Dear Editor,
I attended the home protection seminar organised by AFPOP at the Mestre Raposa showroom on the EN125 on 26th October and left very disappointed. What was advertised as an event offering independent advice to homeowners involving the GNR turned out to be simply a demonstration by three companies, Mestre Raposa, Securitas Direct and Medal of their own products.
The evening started with seemingly angry Michael Reeve blaming the GNR for not turning up saying that they had “refused to attend” but he gave no reasons. He then invited people if they were angry to try and smash one of Mestre Raposa’s windows. Around a third of people left after 10 minutes. To me it was a wasted journey and I would like to ask AFPOP the following questions A) When were they informed by the GNR that they would not attend? b) What reasons were given for this? c) Why was it advertised right up to the event itself that the GNR would be present? To remain credible as an association these questions need to be answered.
J. Martins
Almancil
Editor’s note: The Algarve Resident asked afpop to reply. Michael Reeve, the association CEO, responded: “When the seminar was organised the GNR in Loulé indicated that they would attend and only after it had been published in the press advised us they would not be able to do so, saying that they could not attend something which they considered to be a commercial promotion. Unfortunately as they pulled out this meant that it could only be a commercial promotion. We spent some time trying to persuade them to change their mind and also looking for an alternative GNR presence, but were unfortunately unable to do so.
I was not angry when I gave the initial presentation but I was disappointed with the decision and anyone who thought that my invitation to smash the window was in anger at the GNR, was clearly not seeing that I was simply trying to bring a little levity to the situation. In fact we took questions from a number of people who attended to speak to the GNR and undertook to pass them on for a response.
I do not see that afpop’s credibility is compromised by circumstances out of our control and which we made every possible attempt to rectify, particularly as we have passed on the requests for information that were given to us. If your correspondent had contacted me at afpop rather than through the press I would have been happy to discuss this with them.”
