ISU Foundation Student Caller Raises $1 Million

[cymonat]

After making 36,000 calls during his college career, this guy has now raised over $1 Million working at the Phone Center.

ISU Foundation - Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose: July 2009 e-newsletter - $1 Million - One Call at a Time

[motorCYcle]

Bueltel estimates he has made more than 36,000 phone calls and has been successful on about 50 percent of those.

That is pretty amazing...

[clone2011]

Good work out of him, brought in a lot of money for the school! Personally, I could never do a job like that, cold-calling and asking people for donations. He's obviously good at what he does, and even if he goes into an unrelated field that will look good to future employers.

[brianhos]

I think 15,000 of those calls were to me.

[CycloneErik]

I think 15,000 of those calls were to me.

Were those the unsuccessful half?

That would be something if he was successful with every call, except for one person.

[MontyBurns]

I hope he gives me some of that money so I can replace the answering machine tape that was worn out recording 10,000 messages from him.

[cyfan964]

I hope he gives me some of that money so I can replace the answering machine tape that was worn out recording 10,000 messages from him.

Agreed. What pisses me off is getting those calls 1 year after graduating. I realize every bit helps, but man I have 10's of thousands of dollars in student loans to Iowa State University and you are calling and asking me to donate money? Hmmmmmmmm.......

[hiltonisheaven]

That is an amazing accomplishment! I worked at the foundation making calls for a summer while I was there. It is a difficult job and you are completely drained at the end of your shift...I also felt dirty for getting ppl to give their hard earned money. IMO, universities are similar to the government in that they waste a ton of $. I think one positive of the bad economy is that the universities are now having to be more careful w/ their budgeting. Sadly, I can't bring myself to say no when they call me now because I know how bad the job stinks.

[aeroclone]

My name must have come up on the list again this week. I have been getting 1 or 2 calls per night. I know it is them because they are the only place that ever calls that comes up as "No ID" on my caller ID.

I really wouldn't have a problem with them if they just came out and asked me for money. It bugs me that they BS me with the small talk for so long and then they smack you over the head with a request for $500. And yes, they started calling like 2 weeks after I graduated. I have some bills to pay first guys, but nice try.

[Irresponsible]

Agreed. What [iritates me] is getting those calls 1 year after graduating. I realize every bit helps, but man I have 10's of thousands of dollars in student loans...

They called me and I told them to check the amount of money I paid to ISU for parking tickets and consider that my donation. They stopped calling after that.

[06_CY]

I won't give them any money after having to deal with one of their higher up employees at a former job...but good job out of this guy.

[Cyclone06]

My name must have come up on the list again this week. I have been getting 1 or 2 calls per night. I know it is them because they are the only place that ever calls that comes up as "No ID" on my caller ID.

I really wouldn't have a problem with them if they just came out and asked me for money. It bugs me that they BS me with the small talk for so long and then they smack you over the head with a request for $500. And yes, they started calling like 2 weeks after I graduated. I have some bills to pay first guys, but nice try.

I've experienced this exact same thing. Memo to the foundation, if I say no on Monday, things will not change by Wens, Thurs, or Saturday.

It got so bad (frequent), the last call I took went:
"Hi, is 'Scott' available?"
"Yes, but if this is Iowa State, quit calling!" (Hang up)

I felt horrible, but it began to get ridiculous. One call every 6 months? OK. 4 calls a week? No thanks.

[cyclonedave25]

My typical conversation with them: (paraphrased of course)

"Would you like to donate $500 to ISU?"
"I would love too, but can't afford it. I just graduated and have no money."
"ok, what about $350?"
"like I said, I can't afford it at this time."
"ok, what about $250?"
"I am so broke, I'm having trouble buying my groceries. thanks though."
"ok, what about $150?"
"I can't. I won't. I have NO MONEY."
"ok, what about $100?"
"Nope. seriously, I have no money. call me back in a few years when I have a job and all my loans are paid off."
"ok, what about $50?"
....... you get my point. I know they are just following their sales pitch, but its sooo annoying.

But, congrats to that kid. Good Job!!

[Schfinkter]

My typical conversation with them: (paraphrased of course)

"Would you like to donate $500 to ISU?"
"I would love too, but can't afford it. I just graduated and have no money."
"ok, what about $350?"
"like I said, I can't afford it at this time."
"ok, what about $250?"
"I am so broke, I'm having trouble buying my groceries. thanks though."
"ok, what about $150?"
"I can't. I won't. I have NO MONEY."
"ok, what about $100?"
"Nope. seriously, I have no money. call me back in a few years when I have a job and all my loans are paid off."
"ok, what about $50?"
....... you get my point. I know they are just following their sales pitch, but its sooo annoying.

But, congrats to that kid. Good Job!!

Ok. What about $25?
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[superdorf]

I worked there for about 6 months. We had to start off at $1000. I think I heard a few f-bombs dropped when I said, "And would you like to give $1000 to this fund?"