Telemarketing Charity Calls

[tokenuser]

Just got off the phone from "Woodrow Wilson" (not his real name - I wasn't paying that much attention, but it sounded someting like that).

He was collecting for the North Carolina Fireman's Association.

So far, so good. I often donate to the local emergency services guys.

His pitch started with "Do you agree that the firemen and women perform a valuable and dangerous service to the community."

Hmmm. Red flag - this guy is reading a professional marketing speel. I am the tech guy consultant for the sales department of a software company, and I have read enough Marketing 101 books to knwo he is trying to play me. Time to reverse the tables.

Me: "Hangon. Quick question. Are you an employee of the NC Fireman's Association?"
Him: "No sir, I work for Clearskies Community Development." (or something like that).
Me: "So, how much of what I donate will go to the NC Fireman's Association?"
Him: "I will look that up for you ..." <typing heard in background>
Him (proud voice): "We guarantee that they will receive a minimum of 15% of all money collected."
Me: "So, the guy out fighting the firefires and risking there lives get 15%, while telemarketing firms such as yourself get 85% for sitting behind a desk risking papercuts. I think I will be donating directly to the firestation later this year."
Him: "Thankyou for your time." <click>

Wankers.

Coming into Christmas, it is getting to be the time of year when you get more of these sorts of calls. Rather than donating blindly, ask them point blank who they work for, and how much get passed onto the people they are collecting for.

This month I donated to the OC Emergency Rescue Service, last month it was the Anti Drug education program run by local police - but each of these went directly to the organisations the money was intended.

Sorry for the rant, and it probably doesn't belong here, but the dromies are a giving group of people - I just want to make sure you are giving to the right causes.

[diela]

The problem is, whatever marketing firm the organization has hired has already been promised a certain amount of money, and if this quota isn't met they probably have some kind of stipulation for an even bigger percentage. Either way they get screwed.

I used to get calls from the Policeman's retirement association, or somesuch, all the time. I always figured it was an outright scam... I mean, what better way to engender trust than to say it was for the Police?

[soundwave2-0]

token...where in NC are you?

[tokenuser]

token...where in NC are you?Are you planning on fire bombing me ;) ... cos the firemen wont come now I haven't donated.

Chapel Hill (Go Heels!)

[soundwave2-0]

nah...i am in sc and just curious where in nc u r.

i am in the spartanburg/greenville area.

[tokenuser]

nah...i am in sc and just curious where in nc u r.

i am in the spartanburg/greenville area.
Yeah - I noticed that. I ran a tracert on your IP address to see if you were near me :) ... bellsouth dsl.

[soundwave2-0]

nice...scary...but nice.

[masherscf]

I used to get a phone call every-year from a woman with a large speech impediment wanting to know if I wanted to buy light bulbs to help the handicapped. You would find yourself purchasing a light bulbs for about $10 a pop that cost about a buck at the local super market. Better yet, the woman on the phone isn't handicapped, she's faking a speech impediment and works for a company that donates 1% of it's profits to some tax-deductible handicapped charity.

Wankers indeed.


I don't make donations over the telephone. Even if I think the cause and fund raiser are valid. My wife and I donate a certain amount to particular charities each year and we don't feel bad about not giving money to bothersome telemarketers.

Of course, the guys on the phone pale in comparison to the guys you meet on the subway.

I was approached by a guy at a subway stop. He identified himself as a veteran and he need subway fare to make it to his job interview. I obliged and attempted to swipe my metrocard for him. He stopped me and asked for the cash so he could also get a subway back. I apologized and told him that I didn't carry cash in the subway. He smiled an moved on. I walked through the turnstile and another passenger spoke to me, "That was pretty smart, he got $5 from me yesterday..."

Panhandlers on the NYC subway can make pretty good coin if their story is convincing enough.