Charity problems

[tali1]

I applied to a small charity which has funding for special needs children for a laptop and i sent all required info .Since applying in mid December i have virtually heard nothing from them -( not even acknowledgment letter). I was told (after great difficulty getting hold of person running applications)trustees would decide my application on 17th jan - but i heard nothing.i have left answer messages -no calls are returned. I contacted application person again and was told he would contact me next day - that was over 2 weeks a go and i have heard nothing - again
This is a legit charity and not a scam - but i do not wish to name it , but i am getting rather fed up - much as it pains me to criticise a charity should i report them to charity commission? -although i am worried the charity may then reject my laptop request
So far the only request of mine they have actually achieved is posting out the appliaction form!

[Maydup]

Unfortunately this is fairly common among charities which are run mainly by volunteers. They mean well and do good work but are not always as efficient as they might be.

If they had paid staff then shame on them but if they are volunteers and have lots of application to process then its just a case of being patient I think.

Could you write them a nice supportive letter explaining how you undertsand their workload, but wonder if they could give you an idea of when the application will be decided? Give postal address, emal address and phone number in the hope they will contact you by one of these methods.

I don't think getting in touch with the charity commission will help unless you think there's soemthing fraudulent going on.

I think you'll hear tomorrow now you've posted this! Lets hope so.

[joko]

report them for what? for being small, busy and understaffed?

they do not owe you anything, they are potentially about to give you - free of charge- a computer... they are not obliged to also do it to your timeframes.
these things take time, they have to assess all other 100s or maybe 1000s of applications too and then decide which kids get one and which dont, presumably also making any necessary checks for fraudulent claims

i realise it s a bit frustrating not to know, and to not be able to get a proper answer off them, but i think you should just wait until you hear from them - and maybe be a bit more grateful for what they are trying to do for you, instead of wanting to get them into trouble...

[factor-fiction]

You have requested a laptop as I understand it. They haven't promised to give you a lap top.
I would write a polite reminder, stressing again how useful this item would be and that the sooner you could hear, one way or the other, the better. I think complaining to the charity commission would be wholly inappropriate

[tonywiltshire]

Hopefully you have heard from the charity by now, as Maidup says volunteers often run many charities. They may not work as paid workers do, they can leave when they please and it is very difficult to ask them to do more or criticize them in any way when they are giving up their time without pay to assist. I would do as Maidup suggests.

[daffy654]

I have no idea which charity it is you have applied to as you won't name it.
I have used family fund before and found them to be very good. They may take a while to make a decision but they inform you of the likely duration of that at the outset.
http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

[tali1]

Err .. i never demanded a laptop and also "report them for what? for being small, busy and understaffed? " and then "instead of wanting to get them into trouble..." - get in trouble for what then ??
In the very limited calls they have given NO mention of time frames or being busy, or having lots of applications or understaffed.I don't post for the sake of it -so no Soapbox preachers please.The calls are very quick and all i get is to mention my son's name and then " Yes that rings a bell ,leave it with me , get back to you"
Suppose will just have to sit it out!

[B00]

There lies the answer I'm afraid. They haven't given you a time frame, well other than to say they'll decide your application in January, which they very well could have- just not got round to telling you yet.

As you've said, the best thing is to wait a bit longer, maybe send them a polite reminder at the end of the month?

[joko]

no-one said you demanded it!

what are you expecting to happen if you report them then, if not get them into trouble?
what usually happens to someone when you report them?
the phrase implies they are in trouble in some way. if that is not your intention what was the point of even asking that question?

you admit it pains you to say iyt...but you are clearly annoyed at the delay and wish them to get a telling off for what you perceive as bad service.

as for them not mentioning any reasons for the delay - they dont have to!
what on earth makes you think they should have to explain themselves to you? to someone who stands to benefit from them for nothing?

THEY OWE YOU NOTHING

you sound extremely ungrateful.

[tali1]

As i suspected .......Time of the Month

[joko]

haha, what an idiotic, puerile and rather lame response... from one who clearly knows i am right and has no defense...and hopefully now knows how ungrateful their OP sounded...

even if it was 'my time of the month' (it isn't) - in a few days i would be ok again - you will still, always, be you ....i'd far rather be a bit moody once a month than permanently be a self serving, ungrateful, impatient, money grabber...

i hope you get the laptop - for your son...not to save you a few quid...

[tali1]

If i was ungrateful i could have try to "name and shame" them here
if i was ungrateful i could have reported them far earlier
What if 6 months down the line i am exactly same position - according to you they have no obligations to me and i can't report them? Fine they owe me nothing - This then i assume applies to any charity applicant?
Are Charities exempt from codes of conduct /customer service???
You seem to have an issue just because a laptop is involved , but a charity is there to provide a certain service - what if it was an old or vunerable person reliant on a charity and they fail to keep person informed or contact them???
Dunno why you determined to pick fights - and hurl insults -why you turning into slanging match?( believe you me, you DON'T want that with me ) - just try chill out please

[joko]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!

More evidence that you are EXACTLY as i have described.
"name and shame" them? just because you haven't got your own way?

YOU started the attitude by accusing my opinion of being because my 'time of the month' - a pathetic comment. Believe me, i would have a low opinion of you at any time of the month...

And as for your little threat - Wahahahahhahahaaaa!!...seriously?
do you realise how idiotic you sound?
....I am absolutely and totally quaking in my boots here!

oh and by the way i am totally calm - please don't imagine for one second that you or anything you say could possibly get to me - you are an irrelevance.

[tali1]

You have made me realize the errors of my ways. My hate for you turns to pity.Rather than curse and damn you i will say a little prayer for you. I hope you find inner peace and comfort.

[NOX]

It's not my time of the month ( I'm male) but I think you sound like an ungrateful, entitled twit as well.

[DTCwordfan]

Puerile comment, tali, not worthy of someone who has been a member for 5 years.

[tali1]

NOX -did you read my post above yours? why can't you comment politely like
DT crosswordfan?
Thank you for your attention in this matter

[NOX]

Yes I did read your post above mine, glad you reminded me, I forgot to add 'condescending' to your ever growing list of faults.
I would have had no need to comment AT ALL if your initial comments had been polite, so you are scarecely anyone to lecture on good manners.

[DTCwordfan]

haahaa - that was at you ,tali.

Seriously, if that curtness or want to vent your frustrations comes through, I, as a charity comissioner or the one doling out the benefits, would say "No" - too often these folk are volunteers putting in hours beyond their ordinary responsibilities.

I would put in a quiet request to the fact that you have been waiting and the needs/benefits that you are seeking - and down tone the aggression!

Take this at face value....

[sherrardk]

Sorry, but you do sound a bit ungrateful. I can understand how frustrated you must feel at the lack of communication or progress with your application, but there is something a bit 'off' about moaning about a charity.

[tali1]

Condescending - that one ain't too bad actually ! Fair enough your opinion, me no offended.