As a vendor of The Big Issue, there are a set of stipulations that they must follow when trying to sell their copies of the magazine.
Firstly, a vendor is only allowed to sell the most recent copy of the magazine at the time they are selling. As well as this, they must display their Big Issue identification at all times whilst trying to sell copies, and only near an authorised pitch. A pitch is basically just where they sell their copies. The Big Issue is adamant on representing their vendors and themselves in the best way possible, so their vendors are usually not permitted to look as if they are under the influence of anything like drugs or alcohol. Also, they can't short-change people, meaning they must always give the right amount of change if needed.
By breaking any of these rules, The Big Issue can choose not to give you copies to sell, either temporarily or permanently. As well as this, The Big Issue insists that vendors are not to be seen as employees. However, The Big Issue also says that they are required to pass on information about you to agencies like the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and the HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs). Vendors must also consent to their information being shared from The Big Issue Group to The Big Issue Foundation, as well as any other 3rd party agencies to be able to asses a vendor's needs.
Vendors themselves will have many different ways of selling a magazine, depending on who they are as a person. Many of them like to use humour and fun to sell The Big Issue. Lots of people also like to use their experiences with homelessness or poverty to be able to sell. However they like to sell their issues, it couldn't be easier to start selling. The Big Issue gives new vendors five copies to sell, each at around £3. Vendors buy more of these copies for £1.50, making a profit of £1.50 each time they're able to sell a copy. There are no real restrictions on where you can sell, as long as it's somewhere busy enough to be able to actually sell something, except that it should probably be outside, or at least in an open area. So, no shops or restaurants, or any other kind of place where there is a separate business going on. Vendors can also go to many places to sell in one day, like up a street. They can also choose to remain stationary, all within their own working hours that they decide themselves.
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