I'm so disgusted....

[Sarahnn]

Every day when I'm going about my business I get at least one call from some charity/relief fund asking for money. There are hundreds that call over the span of a year.

I am not a stingy person...but I am in a good frame of mind at home. It's my refuge. A place where I can determine from one moment to the next what my plans are and how to handle my affairs.

When the phone rings, bam. It's some needy cause that wants a pledge. I tell them that I consider all requests through the mail. They tell me that they would just like an idea how much I could give. $5? $10 $20 etc etc etc...

I tell them I don't know until I get the request with my monthly bills and see what I can do. They ask if they can put me down for the minimum so they can keep better track of how much they are receiving.

By now a good five minutes has gone by. Multiply that by about five calls a week, (sometimes more), 52 weeks a year X at least 5 minutes a phone call filled with someone pleading for some sort of financial aid.

I consider this intrusive and I hate hanging up on charities but I can't give to them all and I don't want to spend even one minute of my precious time explaining why.

I'm willing to receive and consider the offer through the mail, it's not good enough. I just got another call from a prevously unknown charity. We played out the same old 5-10 minute routine. My stomach is in knots.

[blebs]

Come over to my place. Collection agencies calling at least 5 times a day and now some moron with no number is calling my cell phone too. I'm not wasting money to answer and ream them.

[Sarahnn]

Come over to my place. Collection agencies calling at least 5 times a day and now some moron with no number is calling my cell phone too. I'm not wasting money to answer and ream them.

Charities are difficult to diss. Collection agencies, I'd feel free to exercise free speech.

[YARDofSTUF]

Grow a pair and hang up on them.

[blebs]

Charities are difficult to diss. Collection agencies, I'd feel free to exercise free speech.

I get the charities too, but thought you might like a change of venue.

[Sarahnn]

Grow a pair and hang up on them.

Oh dear......I don't think I could bring myself to do that. I mean I could try.

[Sarahnn]

I get the charities too, but thought you might like a change of venue.

I used to know a collector. He was meaner than a wildcat on the job. It might be fun going head to head with a collector, but I'd rather pay my five bucks a month towards the debt than mix it up.

I mean, after all, I got you guys to get my blood boiling.

[YARDofSTUF]

If I dont know who is calling, and they sound like a sales pitch of any kind, I hang up on them. Theres only a small window for people to change my mind about hanging up on them.

What I donate to charities and which ones I pick aren't affected by an annoying call so it has no bearing.

[PsykoPenguin]

I started a charity of my own. It's called "Penguin Liberation Front". We liberate penguins, now donate to our cause pl0x.

[YARDofSTUF]

I started a charity of my own. It's called "Penguin Liberation Front". We liberate penguins, now donate to our cause pl0x.

What distinguishes you from PETA, other than focusing on 1 animal?

[PsykoPenguin]

What distinguishes you from PETA, other than focusing on 1 animal?

we have e-cookies?

[YARDofSTUF]

Not good enough!

[Sarahnn]

If I dont know who is calling, and they sound like a sales pitch of any kind, I hang up on them. Theres only a small window for people to change my mind about hanging up on them.

What I donate to charities and which ones I pick aren't affected by an annoying call so it has no bearing.

Well, that makes sense to me. Thanks for that angle.

[Humboldt]

Well, that makes sense to me. Thanks for that angle.

Similar to what YOS does, just not as rude, more a combination of your approach and his.

I'm polite, I give them a few seconds and cut them off if they're still running at the mouth.

If they'd like to send me something by mail I'd be glad to take a look at it, but otherwise they're SOL.

If they keep talking after that I hang up on them. Most of the time they thank me for my time, we tell each other, "Have a good day", and it only wastes 20 seconds of my time.

[Miggs]

Grow a pair and hang up on them.

Class act, let me guess, single ?

[YARDofSTUF]

Class act, let me guess, single ?

Ya, I can't settle down with just one charity.

[OSULLY]

Screen your calls with caller ID?

[Sarahnn]

Similar to what YOS does, just not as rude, more a combination of your approach and his.

I'm polite, I give them a few seconds and cut them off if they're still running at the mouth.

If they'd like to send me something by mail I'd be glad to take a look at it, but otherwise they're SOL.

If they keep talking after that I hang up on them. Most of the time they thank me for my time, we tell each other, "Have a good day", and it only wastes 20 seconds of my time.

Ha! Maybe I'll use the 20 second rule. But I hear ya.

[Sarahnn]

Screen your calls with caller ID?

So, if I don't know the number, I shouldn't answer? I don't know. Is getting caller ID worth it? I never tried it.

