Red Cross Will NOT Stop Calling--VENT!

[bigbabyblues]

I don't answer my cell phone unless it is a number in my contacts.

If it is something I need to deal with, they will leave a message.

I don't give my cell phone number out unless it is someone I need to talk to. If I get a call from another number that I don't recognize and they don't leave a voice mail, I block them. Everything else gets our landline which is technically a working number but the phone is unplugged from the base. The fact that I don't have to give out my cell # is worth the $5.00 we pay to keep the landline (we have to have it for our internet anyway).

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

This works fine for the occasional solicitation, but if they're truly calling every day and multiple times per day, that is disruptive and annoying to many people. It also now comes down to principle, because they are not doing what they said they would do by taking OP off their calling list. Why should they not be held accountable for that?

Well, I received no fewer than 6 calls today from "Cindy, from customer service about your credit card accounts. There is no problem with your accounts . . . . . " That is about when I hang up, if I answer in the first place. And that call is a total con. At least people talking about blood donation are talking about saving lives.

Thing being said, no matter who it is, "taking your number off of their list" takes time. Generally it takes anywhere from a week to a month. And it takes that much time, whether they tell you that or not.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

No. They're grateful. But there is always a need for blood, and too few donors.

Of the total population, only 38% are able to give blood. (Due to age, weight, health, etc.)

Only 10% of those actually do.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, I received no fewer than 6 calls today from "Cindy, from customer service about your credit card accounts. There is no problem with your accounts . . . . . " That is about when I hang up, if I answer in the first place. And that call is a total con. At least people talking about blood donation are talking about saving lives.

Thing being said, no matter who it is, "taking your number off of their list" takes time. Generally it takes anywhere from a week to a month. And it takes that much time, whether they tell you that or not.

Yes. The various companies can't be blamedvfor the consumer's decision not to be informed of how the Do Not Call Registry works https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry#basics

"How long does it take?
Your phone number should show up on the Registry the next day. Most sales calls will stop once your number has been on the Registry for 31 days. You can verify that your number is on the Registry by visiting donotcall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222."

 

[EveDallas]

I would be annoyed too at the constant calling and there's no doubt you gotta be nice not rude or mean if you're wanting someone to set up an appointment.

On the other hand we're not talking about a credit card offer or a political survey or any other mundane thing. We're talking about blood, plasma and platelets,etc all of which saves peoples lives every day. There also has been a recent critical level of needing people to donate not that it excuses behaviors. I don't put blood donations on my list of entities out there under the coercion side as to me that implies malicious intent. Tactics aside there is a real need for people out there to set up appointments (whichever way they do it) and donate.

But they're my/your/the OP's blood, plasma, and platelets. If I want to donate, I'll make the appointment. Myself. One reminder call is fine. Repeated calls are not.

 

[Pink Partridge]

But they're my/your/the OP's blood, plasma, and platelets. If I want to donate, I'll make the appointment. Myself. One reminder call is fine. Repeated calls are not.

Agreed. And at the very least, act like a professional non-profit. Don't behave like the credit card scams or the IRS scams. Leave a message. Use consistent phone numbers that identify you. Stop calling and hanging up over and over again.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But they're my/your/the OP's blood, plasma, and platelets. If I want to donate, I'll make the appointment. Myself. One reminder call is fine. Repeated calls are not.

I get phone calls, text messages, post cards,etc from my eye doctor all about setting up appointments, reminders of appointments, etc. I don't really need them nor did I ask for them. One call would be fine. It's my eyes after all, my choice and what we pay for eye insurance it's negligible cost anyways.

The OPs case is different than what I was referring to. I was speaking in generalities. Vast majority of people aren't getting multiple phone calls a day for blood donations with reps hanging up on them. They'll usually get multiple phone calls over a space of time and in time of emergency or critical need for blood they may have more frequency of contact.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Agreed. And at the very least, act like a professional non-profit. Don't behave like the credit card scams or the IRS scams. Leave a message. Use consistent phone numbers that identify you. Stop calling and hanging up over and over again.

So did you end up contacting someone to request them to take you off? Did you fill out the online form, contact the BBB, AG, FTC or any other entity out there that has been mentioned on the this? Has the issue been resolved yet?

 

[Pink Partridge]

So did you end up contacting someone to request them to take you off? Did you fill out the online form, contact the BBB, AG, FTC or any other entity out there that has been mentioned on the this? Has the issue been resolved yet?

I have written them several times. I did contact the BBB, but not the FTC. I really should not have to put any effort into stopping a well-known company from calling and hanging up constantly.

They called only once yesterday, so that is an improvement.

There are multiple internet threads about the constant calls and I see quite a few people on The Dis also have this issue. I do hope they change their tactics.

Again, thank you all for allowing me to vent.

 

[cabanafrau]

For what it's worth, I'm reasonably certain the FTC wouldn't be of any value whatsoever in this situation under any circumstances. I wouldn't hold out much hope for the FCC either, but I wouldn't call it a complete no go out of the gate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I have written them several times. I did contact the BBB, but not the FTC. I really should not have to put any effort into stopping a well-known company from calling and hanging up constantly.

They called only once yesterday, so that is an improvement.

There are multiple internet threads about the constant calls and I see quite a few people on The Dis also have this issue. I do hope they change their tactics.

Again, thank you all for allowing me to vent.

But did you follow the Red Cross actual directions for being put on their Do Not Call list?

 

[nkereina]

I get a call while I'm on the other side of our very large barn cleaning a horse's stall and have to leap over a 4 wheeler and run the length of half a football field to get the phone only to hear a robo msg. Yeah, it's a minor hassle in the grand scheme of things, but I have much more important stuff to do and worry about. I just hang up. Plus I got my cardio in for the day. LOL. YMMV.

