National Trust (Scotland) Refunds

malc_b

Hi,

I asked National Trust (Scotland) what they proposed to do about the fact I was paying a direct debit each month for a service they were no longer delivering.  Answer, nothing, I was paying to support their work not for entry.  Hmm.  Not a very customer centred approach.  Everyone is suffering in this crisis.  All the businesses, all the charity shops, but not NTS, they weren't about to share the pain.  Nope.  If anything their revenues might even increase.  Cash from the gov for furloughed staff and still keep the DD income.  Win-win.  In my opinion I'm paying for entry to properties.  If I was paying to support them as a charity then that would be separate from the entry.  But what is the legal position?  And who, if anyone, could I complain to.

Maybe this sound a little harsh and maybe, had they been more accommodating I might have met them halfway.  But their attitude annoys me.  Why does NTS think it is a special case and can just keep the DD money after they took the decision to close their gates.  Everyone else is suffering, but not them.  It's that I find annoying and which drives me to make an issue of it.  They could have least offered to suspend memberships but politely asked that people continue them.  No, they just think it is their right.  Sorry but NTS is not high priority in this crisis.

Undervalued

malc_b said:

Hi,

I asked National Trust (Scotland) what they proposed to do about the fact I was paying a direct debit each month for a service they were no longer delivering.  Answer, nothing, I was paying to support their work not for entry.  Hmm.  Not a very customer centred approach.  Everyone is suffering in this crisis.  All the businesses, all the charity shops, but not NTS, they weren't about to share the pain.  Nope.  If anything their revenues might even increase.  Cash from the gov for furloughed staff and still keep the DD income.  Win-win.  In my opinion I'm paying for entry to properties.  If I was paying to support them as a charity then that would be separate from the entry.  But what is the legal position?  And who, if anyone, could I complain to.

Maybe this sound a little harsh and maybe, had they been more accommodating I might have met them halfway.  But their attitude annoys me.  Why does NTS think it is a special case and can just keep the DD money after they took the decision to close their gates.  Everyone else is suffering, but not them.  It's that I find annoying and which drives me to make an issue of it.  They could have least offered to suspend memberships but politely asked that people continue them.  No, they just think it is their right.  Sorry but NTS is not high priority in this crisis.

Well that's OK, your attitude annoys me. Each to their own I suppose!

Cancel your monthly direct debit if you feel so strongly about it. I can't imagine they will sue you for the rest of the year's subscription.

However, they are right. You are choosing to belong to the organisation to support its work. You are not buying a certain number of free admissions. If there is deep snow that closes some of their parks next winter, will you want a proportional refund?

Jeremy535897

You can claim higher rate tax relief on the subscription, if you pay higher rate tax. This is because it is regarded as a charitable donation, and the benefits you describe are incidental benefits that do not count as part of the charitable subscription. Your opinion may well be that you are paying for entry to properties, but technically you are not. If you want to cancel:
https://www.nts.org.uk/membership/thinking-of-leaving

25_Years_On

malc_b said:

Maybe this sound a little harsh

Yes it sounds very harsh. You're supporting their work, the maintenance of houses, gardens and grounds. And for this you get entry to these places. If you actually cared about their work you would be happy to pay. Especially as their income will be down a lot.

Pollycat

From NTS website:

As a member, you enjoy unlimited access to the heritage in our care – from coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness. Members can connect with the places, properties and collections that make Scotland so special. Thanks to the support of our members we can protect these national treasures and their special stories now and for generations to come. We do what we do for the love the Scotland.

Your generosity allows us to undertake vital work such as maintaining mountain footpaths so they remain accessible, making vital repairs to our historic castles and palaces, and restoring meadows to help birds, butterflies and bees flourish.

Your opinion may be that you are paying for entry to their properties but their website makes it clear what 'your generosity' - aka your membership fees - are for.

So - make an issue of it.

Do keep us informed how you get on with your issue.

To maybe rub salt into your wound, English Heritage have emailed me with this information:

To compensate for this loss, we have taken the decision to extend all existing memberships – including yours – by three months. And we will continue to keep the situation under review should we need to remain closed for longer.

malc_b

Many seem to miss the point.  It should be my choice.  If I wish to contribute to a charity (which I do BTW, each month) then that is a separate matter.  I don't expect anything in return.  I would suggest that the majority who have NT, NTS or EH membership have that for the free entry.  Indeed that is what they sell the membership on - join now and get today's entry cost refunded!

Pollycat - thanks for the info.  Seems EH is more reasonable.  I've cancelled NTS now.  When this is all over maybe I will join again, maybe not.  There are others I can be a member of and get similar benefits.