Bob Dixon wrote:
Please don't generalize this to the entire ARRL incoming bureau.
Bob W8ERD

HI Bob,

I know there's lots of folks in the buro, but I guess the "proof is in
the pudding". Maybe it's time for the ARRL to hold the buro
accountable, and do a little field survey. I've been dealing with
crappy service, unansered emails, and a less than a 1% return rate
since '03. I've taken the time to email a few HUNDRED hams I've worked,
most of whom responded said they replied via the buro (yet the cards
never made it to me). When I asked a similar question on our local
reflector of only 140 uses, several people spoke up with similar
problems. I posted the message on this forum and got 41 negative
replies in less than 48 hours. Seems strange that little old me can
cause all this trouble all by myself. Darn, this muct be all my fault,
what the heck am I thinking...

I've sent three batches of envelopes and additional postage to my
incoming buro over the last 2 years (just to make sure that wasn't the
problem), yet when I _do_ get a reply from the buro it's as if they've
lost my envelopes as well as my incoming cards.

I didn't just fall off the tater truck, yesterday. I've been an ARRL
member since 1974, and have used the buro for decades. Everything went
well until recent years. When I posted my question locally, the same
expecience as mine was described by folks with different handlers, so
it's not isolated to that. These responses were from old-timers and
greenies alike, so there's no commonality there. I sent emails to MANY
MANY MANY ARRL addresses (right off of the ARRL website), and only got
one reply..and it said "I'll be back in touch with you" ... NOT! That
was it, another dead end. What's with that? Maybe no one at the league
wants to deal with a problem...dunno, just my experience. Must be my
email account, spam filter, etc...can't possibly a real problem.

I'm tired of trying to save the world with Ham radio. I've taught
classes, started and ran the local VE team, built and maintained loads
of repeaters, held positions with ham radio clubs, run club contest
stations, managed many field day operations, held code practice
sessions on the air, etc. I've done my time. Yet, when I tire of having
to fight for 3+ plus years to get some little piece of the ARRL
"benefit" package, some want to point out that my dues help to get some
oddball sliver of spectrum, fight off BPL, etc. I only want to get my
cards handled as promised in exchange for my dues. That's all...

Maybe there's no problem at all... I'd love for someone to point out
how this is my problem or fault. Personaly, I'm pretty sure this can't
be done.

Hey, a slightly bright side of this... after sitting up half the night
and emailing every email address I could find (AGAIN), a small envelope
of cards was magically dropped into the USPS and postmarked to me. The
very next day. Why should an ARRL member have to make so much noise to
get something working? It simply should be. If I ran my own business in
this way, I'd have been out of business many years ago.

Dave WB4IUY