My rant about 510-273-8910
So yesterday I was out of the office and had my cell phone on all day (call me a Luddite, but I usually don't, because even though minutes are cheap now and I basically never go over my plan, the battery runs down and ... and no, I don't have IM either, get over it). I got three calls from a number I didn't recognize (so I didn't answer), but no messages. That's as sure a sign of a telemarketer as "Private" or "Unavailable Number" and the like.
So I did a reverse lookup on line today (unsolicited plug: addresses.com seems to work best) and traced the number to Earthtel Inc. in Oakland, CA (incoming line: 510-645-4225). Apparently they raise funds for a bunch of non-profits, including Lambda Legal, which I already support. Fine.
But that doesn't mean I want their calls (and yes, I've emailed their DNC list address, and yes, I'm adding them to my speed dial so I can screen them out, just like SHARE, which raises funds for HRC among others).
See, it's not that I don't support the client orgs. I do. But I'll send them money when I want to, not when they put me on the spot with their damn phone pitches.
My alma mater (Indiana) used to have an annual thing called Telefund where the foundation fed burgers and Tater Tots (just like in the dorms! with ketchup and everything! ah, good times) to students who had scholarships for a few evenings and had us call donors. Now the foundation pays (I assume) work-studies to staff a phone bank with predictive dialers and call me all damn summer (well, they did until I told them to stop). Look, I volunteer for IU. I give (and a fair amount for a worker bee, frankly) to IU. I just don't want to be hassled on the phone about it, all right?
Then there's to Goodman Theater (excuse me, "Theatre"), which hooked me into a season subscription just by telespamming me. One season. Never again, and no donations either, just because I resent the telespam.
And at least they do it themselves. Most of these pitches are from paid fund-raising contractors who pay their poor drones $10-$24 U.S. an hour (see below) -- which means they're charging the charities at least $25-$50 per hour per staffer, or the equivalent percentage of donations, to support the owners of the contract agencies in the style to which they're accustomed. (And don't get me started on what Big Tobacco makes off telemarketers. I've seen. I've coughed. No thanks.)
Here's a sample job posting from Craig's List (because turnover is high, and face it, who'd want to do this for a living?):
Paid Fundraisers for Non-Profits (oakland downtown)
Reply to: job-88767262@craigslist.org
Date: 2005-08-03, 3:26PM PDT
Well-spoken, Intelligent people needed.
Earthtel Inc is America’s premier fundraising firm for nonprofits. We are currently looking for articulate, erudite employees to work afternoons and evenings (a highly flexible work shift). This is a perfect job for college students or those who wish to learn the fine craft of fundraising (a priceless skill set). Our best performers earn as much as $24/hr plus bonuses. Located a block from the downtown Oakland 19th Street BART Station. Join our team by calling (510) 645-4225, or Fax (510) 645-4233, or Email at
Compensation: $10-$24/per hour
- no -- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- yes -- Phone calls about this job are ok.
- no -- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
- no -- Reposting this message elsewhere is NOT OK.
About that last line. Um, Craig, honey? Calling me to hit me up for money is not OK. OK?