Rosebud Plaza to change policy/regulations on Charity Stallholders

Dear Rosebud Plaza Centre Management,

We your consumers are petitioning you for change to your policy and better monitoring and response to the behaviour of those who run stalls for charities or products along the walkway of the Plaza.

We ask for consideration on the following matters:

1. That new regulations be drafted in relation to what behaviours stallholders are permitted to engage in when attempt to solicit business or donations from shoppers.
In the event that sufficient regulations already exist, we ask that measurable steps be taken to improve their enforcement.

2. That those regulations include strict and non ambiguous rules about not being permitted to approach customers. That stallholders be required to remain at their stall or table and must wait until approached by shoppers rather than stepping away from their stalls/tables and attempting to engage shoppers in unsolicited conversations with a view to pressuring them into entering contracts.

3. That in considering this petition Centre Management are made aware of some of the tactics employed by stallholders in soliciting customers/buyers. These include, but are not limited to:

a) standing in the path of shoppers
b) calling out to shoppers
c) repeatedly calling out to shoppers, following shoppers and attempting to engage with shoppers who indicate clearly that they are not interested in engaging in discussion at this time.
d) using unconscionable and bullying behaviour to coerce shoppers into both remaining in a conversation or signing up with their cause.
e) disregarding shopper remarks about being time poor, money poor or already signed up with said cause or business.
f) demonstrating a blatant disregard for the needs, goals and purposes of the shoppers visiting at the Plaza who have come to attend to other matters.

4. That in considering this petition Centre Management consider the unfortunate impact that the presence and actions of these stallholders is having on shoppers and neighbouring businesses. Their behaviour is not only destroying the credibility of their own brand, but also that of Rosebud Plaza, making your shoppers' experience extremely unpleasant. In many instances shoppers will avoid particular areas of the Plaza where the stallholders are known to be soliciting and such avoidance of those areas in turn impacts the revenue and economic viability of surrounding shops and businesses.

We your customers and tenants implore you to consider this petition and implement the necessary changes in regulation and action to ensure a positive experience for all.

With thanks