Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

A popular Honiton Big Issue vendor is the latest to offer cashless payments

Andrew McGarry has made the switch to offer card payments alongside cash, with the help of a card reader and PayPal

Andrew McGarry

Big-hearted Big Issue vendor Andrew McGarry has become the latest vendor to offer cashless payments after investing in a card reader.

The 52-year-old seller, who is now selling the magazine at Lace Walk in Honiton after moving from his pitch near Cathedral Green in Exeter, spent £30 to buy the device earlier in May.

He was inspired by Bristol vendor Robin Fabian, who hit the headlines in February after becoming the first to offer the payment option.

Andrew McGarry
Andrew-McGarry
Vendor Andrew McGarry has attracted attention for his fundraising and charity work

Andrew insists he is encouraged by his first few days using the reader.

“I read about vendors getting card machines in The Big Issue and managed to get one on special offer on eBay for £30 down from £69 I think,” he said.

https://twitter.com/thebigissuevend/status/999303344001900545

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“It takes about one to two hours to charge and works with your phone and it is very secure too – you don’t receive any details and the customer also gets a text confirming the transaction.

“I’m using PayPal for my mine, I’m not sure that is the case for other vendors, but that means there is no two-day delay, the money goes straight into my account so it’s a good system.”

Andrew has become a pillar of the community in Devon and he received the Friendly Community Together Gong at last year’s Devon Community Honours awards.

Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission

Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.

As well as marking his role as a vendor, the seller also contributes to charity and fundraising work in the region and has donated £500-worth of clothing and resources to local homeless shelter St Petrock’s.

https://twitter.com/BigissueAndrew/status/998589241700552704

Andrew’s community focus has also seen him attend the Houses of Parliament in Westminster as a guest of The Big Issue founder John Bird last year, as well as giving a talk on homelessness with Bishop Martin Shaw at Exeter Cathedral.

And he is relishing the chance to offer an additional way to pay to make his regulars’ lives easier.

https://twitter.com/BigissueAndrew/status/999164592910675968

“At the end of the day, if I am able to sell 15-20 more magazines then it is worth it,” added Andrew, whose charitable efforts also extend to supporting St David’s Church soup kitchen in Exeter.

“I’m not sure it will see me double my sales or anything like that but it is an extra option for customers. It’s good thing to offer and I think it very much depends on the vendor how much you will get out of it.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

There’s more than one way to make a difference

Big Issue vendors need you more than ever this Christmas.

Recommended for you

View all
TikTok is cutting human moderators in favour of AI. Fired workers are fighting back 
Image of a hand holding a phone
Technology

TikTok is cutting human moderators in favour of AI. Fired workers are fighting back 

Sophie Morgan: 'We need to be able to make this country inclusive for everybody'
Sophie Morgan, writer, broadcaster and disability advocate.
PM For The PM

Sophie Morgan: 'We need to be able to make this country inclusive for everybody'

The Renters' Rights Act made it illegal to reject tenants on benefits. But it's still happening
Members of ACORN Leeds community union protesting discrimination against tenants in receipt of welfare benefits
Renting

The Renters' Rights Act made it illegal to reject tenants on benefits. But it's still happening

A bit of Beethoven can ensure we’re not deaf to the dangers of falling into poverty 
An 1820 portrait of Beethoven by Joseph Karl Stieler
John Bird

A bit of Beethoven can ensure we’re not deaf to the dangers of falling into poverty