RNLI Telesales

[Robin]

Firstly I will state very clearly that I'm a 100% big fan of the RNLI. We live in Poole where their HQ is and over the years I have known a number of the local crews on the Offshore and Inshore boats, as well as people working in their HQ offices. We have been Offshore whatever supporters for many years, I guess 30 years or more and we buy lots of stuff from their shops and boatshow stands as well.

[/rant] I have just had an unsolicited telesales call from a very nice sounding chap who was politely asking me to consider additional donations. He called from a disclosed number, not number withheld, and he referred to our existing subscription so didn't get the usual immediate flak reserved for Kitchens Direct et al who are calling our unlisted and TPS registered phone.

However, I nevertheless felt VERY guilty at refusing the request, how COULD I possibly be that mean, especially when he told me this was their busiest year ever and they wanted to be well prepared for next year because every year more and more people were heading for the coast. I felt the same guilt when accosted passing their stands at SIBS to join or upgrade membership category.

Is it just me or can this more aggresive approach be counter productive? I would like to see more people contributing that is for sure, especially those who may one day need them, but pimping existing contributors didn't go down well with me.

[/rant]

 

[zefender]

I agree with much of what you say in that RNLI do a fab job etc. However, they are also rolling in cash so are they seriously suggesting that they might not have enough funds to service next year's callouts?
I suspect that is hogwash and if so, lying to supporters (whether implied or otherwise, direct or via a telemarketing bureau) is a very dangerous move for the charity.

 

[jimi]

Being asked for money ALWAYS puts my back up... if I'm already giving it would do so even more!

 

[Black Sheep]

I'm an offshore member.

I find unsolicited phone calls an unwarranted intrusion. If they phone me at home to beg for more money I will cancel my membership immediately. And tell them why.

 

[duncan]

[judgemental] I agree with you wholeheartedly [\judgemental]

will it be counter productive? short term no - long term maybe

 

[meddite]

Have you tried this?
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Works for us. Registered for 5 years. No calls.

 

[rickp]

Seems its the season for cold calls - I've had 2 this last week, compared to none for months. Firstly Hotel Chocolat - and whilst I've been very happy with the service from them (occasional box of choccies), I despise cold calling. They only had the number in case of problems with a delivery. I'll use Montezumas from now on.

Then just now, I had this automated call. No identification, just a message played on answer, to a number that is in the TPS. I have their CLI - I will be reporting it, along with the recording, to Ofcom as I'm sure the lack of identification makes it illegal.

And don't get me started on charities that deluge you with crap via the post because you just happened to have donated to them in the past.

Bah Humbug...

Rick

 

[Sans Bateau]

Just consider for one moment.

The RNLI is like any other other charity, it has to market itself to maintain its cash flow of funds, the one difference being it IS an emergency service that is expensive to run.

The most likely place it can find growth is in its own member base, hence the calls.

IMO they are only trying to retain their share of charity contributions. Its a shame they have to rely on donations, but the alternative, a government run body, doesn't bear thinking about.

Oh! I do agree though, marketing calls are a pain in the arse.

 

[Robin]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you tried this?
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Works for us. Registered for 5 years. No calls.

[/ QUOTE ]

We ARE registered with the TPS as I said in my post! Because he is calling me as an existing subscriber however it is a legitimate call, albeit irritating.

 

[Robin]

Yes we have been plagued with calls on the mobiles as well recently from Communications Direct, 4 times in 3 days on SWMBO's phone. I think because she passed her phone to me to 'talk' to them and I was less than polite they have now listed the number as one for their trainees to cut their teeth on! The mobiles and the fax numbers are all registered with TPS, FPS and mail with MPS. Good ennit, 3 quangos to solve a problem that shouldn't be one in the first place.

 

[andy_wilson]

Other Telesales

Just tell them how really interested you are but the doorbell has just gone.

Stick the phone in front of the radio / telly and forget about it for a while.

Check back after 5 minutes, and if they are still there, tell them to hang on, you are just paying the milkman.
etc.
etc.

 

[tangomoon]

The rolling in money isn't correct. In the late 90s HUGE reserves went into stocks and shares. Stockbrokers churned and churned (they earn loadsa commission this way) and said look what a good job we're doing. For a while it all looked good, then the crash, the shares were sold - more money for the money men and the you know who lost oodles. Hence they're in the mire from feast to famine practically overnight. Everbody went Coca Cola bottle shouldered and said ' not me'. Then somebody said let's ask the public to donate again and when we have huge reserves we'll employ some stock brokers to look after it for us............

 

[zefender]

Well, I'm not so sure what happened in the past but reserves stand at around £100M. Reserves seem to have increased last year (though they've done some complicated change in accounting policy which makes it difficult to compare). The reserves appear to provide adequate cover I'd say.

Looking through the annual report, there doesn't seem to be a hint of any impending doom.

 

[tangomoon]

It costs £330,000 a day or £120,000,000 a year to run. They are running close to the wind. I just read their report and you seem close to the truth they're swimming in it!