Freedom of Information Act request

[Guest TheLibrarian]

I'm sure the FoI Act wasn't passed solely for the purpose of helping businesses during a recession but I see no reason why it shouldn't be used like that.

The issue isn't that they sent an FoI request per se, it is that the request is from a company hiding behind a Google mail address and possibly even using a fake name.

To me that immediately raises trust issues.

 

If a customer survey hadn't been responded to and then they followed up with an FoI that I would find acceptable assuming also not hidden behind an alias.

 

 

I know some people get incredibly worked up about people phoning them trying to sell stuff and I've never understood why - it really shouldn't be a big deal (but I suppose some people just like having something to get upset about - witness all the ranty people on radio phone-ins and TV programmes or look at the Daily Mail etc for ample evidence of that)

 

I'm not sure how your establishment works, but ours only buys when we are ready and the purchases are planned, special offers be d****d it's not planned spending so we won't spend. Sales calls are a complete waste of both parties time unless the other party is calling to introduce themselves as a new supplier or inform us of an account manager change.

Wasting time explaining (usually not for the first time) that we will send offers to tender when we require something is irritating - or at least IMO irritating.

[BrotherSidious]

Sales director's PA just phoned to confirm they are investigating the issue and they will call me back. Must admit they have phoned back very promptly and seem genuinely concerned by this.

 

As of 14:10 had no call back back but I suspect it may take them a while to investigate this.

Edited July 8, 2010 by BrotherSidious
Updated

[ChrisIJ]

I haven't posted on here before, but found this thread very useful when I was checking out this FOIA email, so thought I'd register to share this.

 

I emailed the company yesterday morning and had a long detailed reply today (at 6.30pm on a Friday evening!) full of apologies and claiming the anonymous email ID was to get unbiased data (hmm...) and was common practice although they've not used it with schools before. It appears they did not expect the response they've had from schools.

 

I get lots of email surveys from Schoolzone and the like, and they always manage to say who they are; my step-daughter, who works in marketing, raised her eyebrows when I asked her opinion.

[BrotherSidious]

Following on from my phone coversation I have recieved a reply. This email follows what Chris has said in the post above. In brief summary:

 

FOI is used to get info that is otherwise difficult to obtain

This is the first time they have used FOI with Schools

They send it as someone else so the get an unbiased response

 

However, they go on to state that they did not think this would cause such a reaction within schools and as such "have instructed the data team to stop any such activity in schools".

 

As such, I feel that as a company they have listened to our concerns and addressed our issues so for me personally this is now satisfactorily resolved.

Edited July 11, 2010 by BrotherSidious

[bigaitchc]

Hi

I would like an opinion about sending this reply to the company.......

 

Following some information I have gathered, I understand you have emailed my school amongst others regarding a FOI request related to ICT using the email [email protected]

What concerns me is that you have used an anonymous ‘alias’ to ascertain such information, and if you so request I will still respond with the information.

But I will add your company to the list of companies I will not deal with and I will be ensuring that my fellow Somerset schools are aware which company has caused this much work at the busiest point of our school term.

I will await confirmation you still wish to receive this information and will then reply by the 4th September (20 working days from original request on 30th June)

You are free to use any information I will supply for your own use, including for non-commercial research purposes. The information may also be used for the purposes of news reporting. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information, using it for marketing purposes or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner."

 

Bigaitchc

[powdarrmonkey]

Hi

I would like an opinion about sending this reply to the company.......

 

I'd just forward it to the company asking if it is from them and if they'd like the opportunity to withdraw the request.

[plexer]

Following on from my phone coversation I have recieved a reply. This email follows what Chris has said in the post above. In brief summary:

 

FOI is used to get info that is otherwise difficult to obtain

This is the first time they have used FOI with Schools

They send it as someone else so the get an unbiased response

 

However, they go on to state that they did not think this would cause such a reaction within schools and as such "have instructed the data team to stop any such activity in schools".

 

As such, I feel that as a company they have listened to our concerns and addressed our issues so for me personally this is now satisfactorily resolved.

 

Can you post or pm the contact details for you contact at this company please?

 

Thanks.

 

Ben

[bigaitchc]

I'd just forward it to the company asking if it is from them and if they'd like the opportunity to withdraw the request.

 

I have been advised by the local authority I do have to comply!

[BrotherSidious]

Bigaitchc. When did you receive this request as if it is from Tom Elliot then I was advised that their Data Team were instructed to stop sending these last Friday.

 

I am not sure about posting the contact details for the email I received back from them directly on this forum but I will PM them to individuals if requested.

[bigaitchc]

Bigaitchc. When did you receive this request as if it is from Tom Elliot then I was advised that their Data Team were instructed to stop sending these last Friday.

 

I am not sure about posting the contact details for the email I received back from them directly on this forum but I will PM them to individuals if requested.[/quote

 

Hi it came to me on 30th June.

[plexer]

I've just received an email response from Mr Tilley at it257.com confirming cancellation of their FOIA request to the school.

 

Ben