21, 2009 at 1:53 am #655257
JeannieParticipantThanks for the update, JoB. I don’t buy the paper, but I do say “hi” to her. If some people can’t handle a pleasant person outside the PCC, just think of her as a greeter – like they have at the dreaded Wal-Mart – and say hi. If you don’t want to buy the paper, she won’t bite you.
January 21, 2009 at 8:42 am #655258
charleyMemberI am glad to see that I am not alone. I spoke up to the management today. I agree with JT-just because we don’t like being stopped, asked, etc when we walk in, we have a right to our voice.
I think there is a lot of misplaced guilt/liberalism in W.Seattle. By giving Yvonne a dollar she pockets, you assuage underlying guilt. I will continue to voice my opinion to the managers. I really would appreciate seeing twenty vendors over one I am obliged to smile back at, ignore or whatever. I don’t need a greeting, I don’t shop at WalMart. I have things to do and I don’t like being obligated to respond just to get in to buy groceries.
January 21, 2009 at 8:45 am #655259
charleyMemberBy the way, check out her phone. If she needs to see the proceedings today, she could access the internet from her phone. She could take the day off-PCC doesn’t owe her and neither do we! President O said today that we need to take more personal responsibility.
January 21, 2009 at 1:55 pm #655260
MagpieParticipantHey Charley,
By continuing to voice your opinion to managers at PCC, maybe you’ll get asked to leave to. Isn’t getting your point across once enough? This whole thread had a lot of assumptions in it to start with, then some facts. There’s also freedom of choice to go wherever you don’t feel hassled. I’ll keep going to PCC where I often shop and have never given her any $. I”ll just pleasantly say “no thank you” and go about buying my groceries.
January 21, 2009 at 5:12 pm #655261
angelaParticipantI must give credit to Yvonne for not only being able to scam money out of so many people in the neighborhood, but she’s also able to make you feel good about it in the process.
Congratulations for supporting someone that could work, but rather chooses to add zero value to society.
January 21, 2009 at 5:21 pm #655262
AnonymousInactiveI don’t know about the facts part. No one from PCC has had a say here yet. And again with the negative accusations. We just can’t handle pleasant people or we feel hassled. Which is is?
The point has always been, we don’t care for solicitors of any any stripe at the entrance to a business establishment. It is called a preference.
And like every other topic on here, if you don’t agree with the majority, you are demonized. I’m a big fat liberal, but Charley is so right.
“I think there is a lot of misplaced guilt/liberalism in W.Seattle.”
If it was a Jehovah Witness with their Watchtower magazine the tune would immediately change.
January 21, 2009 at 5:47 pm #655263
datamuseParticipantI have to admit that I mostly go to PCC for their bulk soaps and shampoos. I’d like to comparison shop but don’t know of anywhere else in West Seattle or White Center that does this.
January 21, 2009 at 7:56 pm #655264
JoBParticipantsome of you may not approve of the job that she was able to find… but it is a job.. not panhandling…
and it is what she was able to find.
if she makes a living, it is because she works for that living…
those who give her a dollar don’t give her anything but the price of her paper… which by the way… is worth the price paid…
you might want to read it before judging.
yes, she makes a profit on every paper… that’s true of all businesses.. small or large.
And she receives tips… as do a great many of the independent contractors all of us patronize… and many of those employed at minimum wages… including the people who work at the news stand in Pike Place market…
Do you purchase their products or services… or tip them out of guilt? Probably not.
Getting someone fired just because you think they make too much or aren’t working hard enough or just plain don’t approve of them having a job is pretty petty.
I hope you never find yourselves in her circumstances…
January 21, 2009 at 9:32 pm #655265
acemotelParticipantI buy the Real Change newspaper every time I pass a vendor. Who the *** are you to judge whose contribution to society is more valuable? What do Starbucks baristas add to society? what about futures traders? commodities traders? sandwich-makers? insurance brokers? sheeesh. I honor anyone who makes a choice to be honorably employed. I don’t shop at PCC, but I will certainly stop by now, just to see this woman.
January 21, 2009 at 9:45 pm #655266
JoBParticipantacemotel…
for best value.. check out their bulk items…
and… they do have organic valley milk processed in the northwest…
i haven’t checked the rest of their organic valley products…
January 21, 2009 at 9:53 pm #655267
angelescrestParticipantHow interestingly this thread has veered…I am musing.
I do think if Real Change (and I buy it, and sometimes I read it) helps the homeless or those close to homelessness, than it’s for the good. I also admit to feeling a twinge of guilt if I don’t buy it, so I do: generally my youngest takes a dollar and buys it from Yvonne. And, I have to admit that sometimes–e.g.later at night–I have felt relief when she’s not there–and I suppose that’s the guilt or obligation I feel. (I also was concerned when I saw she was missing…)Perhaps it’s the guilt of knowing I have a car and a home and a family AND a job that does not subject me to the scrutiny of others. Maybe I just want to be let alone with my thoughts/errands, and it’s yet a disruption in an otherwise hectic life–whether I buy it or not, it’s that feeling!