[jeremyboycool]

If you are not interested you are probably doing the caller a favor by just hanging up, instead wasting their time. Not a rude hang up but just a simple click. However, if you want them to stop calling, then you need to ask to be removed from their calling list. It may not seem to make any impact at first but keep asking and it should help. Putting yourself on the national DNC list could help as well. This will not effect all charities, as some are exempt, but it should help.


EDIT**Also, remember that with the national DNC list you are have to redo that every 3 years.

[Sarahnn]

If you are not interested you are probably doing the caller a favor by just hanging up, instead wasting their time. Not a rude hang up but just a simple click. However, if you want them to stop calling, then you need to ask to be removed from their calling list. It may not seem to make any impact at first but keep asking and it should help. Putting yourself on the national DNC list could help as well. This will not effect all charities, as some are exempt, but it should help.


EDIT**Also, remember that with the national DNC list you are have to redo that every 3 years.

Good advice all around. I ended up getting a total of four charity calls last night. Heck, I don't even know if some of them are legit and they're asking for help. When I tell them that, they put the onus on me to research their legitimacy. Excuse me?

[Sarahnn]

en Francais

I' ; m I désolé don' ; t parlent anglais. Pressez un pour le Français ?

[ThaDude]

Good advice all around. I ended up getting a total of four charity calls last night. Heck, I don't even know if some of them are legit and they're asking for help. When I tell them that, they put the onus on me to research their legitimacy. Excuse me?

I am on the do not call list and I receive zero solicitation calls. The only businesses/organizations that call are ones that I already do business with. I highly recommend it.

[YeOldeStonecat]

I am on the do not call list and I receive zero solicitation calls. The only businesses/organizations that call are ones that I already do business with. I highly recommend it.

Wish I could say the same...I've been on that for years..but something happened where that wasn't as strong as it was. Lately been getting solits on my cell phone..even though it's on the list. Just a day or two ago..some window place wanting me to replace my windows. I'm at my office the other day..and one calls my colleague...he's yelling at them on his phone telling them to #$%^ off.

[Sarahnn]

I am on the do not call list and I receive zero solicitation calls. The only businesses/organizations that call are ones that I already do business with. I highly recommend it.

I think I'm on a list like that for business solicitation but I didn't know there was one for charities!

[Sarahnn]

Wish I could say the same...I've been on that for years..but something happened where that wasn't as strong as it was. Lately been getting solits on my cell phone..even though it's on the list. Just a day or two ago..some window place wanting me to replace my windows. I'm at my office the other day..and one calls my colleague...he's yelling at them on his phone telling them to #$%^ off.

5 charity solicitations on my home phone in under eight hours. The last one just a minute ago.

[jeremyboycool]

I was looking into it and it seems things have changed since I lasted checked it out. Your phone number no longer expires off the list after a certain amount of time. Only if the number was disconnected and reassigned will it be removed from the list or if you remove it yourself. So if you had your number disconnected then reconnected for any reason you would need to put yourself back on the list. You can register your number by calling 1-888-382-1222 or go here https://www.donotcall.gov/. You can also verify that your number is indeed on the list by calling that number or the link, so if you are unsure then check it out. Here is a Q&A on the federal law: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consume ... lt107.shtm

I also was looking in to the charities that are effected by federal law. It looks like I was mistaken or either they just changed things on me. But charities are not effected by the DNC list, at all. However a charity will have to abide by the federal law if they are using a third-party call center to do the dirty work. Which means if you ask to be removed they must remove you. Although, I imagine they would remove you if you ask, whether it is required by law or not. I don't know many use a third party but apparently in this setup the third party gets a portion of your donation. So be weary, if you donate, all your money might not even be going to the charity.

[Sarahnn]

So be weary, if you donate, all your money might not even be going to the charity.

Another concern of mine. I think I'm just going to say "I give my donations through mail requests." And then hang up. There is no peace here anymore.

[Easto]

It's all a scam.

When they call and ask for me by name I only reply with "May I ask who's calling". This is where they usually give the name of some cause but if you listen closely they are really just an outside company solicting for that cause. I then politely say that I'm not interested and ask them to take me off there list and then hang up.

If you check reports online about what percentage of your money actually goes towards helping the cause you'll find that in many cases it can be less than 50%.

My charity begins at home. When extended family members need a hand I am there for them. That way I know exactly where the money is going i.e. buying a car, paying for car insurance, helping with tuition etc.

[Sarahnn]

It's all a scam.

