Charities again

By the way I was very polite to him and just said I was busy and would look it up on their website.

I also did this Mishap and whilst I don't know if they have rung me as I don't answer the half dozen calls I have each and every day from no's I don't recognise, I have had e-mails from them with news stories and the like, which I choose to ignore.I will give when I choose and to whom I choose, that is my right and my choice. I will not respond to emotional blackmail.

I always say that I am sorry, but I only have your word for that. I would never give details over the phone, as I am sure you will understand.

I even say this to charities I have DDs with, that I would never give an increase over the phone. They do sometimes seem quite flummoxed that I would give over the internet. Apparently we are not supposed to be capable of doing that!

It's not being a crabby old git; it's being sensible, according to the money pages in the newspapers.
Annsixty, there is usually a way to stop emails from charities. Just unsubscribe.

Mishap, I had the same problem with MacMillan. I run a book box in a local village hall and every now and then I send of the proceeds by cheque. That's all I want to do. I chose MacMillan because they were good to my Mum years ago when she was dying. Next thing I know, I have a man on the phone trying to make me do all sorts of things in the name of MacMillan, mostly door to door collections. I told him in no uncertain terms that I was not interested and I have not been called since. All these charities need to review their policies as many people are becoming totally disenchanted with them. Another annoying thing is getting requests for donations through the post at Christmas in big fat envelopes. I'm afraid I bin them all. What a waste and you would think the charities had better things to do with their money.

When I had a further phone call from the RSPCA again yesterday, I was exasperated and told him not to bother me again, and that when I had worked out which charities' chief executives earned less than the prime minister, I would choose where my donations go. I heard a squeaky 'oh!' as I put the phone down. Very satisfying

My donations go to our local dogs home at the moment.

I had this after making a donation to a charity for a progressive nuerological illness that one of OHs aunts died of. That was just in lieu of flowers, but I gave my address for gift aid tax benefit. Now I am getting loads of stuff through the door!

I think this is getting quite usual now when giving a donation in lieu of flowers. I have found it is best to give cash to the funeral directors.I go to a lot of funerals!!

I've cancelled all DDs to charities because of the phone calls asking (more like demanding!) more. The phone calls soon die off when they realise you're not going to respond to the emotional blackmail.

Future donations will be made by cheque only.

I have in fact emailed Crisis and expressed my concerns.

I complained to Macmillan about the tactics of their door-to-door 'chuggers' who came to my door after 8pm one evening trying to get me to sign up for a regular DD. There are many older people living round here and I know they wouldn't welcome such 'visitors'. Macmillan's reply to my email was completely unapologetic. I regretted this because I see them as a very worthwhile charity.

I use a blocking device on my mobile called Mr Number. It sends incoming calls that are not on my contact list straight to voice mail. It's free and I'd recommend it. And just as well I have this as I'm getting a call nearly every day, some late at night, that I have discovered is from UNICEF.

I already donate to them but I've emailed their CEO threatening to stop donating if this happens once more.

They are shooting themselves in the foot really as they put people off. However, they must have some research showing that is does work.

Yeah, it probably does work, Mishap, because for every one of us on here who tell them where to go, there are a dozen out there who 'do not like to' or who are actually scared to, poor things. I had the Red Cross knocking on the door late one evening wanting me to sign up to a direct debit. I sent them away pronto and it turned out later that it was a scam.

I have had the same problem, gave to Crisis at Christmas then last week they were on the phone asking me give by direct debit. I declined because I thought it was cheeky and I don't give details on the phone, two days later I got a letter from Crisis asking me to reconsider. In November I gave to three charities instead of a birthday gift for a 90 year old, on the same day last week I had letters from the three charities suggesting I donate very large sums of money. I think once they establish that you are prepared to donate they then set about raising the bar higher each time.
The man phoning from Crisis told me they were trying to raise an extra £600,000 and the fundraiser would get £115,000 of that money, I rest my case.

I also sent to Crisis, but just a cheque, no note or address. Just put the cheque in an envelope, job done. I rather wondered if I had signed the cheque, because it was not cashed for about six weeks, which I thought odd.

This is my reply from Crisis;
Hi Neil, thank you for your e-mail and valuable feedback. Firstly may I say sorry for the inconvenience caused. I have now marked our records not to contact you via telephone or post from now on. Hopefully e-mail only will be acceptable? (However I do apologise in advance should something filter through in the meantime.)
I trust this will suffice
Thank you for supporting Crisis
Warmest regards
Jack

Well Jack - let me assure you that I am not called Neil! Presumably they have a standard email that goes out to complainers like me!

It would have been more honest to say something will filter through instead of may filter through.They are covered now when "mistakes are made". And you will still be contacted.

I've just had a very, very long reply from CEO of UNICEF. He apologises, but manages to get my name right Mishap/Neil and goes into great detail about their work and how successful telephone canvassing is!

At least I won't be getting any more calls.

Mishap - your post made me laugh. Some of these people seem to think that using first names only (even the WRONG first names, lol) makes us feel all warm and cuddly and forgiving. Grrr.