As for PCC, I love the store. If you know how to shop it, you can cook healthily/heartily for less and NOT contribute to to the trash heap. The cashiers, however, can be totally attitudinal (dour, dismissive); some are always gracious. That’s life.
January 21, 2009 at 11:28 pm #655268
KeithMemberI wonder if these same people who are so offended at the mere presence of someone offering something for sale also avoid stores and situations where someone is hawking something with a free sample, such as the legions of Costco drones wielding toothpicked meatballs, or the demo chefs at Met Market, or those oppressive vendors at the Farmers Markets, always trying to get us to try their delicious apples and cheeses and suck the money right out of our wallets.
Damn them and their annoying, in-your-face sales tactics! Such an affront to the senses! How DARE they?!?!
January 21, 2009 at 11:56 pm #655269
beachdrivegirlParticipantKeith I dont think you are making accurate comparisons. What makes me uncomfortable is when someone is asking me for money. it makes me even more uncomfortable when they can see what groceries or items i have purchased. I myself go out of the way to avoid the Real Change vendor @ the doors of stores b/c I dont want to talk to them or face them.
January 22, 2009 at 12:01 am #655270
IrukandjiParticipantLooking someone in the eye and saying ‘No, thanks’ can be a REAL challenge, eh? How about, ‘Not interested in the paper, but could I buy you a sandwich?’
January 22, 2009 at 1:21 am #655271
BarbGMemberIrukandji, so you are saying that because I don’t want to buy a paper from someone I should instead buy them a sandwich?
BDG, JT, I’m with you. I don’t want to have to feel guilted bcause I don’t buy a paper, or a cookie from a girl scout, or something from anyone standing outside of a store.
January 22, 2009 at 1:25 am #655272
JenVMemberno one can “make” you feel anything. If you feel guilt, that’s on you.
I don’t shop at PCC, but on the rare occasion I go to Jefferson Square Safeway I will usually end up buying a Real Change if I have a dollar. It’s an interesting paper, and I feel good supporting a business venture that gives people a job – not just a handout.
Bottom line – and it really is just that simple – don’t buy it if you don’t like it or don’t agree with their business practice.
January 22, 2009 at 1:31 am #655273
AnonymousInactiveYou can buy me a sandwich. According to the article posted earlier, a couple thousand in cash profit a month is more than I have.
Keith, as BDG said, completely different comparison. None of your examples are stationed at a entrance you must pass through to shop. You choose to walk over and sample or listen. And they could really care less if you eat their meatball or not. They get paid all the same. Plus, I’m actually going to that store to purchase food. Food samples are appropriate.
Also, according to Real Change’s own website, anyone can be a vendor. Anyone. There’s no income limit or homeless status whatsoever required. It’s a job that has a take home wage of more than anyone working for minimum. So I hope everyone tips their barista and food preparer in equal proportions.
January 22, 2009 at 1:48 am #655274
beachdrivegirlParticipantThanks Barb that is the bigger point. You shouldnt have to pass any person girl scout or real change vendor to get into a store that you need to get into. And IMO feeling guilty is just a sign of compassion..
January 22, 2009 at 2:18 am #655275
angelescrestParticipantYes, BDG, it may be that. There are so many people (and animals) who/that need assistance; very tough to say no to some, yes to others. Do I give to the cat fund–and what about the shoe-fund? The Real Change vendor at the PCC; what about the vendor at the UW bookstore? The guy on the Dearborn exit? Sierra Club or Cystic Fibrosis? Breast Cancer or Save the Children?
Just how close do I push myself to my own financial limits to give to others? For me, close; just a persnal thing. And, sure, if we/you can afford an extra sandwich for someone who might want one–great. There are lots of people deserving of a sandwich.
I just have to reconcile why I’d rather avoid a newspaper vendor in front of a store.
January 22, 2009 at 2:31 am #655276
KeithMemberI stand by my comparison!
JT, as you point out, Real Change vendors are not panhandlers. They’re selling a product. Same with the people offering samples. They’ve got the product right there and they want you to buy it.
I had a friend who gave out samples of pie at grocery stores, and her income was tied to the number of pies that were sold. She was working inside the store as a vendor. What’s the difference between her and a Real Change vendor outside?
It can’t be just that Real Change vendors aren’t selling food. Ever notice all those magazines by the checkout counter? Or the newspaper stands? Are those also not appropriate?
And what if a vendor was stationed right by the section that I “need” to shop in? I guess if I’m like some people having problems dealing with this simple, everyday situation, I could avoid the meddlesome vendor by going all the way around to the opposite end of the aisle and sneak up behind them out of their probing, invasive eyesight.
Or I could just say “no thanks” and not have a nervous breakdown about it.
January 22, 2009 at 2:35 am #655277
angelescrestParticipantNervous breakdown? Perhaps we could discuss w/out hyperbole? Maybe our comfort zones/levels of compassion or guilt/consciences/financial status zing differently, and thereby we act and feel differently.
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