Suck on 8

[furtech]

I -knew- it was a bad idea to donate to a political organization. I try never to toss money to politicos. None of them are honest or fair, however worthy their cause is. Right now things are particularly tight money-wise and every dollar is precious.

I donated money to one of the Prop. 8 sides...and I -clearly- checked the boxes asking not to be signed up for any mailing lists and -not- to have email sent to me. I was already hesitant because they ask for all kinds of personal information-- information I generally don't trust with any online site (how many times have I heard about laptops with unencrypted information being stolen? Too many)

And what do I see in my inbox today? A "concerned" email from an affiliated organization telling me how desperately money is needed and how "they" (the other side) just got a bazillion dollars in donations and how I need to send them some, too, to balance it out! Moar money plz!

I had to go back to the site and "opt out" again. I HATE being lied to. Never again. Suck.

I want my money back.

Comments

[okojosan.livejournal.com]

Errrgh sorry to hear that. Gods how irritating!

Donating to anyone these days is just opening up oneself to begging, it seems. No group can just send a heartfelt thank you and leave people alone.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- it's almost like, "Oh, if you can donate a dollar...then surely you can donate two!"

That's why I will never give another cent to World Wildlife: I "coded" my donation name and discovered (six months later) that I started receiving a TON of environmental group solicitations-- some really weird ones, too. I was baffled: why would an organization who wanted your money sell your info to -other- groups who would vie for those very same dollars???

[okojosan.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I still get calendars and address stickers from them. Always trying to guilt me into paying for the items. Sorry folks, but I don't feel guilt for receiving free stuff in the mail. I didn't pay you for the last 5 calendars you sent... Maybe you'll eventually get a clue.

It does anger me that a donation to such an organization seems to result in more junk mail. Just what, exactly, are they spending the money on?

By the way, I did look up local animal shelter stuff around here. There was a long list of items they need. I may go out and buy some of the stuff at a cheapie place and donate the things instead of money. There is a volunteer orientation meeting in mid-November that I may go to... if I can climb over the wall of social anxiety in my way :D

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah: the environmental orgs who create mountains of trash...A simple post card and an address would be so much less intrusive. I often donate on the basis of how well the money I send them is spend (ie, simple flyer/newsletters, not nagging me for more money, etc. and virtually all of the money going toward the cause I sent it for).

Re: animal shelter-- something most of them need is blankets and towels. Ask them beforehand to make sure (they can tell you exactly what kind they need), but stopping at Goodwill or Salvation Army and getting towels and blankets is another way to help.

[dustmeat.livejournal.com]

Same here, I stopped because of junk mail/begging.

[amarafox.livejournal.com]

That is really annoying. I gave to a charity once, and ticked the box, and got harassed D:

[furtech.livejournal.com]

No good deed goes unpunished!

[tcreynolds]

Ugh :P

[loriana.livejournal.com]

Begging .. indeed.

Welcome to America. ...

*thoughtful pause*...... I will stop there because I dont want to spam you, and I dont want my blood pressure to climb. :P

alas, I'm sorry to hear that you got socked with that... Its amazing how even for those of us that try to keep to ourselves our information gets sold and brokered to just about anyone.

I dont let my affiliations or my money reach anyone... even for causes I believe in. Lest there be some anonymous way to donate... which is rare.

Its like.. here!! take the fargin' money... but leave me out of this!!!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I would -gladly- have tossed the same amount into a big, anonymous pot! Especially since it is NOT tax deductible.

I can see why they need such information for large donations (so we can see who is supporting the measure-- like large power companies for some legislation to increase power rates or something). Small donations? Who cares if John Smith donates $25 to improve the lives of chickens?

[camstone.livejournal.com]

This is why I always make an "Error" in my name that is easily traced... wrong middle initial... address name slightly off with a code only I know about... add a apartment number or letter where there is none....

That way, I know what to throw immediately in the trash when I get it.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Normally, I do that too-- but when paying with credit cards, that's harder to do (depends on how much they verify-- so extra house numbers or alternate spellings of names don't work).

[karisu-sama.livejournal.com]

That's why I donate by check. Company check. They generally don't come back & beg, and if they do, it would have to be by snail mail.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Y'know-- that's a good idea. Unfortunately, time is short enough that I wanted to make sure the donation did some good. Mea culpa.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

Money Order.. that's what I do. Been spammed too often, and now with account debit so easy, I don't care to share my bank account number with unknown parties.

[nduli.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about the PBA, I made the mistake of donating once and now I get a call about every two weeks. I've explained to them that I recently got laid off, blah, blah can't afford it and the person always says "I understand, we'll just put you down for $10." Uh...no, what part of laid off and can't afford it don't you get?

I just don't answer the phone anymore if the caller ID doesn't say who it is. I'll never give them another thin dime though.

dimes.. lol!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

It's hilarious how soooooo many charities MAIL US dimes, thinking that mailing a coin will spark that guilt!... But as some said earlier in this thread, they are spending money Others have sent them for CHARITY, by doing these expensive mailings.. not to mention all the TREES they are shearing down for these exploits... ;P

[waynekaa.livejournal.com]

it's good to be poor!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Life is sure simpler in many ways!

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

I keep getting calls from the Democrats trying to get me to give them money. I told them to sod off, take me off their list. They called again, yelled at them for not taking me off the list and flat out told them I was changing my party registration to independent. and did.

Magically nobody calls me for political money now.

[jovino.livejournal.com]

I seriously doubt your contribution was in any way associated with the political junk mail you receive.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Uh, no-- you're wrong. The email solicitation came from the exact site where I made the donation. Where I -specifically- checked the boxes to not have my email be added/sent to any mailing lists and to not receive any mail/updated from them. Less than 24 hours after I donated more than I really should have, they sent me an email telling me I had to donate more to off-set the contribution the "other" side had gotten.

Political junk mail (snail-mail) is a waste of trees, but I can no more stop that than I can prevent junk mail from arriving. When I give someone money, I expect a little respect and consideration, not to be viewed as a soft-touch with deep pockets.

[jovino.livejournal.com]

Oooohhhhh... my bad. I must have read your post wrong.

Now... that's just weird!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the snippiness-- new day, good night's sleep and I'm less cranky. Yeah-- that's why I got so honked off: I'd love to believe that the causes I support are good and pure-- but at the base of all political causes are...politicians. For better or worse, the initiative (the "no" people) probably needs them-- fight fire with fire and all that. Still, that element hit a big, red button with me.

[jovino.livejournal.com]

Dude! No apology needed. I totally get where you're coming from, too.

grrrrrrr!

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

I totally concur, bud.... rarrrrgh!

I wrote to BOTH the main candidates very early this year expressing my questions and thoughts about the upcoming election... and did NOT voluntarily sign up for either...

What starts happening right away? McCain's people start leaving messages on the phone, and Obama's people stuff my email box full daily stuff ..!! >:|

That kinda stuff is almost enough to make someone go Nader!