riddler 0 #1 March 7, 2004 About six months ago I got a call. Caller ID said Disabled American Veterans. My dad's a disabled vet (no, he didn't sign me up for telemarketing calls ), so for some reason I thought it might be from him. I answer and it's a computer voice that is asking for money. Blech - I'm sure some of my tax money goes to help disabled vets. I hang up. Three days later, another call. Same computer voice. I hang up. Three days later, another call. I don't answer. More calls, every three days for a month. I don't answer. This has got to stop. I signed up on the Federal Do Not Call list, but that list still allows non-profits and charities to call unsolicited. So the next call, I listen to the entire message to see if there's a button I push to have them stop calling. Or a person that can take me off the list. Nope - only a way to enter your credit card and send money. I hang up. I want to talk to a human, so I call the number back. Phone company says I can't call the number. Hmmm. I look in the phone book - can't find a DAV number. Hmmm. Try their website. No numbers, only email. I send them an email with my phone number and ask them to stop calling me. Next day, I get a phone call. Disabled American Veterans. Same computer voice. I hang up. More calls, more frequently than before. Is this harrassment? I remember that I have call blocking with my phone service. Next time they call, I dial *60. Calls from this number will be blocked. I retire, satisfied, to my Linux laptop and spinach quinoa salad. Two weeks later, I get a call. Caller ID says "Disabled American Veterans". Can't be. I check the number. It's still DAV, but with a new number. Hmm. I'm allowed 20 phone numbers to block, so I block this one too. Now, about every two weeks, I get a new call from DAV, with a new number. 9 of my 20 blocks are used, all for the DAV, so I figure I can play this out another few months. Shit like this makes me want to find the Americans that are responsible and Disable them. Why must I put so much effort into getting people to stop bothering me?Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #2 March 7, 2004 odd. i am a DAV member, and i have not ever know then to solicite money via telemarketing. not saying it doesn't happen, just saying i am unaware of it happening. honestly, i doubt very much, if any of your tax dolars go to veterans, disabled or otherwise, because nobody much gives a damn about veterans, disabled or otherwise in this country, and that goes especially for politicians! oh yeah, they live telling you how much they care and how much they want to do for you, AT ELECTION TIME, but otherwise HA! that has basically been my experience anyway. the veteran is lost on the list for everything, jobs, benifets whatever! they keep saying it is such a great advantage to be a veteran, hire the vet, etc etc al nausim! so far, it has proven to be more of a liability to me than anything else! try to call the DAV and see if they do telemarketing, if yes, ask them to remove you from their list. i would think that they will accomidate you. vets ask for very little, which is a good thing, because that is what they get, very little! They don't want to be a bother to anyone!-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #3 March 7, 2004 Quote honestly, i doubt very much, if any of your tax dolars go to veterans, disabled or otherwise, because nobody much gives a damn about veterans, disabled or otherwise in this country As a disabled veteran, I can speak for this...my entire income depends on taxes. So, yes, your tax dollars (some, at least) go to me, lol. They also pay for my medical, dental and optical benefits, not counting the free tags and registration for two vehicles on a permanent basis, plus hunting/fishing licenses, no property taxes or income taxes. So, keep paying them, lol. Looks like you are a bit wrong, Lee, cause I'm living proof (and living pretty well, too) that America cares for her Veterans. And yes, the DAV telemarkets for donations but a call to the local DAV office, listed in the phone book, will put a stop to those telemarketing calls. FFF "Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #4 March 7, 2004 Glad they're doing something for you.-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirMail 0 #5 March 7, 2004 Maybe if you let the call complete (just lay the phone down and come back in 5 minutes) it might stop. P--- It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Postal Rodriguez, Muff 3342 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #6 March 7, 2004 If talking to the DAV doesn't work try Do Not Call *Reminder: Even if your number is registered, companies with which you do business may continue to call you. So may charities, political organizations, and telephone surveyors.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #7 March 7, 2004 QuoteShit like this makes me want to find the Americans that are responsible and Disable them. LOL, that was funny. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #8 March 7, 2004 At least you're not bitter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #9 March 7, 2004 DAV does use telemarketing to raise funds. How much money recieved by Disabled Veterans that come from tax dollars I do not know, but i do know that some of the money recived comes from DAV. How much? Your guess is as good as mine. I never looked at their books or operating costs. The PBL/PBA also solicits via telemarketing too. As far as disabled vets not being cared for, I would say Lee anf Freak are both right. Politicians use it as a catch phrase and then do nothing but the American people do care. If the American people did not care the politicians would never say anything. Although I cannot think of the last time anyone used helping vets as their platform. