Aggressive Panhandling

[Sikander]

Re: Aggressive Panhandling

Originally posted by Berzerker
Not the kind you think, this is aggressive panhandling by the state of Kansas, specifically, the several "Fraternal Orders" of various law enforcement agencies. They contract out to "professional" fund raisers who call people at home. I listened in for a couple minutes on one call until I heard the fund raiser effectively accuse us of killing cops by not "donating" money. His exact words "you can save a cop's life" with your donation. Some people here are a bit nervous telling these a-holes to **** off thinking the cops might retaliate in some way.

Ironically a lot of these guys are former jailbirds. I surprised one not long ago by suddenly asking him how long he'd been out of jail. He got completely flustered and couldn't find his way back to his reptilian cool phone persona.

[DRoseDARs]

Aw, leave 'em alone Sikander. They've paid/are paying their debt to society. They don't need you giving them crap.

[rah]

There was a report in our local paper about the calls for the fraternal order of police donations. A very small percentage was actually funneling down to the organization. My wife got a call and told them that after the article in the paper she wasn't interested in donating. After a few seconds of dead silence, they hung up.

And no matter what they claim, policemen are not the ones making calls, just professional solicitors. So I just treat them professionally.

Having managed call centers, I just say as soon as I recognize that it's a solicitation, "I am not interested at this time, thank you" and hang up. I don't waste their time and they waste less of mine. We do have caller ID but some companies are getting more clever disquising the number.

[Japher]

i just tell them I'm poor and I can't afford to be giving money away

[DinoDoc]

Is there something preventing you from simply hanging up the phone?

[Japher]

teh fear that they will call back

[DinoDoc]

Ask them for their home number so that you can call them back at a more convenient time.

[Sandman]

Why are you complaining, Berz? IIRC, you wanted the police to be funded by charity.

[Zkribbler]

Try this....start crying and say (maybe with a foreign accent):

I love our police but I have no money. They just took my car. Just now. The repossession man. I come to America to make new life. But it is so hard. Landlord says he going to kick me out on the street unless I pay rent. But I have no job. No job. I look, but too many peoples want job. None for me. Please. I don't know what to do. I have no money. Please.

Then cry louder.

[pchang]

Start

breathing heavily and then ask them what they're wearing.

[Mr. Harley]

Just tell them you've had a lousy day, your job is being contracted out, and that you have absolutely no interest in giving, and don't call back. The combination works quite well for me.

[Sikander]

Re: Start

Originally posted by pchang
breathing heavily and then ask them what they're wearing.

Not to a jailbird thank you.

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Berzerker


We do give, but we stopped recently because they'd call us every month acting like we were now obligated to give every month. Well, it was the tone of that one call that pissed me off... The politicians exempted themselves from "do not call" lists, so I'm sure these guys are exempt too.

What Agathon said. Ask them to take you off their list.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Berzerker


We do give, but we stopped recently because they'd call us every month acting like we were now obligated to give every month. Well, it was the tone of that one call that pissed me off... The politicians exempted themselves from "do not call" lists, so I'm sure these guys are exempt too.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncalrt.htm

"Political solicitations are not covered by the TSR at all, since they are not included in its definition of “telemarketing.” Charities are not covered by the requirements of the national registry. However, if a third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $11,000. "

[Arrian]

I recently got a call from the police looking for money... but I don't remember if it was the "fraternal order" or my local PD. Anyway, it was clearly one of those professional fundraiser calls.

He starts off thanking me for past donations and saying he's sending me the sticker for this year. Then he goes on to say:

"Sir, this year the donation levels are at $57 and $37, which one can I put you down for?"

My response was laughter, followed by "So instead of asking me if I'd like to donate, you ask me how much money I'm going to give? This conversation is over."

I gave to the Fire Fighter version - they weren't as pushy. I give to charity, but I react poorly to this bull****.

-Arrian