No doubt there's way more things to worry about. I don't get the impression OP is stewing over this 24/7 though. Either way, it doesn't excuse the fact that the Red Cross is not doing what the client is asking of them. You, OP, nor anyone else should have even a 1 minute inconvenience out of their day after repeatedly requesting they no longer call.

Thing being said, no matter who it is, "taking your number off of their list" takes time. Generally it takes anywhere from a week to a month. And it takes that much time, whether they tell you that or not.

I'm sorry if I missed it, but I didn't see where how much time had elapsed from OP's initial request to present day. I got the impression it had been going on for a while. But either way, not *every* call center requires time to remove someone. I work for a company with a call center and if the customer requests to opt-out, they simply un-check a box and the auto dialer doesn't queue up their phone number the next day. That's assuming the employee does their job correctly, which I think the problem for OP is that the Red Cross does not seem to be doing that.

 

[Mariearistocat]

Agreed. And at the very least, act like a professional non-profit. Don't behave like the credit card scams or the IRS scams. Leave a message. Use consistent phone numbers that identify you. Stop calling and hanging up over and over again.

^This! We vacation in NYC a week a year and buy an annual family membership to the Museum of Art, we live far away so it's cheap as they know we won't be able to go often. Their tactics are similar to the Red Cross! Months before our membership expired this summer, they were calling me several times a day to renew. I tried being polite at first, then started blocking their calls but they had ways around that. It's crazy that such a reputed museum employs tactics like this, as the Red Cross. Next time we join they are getting a fake number. Someone else above said they only give their number to those who truly need it--such a simple, yet effective idea! Just this morning I stupidly gave my number to Lowe's. I pretty much willingly give it to any store that asks and am going to stop.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Either way, it doesn't excuse the fact that the Red Cross is not doing what the client is asking of them.

I'm sorry if I missed it, but I didn't see where how much time had elapsed from OP's initial request to present day.

It appears, until the OP clarifies, her first request was made Monday, November 24, 2018.

and if the customer requests to opt-out, they simply un-check a box and the auto dialer doesn't queue up their phone number the next day.

Your company should share its technology with other companies that call customers/clients, especially the Red Cross.

In the meantime, if the OP made the first request 30+ days ago (the period allowed to process the request) especially on a recorded line, she should contact the FTC.

Otherwise, she should follow the Red Cross's actual procedure to stop the calls. And allow them the 30 days to comply.

 

[nkereina]

duplicate post

 

[nkereina]

Your company should share its technology with other companies that call customers/clients, especially the Red Cross.

In the meantime, if the OP made the first request 30+ days ago (the period allowed to process the request) especially on a recorded line, she should contact the FTC.

Otherwise, she should follow the Red Cross's actual procedure to stop the calls. And allow them the 30 days to comply.

LOL, my company's technology is hardly cutting edge. In fact, its par for the course in call centers that have heavy regulatory scrutiny. If Red Cross doesn't have the same capabilities, that's fine but the point still stands that they should have simply let the OP know that there is a 30 day window to stop the calls, as well as an actual procedure to follow. Regardless of your stance on OP's reaction, no one can deny that the Red Cross handled their calls poorly on more than one occasion if the OP was never made aware of both the time frame needed and the procedure to follow to put a stop to it. I would bet that if OP was put on notice of this after their first request, they'd have more tolerance when the calls come in every day until that 30 day window was over. The phone rep saying they "will remove you from the call list" is apparently a blatant lie if that's not something they can do, and that's not acceptable under any circumstance.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Just ask them if people that weigh 450 pounds can donate blood. They'll stop calling.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Just ask them if people that weigh 450 pounds can donate blood. They'll stop calling.

Yes, people that are overweight can donate. It is people that are underweight that can't.

Now, whether you can get out of your house and to the donation location, is a different problem.

 

[kaytieeldr]

LOL, my company's technology is hardly cutting edge. In fact, its par for the course in call centers that have heavy regulatory scrutiny.

• I worked for a major telecommunications company. It has extremely heavy regulatory scrutiny. Customers requesting DNC status are always told it can take up to 30 days to process the request. The FTC - the regulatory agency - requires the status change be completed by the 31st day.
• Great that some companies simply require checking a box.
• Even better, though, that some companies take steps to ensure the proper action is applied to the correct customer.

If Red Cross doesn't have the same capabilities, that's fine but the point still stands that they should have simply let the OP know that there is a 30 day window to stop the calls

Well, that's on the Red Cross training, along with each rep's understanding of the process. OP said she was told it would be valid for 30 days instead of in 30 days. Could be training, could be comprehension, could be miscommunication.

At this point, unless the OP provides an accurate timeline, i would expect the calls to stop as of Christmas. Thirty days from when she made the request directly to a Red Cross representative.

 

[mummabear]

Yes. The various companies can't be blamedvfor the consumer's decision not to be informed of how the Do Not Call Registry works https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry#basics

"How long does it take?
Your phone number should show up on the Registry the next day. Most sales calls will stop once your number has been on the Registry for 31 days. You can verify that your number is on the Registry by visiting donotcall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222."

Just imagine for a moment, that I was allowing my dog to poop on your front yard, and when you asked me to stop it i said "sure i will add you to my fo no poop registry, unfortunately it takes 30 days to process" I of course cannot be blamed for your decision to not know how my do not poop registry works.
Why in gods name should it take 30 days for harassing phone calls to stop?
I bet if the customer was making as many phone calls to Red Cross as they are to her it wouldnt take 30 days to get it stopped.

Otherwise, she should follow the Red Cross's actual procedure to stop the calls. And allow them the 30 days to comply.

Well yeah, but here is thing maybe Red Cross should be the one following the customers wishes not the other way around.