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #10 March 7, 2004 There was a Miss America whose platform was supporting Disabled Veterans... ______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #11 March 7, 2004 QuoteDAV does use telemarketing to raise funds. How much money recieved by Disabled Veterans that come from tax dollars I do not know, but i do know that some of the money recived comes from DAV. How much? Your guess is as good as mine. I never looked at their books or operating costs. The PBL/PBA also solicits via telemarketing too. As far as disabled vets not being cared for, I would say Lee anf Freak are both right. Politicians use it as a catch phrase and then do nothing but the American people do care. If the American people did not care the politicians would never say anything. Although I cannot think of the last time anyone used helping vets as their platform. Telemarketing cost money to operate, the agency that they say they represent usually gets considerably less than 50% of the funds raised. (pls don't quote me and argue specific numbers). We've got a bad situation going on in the big sandbox and someone is playing the emotion card. IMO most vets, their friends and family members care, The politicians, Military leadership "No comment" Gov't agencies tasked with helping vets are "underfunded". Lets support our troops & their families by writeing our elected reps in congress about vet issues as thet arise. Since this is a election year I expect the politicans to play the vet card again. Once they get elected it's no longer a issue for them. IMO Contributing money thru telemarketing just isn't cost effective. I'll give the local DSA a call to let them know my opinion. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #12 March 7, 2004 Quotehonestly, i doubt very much, if any of your tax dolars go to veterans I can tell you for sure that it does. My dad is 100% disabled and he gets monthly government stipend that covers his entire cost of living as well as free medical. Although the VA medical is less than perfect Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #13 March 7, 2004 http://www.dav.org/help/contact_dav.html Covering your back dude. Call them and tell them if they call again you'll consider them a client and send them a bill. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #14 March 7, 2004 "Although the VA medical is less than perfect " ------------------------------------------------------------ amen to that! ever tried to get in to see a doctor at VA? you can sit there from 6:00 when they open, sit there all day, and still be sitting there when they close (whatever time that may be) and never see a doctor! I know this, because I have!-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #15 March 8, 2004 I Know it's hard to believe but sometime there's a system to the VA Hospitals madness We had a broken leg VA Dr says Xray every 2 weeks show up at 8am get Xray then bring them to me. Go to X ray at 8AM receptionist is sitting in a cage everyone is pissed off. Freelunch at noon still no X ray. Finally 2PM got my Xray Two week same story except I skip the free lunch and het my X-ray and notice the VA's "X-ray system". No matter what time you showed up they took the different Body parts in order so they wouldn't have to adjust the machine for each patient. Legs were approx 2pm. Next time I show up for X ray at 1pm wait about 1/2 hour and they start on legs . The people that were waiting all day were . Their body part was after mine Never had to wait more than a hour for X rays again . Strange but true Got lucky and never had to deal with the VA for the next 30+ yr's and hope I never have to. R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ozthebum 0 #16 March 8, 2004 Quote"Although the VA medical is less than perfect " ------------------------------------------------------------ amen to that! ever tried to get in to see a doctor at VA? you can sit there from 6:00 when they open, sit there all day, and still be sitting there when they close (whatever time that may be) and never see a doctor! I know this, because I have! Sorry to hijack, but I got a quick question for y'all. Are the medical benefits that disabled veterens and retired military different? Can y'all go to the nearest military base and get the same treatment? I don't plan on being a disabled vet (I guess no one does), but I do plan on retiring (sp) after my twenty...will I run into these problems too? I've never really checked out what that's going to mean for me medicaly. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #17 March 8, 2004 ozthebum, There are no medical benefits for retired military. The day you retire, your medical benefits stop, you cannot go to a military base to the medical facility, you have nothing! The free medical for life is a lie!-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crzjp20 0 #18 March 8, 2004 it depends on your legnth of service-------------------------------------------------- Fear is not a confession of weakness, it is an oportunity for courage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #19 March 8, 2004 Then why do you see all thoes old people sitting in the waiting room at Womack? If you get a pink card (ie retired over 20yr) then you get the benefits, put 19 1/2 years in, no benefits.