When they call and ask for me by name I only reply with "May I ask who's calling". This is where they usually give the name of some cause but if you listen closely they are really just an outside company solicting for that cause. I then politely say that I'm not interested and ask them to take me off there list and then hang up.

If you check reports online about what percentage of your money actually goes towards helping the cause you'll find that in many cases it can be less than 50%.

My charity begins at home. When extended family members need a hand I am there for them. That way I know exactly where the money is going i.e. buying a car, paying for car insurance, helping with tuition etc.

You make good sense.

Can I be in your family?

[Brk]

You sound like a total bitch.

[ThaDude]

I think I'm on a list like that for business solicitation but I didn't know there was one for charities!

I didn't mean to imply that I was on one for charities too, just the regular do not call list. Since I don't get bothered by charities I assumed it was due to the DNC list, but according to the info provided by jeremyboycool it would seem to not be so.

[Sarahnn]

You sound like a total bitch.

I suppose I do sometimes.

[Mad_Haggis]

I get calls asking for Mrs. Haggis. Creepy.
Dead peoples mail creeps me out as well

[Sarahnn]

You sound like a total bitch.

I've given this some thought.

Funny, this comment was uncalled for. I wasn't even engaged in conversation with Burke. But, not a word out of any of ya. Why? Because you guys do not tolerate outsiders. Someone can kick them in the teeth, call them obtuse, tell them they look like a grandma, and the list goes on and on. And you guys actually join in to support the attacker.

I've tried to defend myself here and I have gotten no suppport.

You people are a like a small town in deliverance, you don't cotton to outsiders. You are suspicious, and hostile. Clearly, I am not welcome here.

[David]

You might want to reconsider your approach. You might think you are correct, but obviously something has gone awry. Whenever I am having a day where it seems that everyone is pissing me off, I realize that the common denominator to all the misery is.... me.

Please take it as very friendly advice.

[Debbie]

I've given this some thought.

Funny, this comment was uncalled for. I wasn't even engaged in conversation with Burke. But, not a word out of any of ya. Why? Because you guys do not tolerate outsiders. Someone can kick them in the teeth, call them obtuse, tell them they look like a grandma, and the list goes on and on. And you guys actually join in to support the attacker.

I've tried to defend myself here and I have gotten no suppport.

You people are a like a small town in deliverance, you don't cotton to outsiders. You are suspicious, and hostile. Clearly, I am not welcome here.

Don't let a few of them bring you down. Just use the ignore feature.

[Humboldt]

I get calls asking for Mrs. Haggis. Creepy.
Dead peoples mail creeps me out as well

I get mail all the time for a woman who was murdered by her husband a couple years ago.

It IS creepy.

[Humboldt]

I've given this some thought.

Funny, this comment was uncalled for. I wasn't even engaged in conversation with Burke. But, not a word out of any of ya. Why? Because you guys do not tolerate outsiders. Someone can kick them in the teeth, call them obtuse, tell them they look like a grandma, and the list goes on and on. And you guys actually join in to support the attacker.

I've tried to defend myself here and I have gotten no suppport.

You people are a like a small town in deliverance, you don't cotton to outsiders. You are suspicious, and hostile. Clearly, I am not welcome here.

Don't assume everyone's attacking you.

I called you obtuse because that's exactly what you were being. Several weeks ago (and I might add your own comment from that thread, "Can't you move on?").

Burke said you sound like a bitch cause he's pretty much an ass. Hell, if he's calling you a bitch about the way you handle telemarketers I wonder what the hell he does...argue them to death?

The fact that a lot of people here are used to his posts and ignore him doesn't mean we're, "joining in to support the attacker" by any means.

[YARDofSTUF]

I've given this some thought.

Funny, this comment was uncalled for. I wasn't even engaged in conversation with Burke. But, not a word out of any of ya. Why? Because you guys do not tolerate outsiders. Someone can kick them in the teeth, call them obtuse, tell them they look like a grandma, and the list goes on and on. And you guys actually join in to support the attacker.

I've tried to defend myself here and I have gotten no suppport.

You people are a like a small town in deliverance, you don't cotton to outsiders. You are suspicious, and hostile. Clearly, I am not welcome here.

Its the internet being the internet, its Burke being Burke, and all of us just being us.

You're an easy target here cuz this is a site about broadband and you only talk politics, easy to call you a troll, like the others, and I don't know if thats wrong.

If you don't like it, well then Offtopic has a political area, its called "Die In a Crossfire" But then if you think we're mean, maybe you're too delicate for them. lol

There is a problem here with people assuming new members are just old members with new names, but thats partially because the trolls are allowed to troll.