MERG MEMBERSHIP

[DavidW]

Anyone joined MERG recently, just wondering how long it takes from paying up to getting a membership number?

Any ideas?

[Lawrence]

There have been some comments about this on the MERG forum, it would seem there has been a change over to a new system recently which has delayed some applications.  I think mine took 3-4 weeks

[DavidW]

Oh dear, I was hoping 3-4 days

[trainsdownunder]

There have been several changes to their system in recent months which has resulted in a slowing up of things. The membership sec has been receiving increasing numbers of requests.

The new membership system is not up and running fully yet according to the latest journal. Add to that the AGM is due this month (14th Sept) and it has been a busy month for the guys. Remember this is a voluntary organisation and so progress is sometimes a little slow

If you are in desperate need to get your membership sorted, it may be worthwhile sending a extra email to the Mem Sec or depending on your area I will find the relevant contact for you if you like and pass on their details

Colin

[JonHarbour]

An e-mail to Paul Howes will be very promptly responded to. I sent him one yesterday concerning my renewal and he responded within 24 hours.

[DavidW]

Thanks guys, I'll chase up to see if they can help me.

[Geoff]

I applied to join Merg 9 days ago and have not received acknowledgement of my payment, seems to me they have not sorted there  system out.

[MikeDunn]

Yeah, it's not as if it's a busy time of year for anyone, is it 

[PaulCheffus]

Hi

It should also be remembered that they are all volunteers.

Cheers

Paul

[Lawrence]

Yeah, it's not as if it's a busy time of year for anyone, is it 

Agree with you to a certain point Mike (and Pauls' later comment) however, if you intend to run an organisation with a worldwide audience you should either keep your customers informed of any delays or advise them that there will be a period where replies to correspondence will not be available for a certain period. 
This forum is also run by volunteers but is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, irrespective of the time of year.  The appalling lack of customer care and customer service is exactly why my NGS and MERG memberships were not renewed, you can not expect people to constantly pay for such poor service, volunteers or not.

[Geoff]

You are so correct Lawrence, if only they stated on there web site there could be a long delay over the holiday period that would of been fine, we are not mind readers and I am just wondering if I have done the right thing in trying to join, I did receive an email after filling the form in that it could take 1 to 7 days but that has gone over now so in my mind it is though no one cares, in which is really sad.

I am a patient person so I will wait to see what happens and when it gets to 20 days I will contact Paypal to get my funds returned.

[red_death]

It seems as though some people have completely unrealistic views as to what is possible for small hobby organisations to provide both in terms of turn around and coverage. 

Phrases like a lack of customer care and service etc seem to be judging these organisations as professional organisations where you pay for a service provided by employees - this is clearly not realistic or fair!

Generally these types of organisation are reliant on one (or two) volunteers to provide a particular service - if that person is away for work (not always predictable) for a few days then has a back log to deal with then it could easily mean a delay of days stretching into a few weeks (afterall most people have normal life to deal with as well). Easy to say there should be systems in place to deal with that, but that is rarely easy or possible for small organisations.

Frankly expecting swift service over the Christmas - New Year period is asking to be disappointed!

Although it may be frustrating waiting, I really doubt anyone is out to scam you.  If you are really getting nowhere then check they have actually received your application!

Cheers, Mike

[Stuart]

 I think any delay is down to the Holidays, it took two weeks to receive my membership DVD ect and another couple of weeks to actually log on. What a revelation MERG is a true gold mine of information. Their journal alone is worth the subscription fee. Well worth waiting for send the an email after New year is my advice.

[KTM]

.....and for those of us not in the loop - what exactly is MERG?? 

[PaulCheffus]

.....and for those of us not in the loop - what exactly is MERG?? 

Hi

www.merg.org.uk

Cheers

Paul