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlyFox 0 #20 March 8, 2004 QuoteThere are no medical benefits for retired military. The day you retire, your medical benefits stop, you cannot go to a military base to the medical facility, you have nothing! The free medical for life is a lie! Retirees do have medical benefits, it is called tricare. There is a deductable that you have to pay. It is not as good as while you are in, but now that I'm out and hear what others have to pay for insurance, I appreciate having Tricare. Lee03 are you a retired vet? I retired 4 years ago and I'm thankful for what I get. *****Why would anyone jump from a perfectly good airplane? Because it isn't much fun if it's broke.**** Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #21 March 8, 2004 "Depends on your length of service." ------------------------------------------------------------ Oh really. ------------------------------------------------------------ "If you get a pink card (ie retired over 20yr) then you get the benefits,..." ------------------------------------------------------------ I did over 20 years, I have no medical benefits!-------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #22 March 8, 2004 Maybe you should call the Tricare office. or see the web-site. TRICARE COSTS PM SkymonkeyOne, he's a new retiree.______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #23 March 8, 2004 Think! If it's sounds to good to be true...... If it sounds to bad to be true....... Or something like that R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #24 March 8, 2004 You absolutely have medical benefits as a retiree. If you are near a military base and need emergency care, you will be triaged and treated just like any other person who walks in the ER of a military hospital. When you retire you automatically drop from TriCare Prime to TriCare Standard. Even with Standard, you have a TON of civilian care options. All that means is that you pay a higher deductible. For a very-small fee you can upgrade back up to Prime. If you are retired military and have not yet registered for TriCare, then you need to get off your butt and register. As a retiree you are also elibible for all VA healthcare services; I know plenty of people who use both systems regularly. edited to add that retiree ID cards are blue these days Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #25 March 8, 2004 QuoteAbout six months ago I got a call. Caller ID said Disabled American Veterans. My dad's a disabled vet (no, he didn't sign me up for telemarketing calls ), so for some reason I thought it might be from him. I answer and it's a computer voice that is asking for money. Blech - I'm sure some of my tax money goes to help disabled vets. I hang up. Three days later, another call. Same computer voice. I hang up. Three days later, another call. I don't answer. More calls, every three days for a month. I don't answer. This has got to stop. I signed up on the Federal Do Not Call list, but that list still allows non-profits and charities to call unsolicited. So the next call, I listen to the entire message to see if there's a button I push to have them stop calling. Or a person that can take me off the list. Nope - only a way to enter your credit card and send money. I hang up. I want to talk to a human, so I call the number back. Phone company says I can't call the number. Hmmm. I look in the phone book - can't find a DAV number. Hmmm. Try their website. No numbers, only email. I send them an email with my phone number and ask them to stop calling me. Next day, I get a phone call. Disabled American Veterans. Same computer voice. I hang up. More calls, more frequently than before. Is this harrassment? I remember that I have call blocking with my phone service. Next time they call, I dial *60. Calls from this number will be blocked. I retire, satisfied, to my Linux laptop and spinach quinoa salad. Two weeks later, I get a call. Caller ID says "Disabled American Veterans". Can't be. I check the number. It's still DAV, but with a new number. Hmm. I'm allowed 20 phone numbers to block, so I block this one too. Now, about every two weeks, I get a new call from DAV, with a new number. 9 of my 20 blocks are used, all for the DAV, so I figure I can play this out another few months. Shit like this makes me want to find the Americans that are responsible and Disable them. Why must I put so much effort into getting people to stop bothering me? Hi Riddler After seeing you message I tried to contact our local DAV to find out what services the provide etc. I found three different "chapters" in our Metroplex. The first chapter I contacted dropped the call before I ever got a response. The other two "chapters" had the same answering system and Voice. When calling the local DAV you have one option "dial 1 to leave a message". IMO this is a fund raising organization with no benifits for vets from any country disabled or otherwise unless the owner is a vet Check you local DAV if you get the same message and you want to, you know what to do. BTW Lee 03 responded to this thread stating he belongs to DAV is a retired vet and doesn't get medical benifit's. Very oddR.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
