For thinking my local NCT are crap for not responding even though I am only 7 weeks pregnant

[loisstella]

I em-ailed them nearly 2 weeks ago asking for some info on classes etc as I heard these get booked up ridiculously quickly.
They haven't even acknowledged my e-mail!

Email again. it is run entirely by volunteers, you know.

It took ours ages and ages (I was 16+ weeks so very worried). But they did respond in the end and, like aloha says, it is all volunteers... Can you phone? I much prefer it, at least you know someone has heard you.

aahhh... see I did not know that!
I'll stop being impatient and hold off for a few days and call them then!
Thanks Aloha

It's probably some poor woman still on school holidays

also, a lot of the volunteers are parents of young children, and with it being school hols, are probably not doing much NCT stuff. our branch has not held any meetings or anything over the last 6 weeks

i;m sure they'll get back to you

xpost harpsi!

still no excuse for a lack of acknowledgement of the email being receieved IMHO - doesn't take much to set up one of those automatic "we've got your email" type response things....

I'm 5 mths post natal and have yet to hear from anyone social/nearly new sales, anything
They can whistle for another subscription AFAIC

I had an email from mine, asking me to contact at ten weeks as is earliest they can register

Loisstella
I can understand why you feel cross. I tried like you to get in early, was told it was too early and then when I called back it was fully booked!!!! I had to do some weekend course outside of our area.

They've since sorted out some of the organisational issues in our area. The yearly membership fee (and the cost of the classes) isn't cheap and a simple email such as Q of Quotes suggested is defo in order...

Ring them - mine never responded to emails and when I eventually got through on the phone they had booked up. Fortunately they ran an extra one which I got on to right at the end which I'm so glad I did as I've made some brilliant friends.

yep !

The NCT are bringing in a new system for booking classes, not run by volunteers, so in future this sort of thing shouldn't happen. Loisstella, I'd encourage you to keep trying (phone is better than email) but don't be put off the NCT as an organisation because one volunteer hasn't responded quickly enough. Yes, it is bad that you haven't been contacted but the person who deals with emails may well be on holiday or have some family problem. Give them the benefit of the doubt and keep trying.

Piffle - if you joined fairly recently, the problem could be with Head Office. They've got problems with a new membership database which has meant branches aren't aware of new members or members who've renewed so haven't been able to send out information. Contact your branch direct and they should be able to help you. Of course, if you're in a bad area with a not-very-good branch, I can't offer any advice (other than volunteer yourself and improve things!!!).

YANBU I'm 21 weeks and still haven't heard anything other than they'll let me know, it is stressful not to hear when you know they get booked up early - understand the volunteer perspective but so many friends haven't been able to go becasue of this and I think the same is going to happen to me. Going to email again tonight, thanks for reminding me! hope you get somewhere soon

I found NCT so snotty and cliquey and unhelpful. I decided that I would be better off with NHS antenatal classes, and it's not difficult meeting other mums when you have your new baby!

you miserable woman

Mine never responded to e-mails or returned phone calls. Still sending me magazines even though my membership expired yonks ago. They need some decent paid admin to get it organised, even thought that would mean raising the membership fee, but at least people would benefit from it.