FullHouse

Actually the database used at the Ashford Call Centre records who called who and when so the same person wouldn't be called more then once from the same petition.

Also if you are in the south west, kernow, then you would have got through to the south west call centre so you should probably bring this complaint to the attention of DCB or whoever is incharge of the operation.

kernow

[quote="FullHouse"][quote="Intbel"]



Actually the database used at the Ashford Call Centre records who called who and when so the same person wouldn't be called more then once from the same petition.

quote] You've either been given the wrong information, or you're calling my In-laws Liars!?

Intbel

Not exactly.
If a person is not already on the database their name is (was) not entered onto it unless a result is obtained as a result of the call. Thus a person may be called several times without any record of calls having been made to them. Depends, to a certain extent upon the operator.
That depends upon two things - which number was called and whether anyone was available to take the call in the S.W.

The national number takes (took?) you to the nearest operational centre - so frequently folks would get through to Ashford no matter where they
live.

Katie W

Personally I dealt with Ashford Call Centre many times and I am very sad about its closure I am also very upset about what I have been reading on this forum, I never post on these forums but I have to have my say on this matter as I think Geoffery Kingscott has treaten the staff at Ashford so very very badly. Doesn't ukip believe in rights of the individual and human rights, I just can't believe no one has cared about the staff and their lively hoods. This is the fall of UKIP how on earth can it be moved to a village in Devon who's crazy idea is that and to be run by volunters, is UKIP so rich it no longer needs to make money? And to only be only til 5pm I ask you how on earth does the majority of the population who work get in touch with the party.

It is absoulety crazy, and I certainly won't be renewing my membership, as the party has noone in control and has no idea what its doing anymore, it has got very nasty and I don't want any part of it.

Anthony Butcher

The decision was taken by the NEC, not Geoffrey Kingscott, based on advice given by the Chairman's Committee.

Geoffrey just had the unfortunate job of implementing that decision.

Katie W

Firstly quick to defend Geoffery Kingscott, pitty you weren't so quick to defend offer people who have been bad mouthed on this forum.

Secondly OK I think the NEC have made a very big mistake.

Who is going to make the money for the campigns, etc? Every political party has to make money and no telesales is nice but its necessary and all my dealings with Ashford have been wonderful I could never fault them.

Anthony Butcher

I was merely correcting a factual mistake.

As I understand it (I wasn't present), Ashford was closed because it wasn't financially viable and was effectively using up a huge proportion of the party funds to keep open.

Obviously we will need a telesales operation for the big election periods, which is when Ashford was a big success.

In the mean time, we can dramatically cut down on the telephone communciation required by automating processes, switching to standing orders/direct debits for subscriptions and placing more information in the website, email and Independence.

C_steam

Presuming that Katie etc are employees and,like Intbel, worked at the Ashford call centre I'd like to know on what issues GK caused so much apparent grief.

After all, he works for and is employed by UKIP - unlike the staff at the call centre. The responsible person for your employment - or otherwise - is ALWAYS the employer and whoever the employer put in charge to run the place is responsible for your day to day management. Which certainly isn't Geoff.

Now, if I'm wrong, please tell me why, and include details of who YOU think employed you in that response. If you are unsure of who employed you (and you may well be), ask me nicely and I may give you a clue......

Intbel

Don't be too hasty - who knows what may happen tomorrow?

As it happens the staff at the Ashford Call Centre were employed by UKIP.

I think UKIP has shot itself in the foot with this one and taken off its boots to do it.

Intbel

Ashford Call Centre was very viable - until it was told not to call members.
Then it was denied updated mem'ship data which was stupid because how could folks not call members unless they had an up-to-date list of members so they could know who they are so as not to call them?

The Centre was deliberately made unviable within a few short months - so please do not use 'unviability' as a reason for its closure.


Such as now? We are in an election period now I believe ...

Well, yes, closing a call centre is likely to cut down on telecoms .. you are rather stating the obvious.

As to the rest ... when will all this happen?

I rather get the feeling, Anthony, that you can find no justification for the closure if the Ashford Call Centre and are just being a mouthpiece for those who engineered its closure.

The real reasons for its closure have nothing at all to do with financial viability.