The Sheriffs Dept Called for a Donation

[niallmac]

They don't just call. They call and call and call. No different from all the other telephone solicitors.
We have nothing against the poor police guy on the beat dealing with crime. We gave money two years ago when we had money. But we are struggling now to clothe our children. We really really cannot afford a donation to the Sheriffs Association for whatever the hell the reason it is that they need to ask for donations.

Anyway, I work right? I am not home when all this is happening. My wife and I agreed last night to just answer each call and tell whomever was on the other end of the line that we cannot donate or purchase their bling bling so please take us off 'the list.'

Margaret sees the caller ID showing Sheriffs Dept and answers the call. She tells the guy we cannot afford to donate.

Solicitor: "I understand families are strapped right now blah blah, it's not
how much you give but just that you give something to show your
appreciation."
Margaret: "Oh Well in that case let me say we appreciate you folks a lot. We just can't
give any money."
Solicitor: "We aren't asking for a lot." (They never stop the squeeze. Never.)
Margaret: "You know, we pay our taxes every year to our government to protect us.
We just watched our government do nothing while thousands of people
drowned, died of dehydration starvation and neglect. We aren't big fans of
the government right now!"
Solicitor: " So that's how it is."
Margaret: "That's how it is."
Solicitor: "Goodbye."

I think were off the list...or on the 'The List' Feels good though. I still can’t get over the guy saying “So that’s how it is.” Could he not relate to our frustration and say so?

[AwareOne]

1. Sounds like a scam to me

I've had these calls in the past, supposedly from the fire dept. police dept, etc. It's not the sheriffs dept calling you. It's a telemarketing company that keeps like 90% of what they collect and give 10% to the sheriffs.

[misha227]

2. Yes and many times it's not even tax deductible!

I always ask first; I give when there's a specific program (summer camp for disabled kids) because that is tax-deductible. But the general police/fire support is not. It isn't that I care that much about the tax benefits, it's just that I feel some sort of assurance that the money's going to the intended recipients, since they have to pass some sort of external audit to maintain tax-exempt status.

[japple]

3. Tell them to send you something in the mail, that you

don't respond to telephone requests for donations. Either that or use my usual reply "Sorry, but I am not in a position to give anything at this time." Then hang up.

Another good one: "I just sent all the money I can spare to Pat Robertson or Franklin Graham" or name some other lame religioso.

[Booster]

4. The sheriff's department called me also, and normally I give, but

he caught me in a bad mood and after telling him to send me the info and I would donate, he said "now, you understand that this is not a tax deductible donation, right?", and I just went off. I said I paid $4,000 in taxes to the state last year and those taxes pay for the department, right? He said yes and said then take me off of your list cause I can't carry the sheriff's department all by myself. He said ok and that was that. I'm not doing it anymore; since Bush has been president, I have donated 3 times as much as I normally do and I've just had it. The Vets, the Heart Assn, Cancer Research, Paralized Vets, etc, etc, etc. This has just become total bullshit for me. :banghead: