There should be a law . . .

[Foamy Dog]

How about a law that makes telemarketing illegal?

Or a law that says telemarketers must have written permission to call?

Or a law that says if you are on a "do not call list" that the telemarketer on the other end is given a severe uncontrollable diarrhea inducing electric shock   ? Well there is such a law (minus the electric shock unfortunately) under way in Tennessee. (Way to go!!)  ;D

Telemarketing is just plain annoying, just like door to door solicitors. The difference is that it's kind of hard at the moment to put a "no soliciting" sign on your phone number.

It's about time that this is made possible! On second thought, strike out the "about."

--Foamy Dog [/color]

[[e-mail]]

Colorado has just passed the same kind of law, actually.  It will now be illegal to call anyone who isn't on a statewide do not call list...  THANK GOD!!

[FRED accordingtofredcom]

The telemarketer and bill collector have a weapon to use against you; your phone number, often times your name and sometimes even your address.

What do you mean FRED??

They come from a position of power, they know you but you have no idea who they are and in most cases they hide their return numbers to keep you from tracking them. It is their lack of truth that makes them unwelcome in our homes and god help you if you chew them out, they will torment and punish you for defending yourself against them by calling and harassing you when ever possible. That is why we sit through their pitch and say no thank you when we really want to tell them "%$#@#$%". They should be illegal without exception.

[FRED]

Hey Foamy!! Your system attempts to recognize and change foul language, every time "A S S" is found it is changed to butt, (even inside of other words) making us sound like retards. Could this be fixed?

[Foamy Dog]

Fred,

Great point about the telemarketers! I want a way to electrocute them right through the phone when they harass people on purpose.

By the way, I went ahead and made ass legal (a little donkey seems harmless enough) thanks for pointing out the problem.

--FD

[logan42]

There is already a law on the books in Indiana. I signed up a few weeks ago and the telemarketing calls have ground to a slow trickle.
There are a few exceptions, The local paper, FOP, Insurance salesmen.... but for the most part there all gone.
It's sort of sad cause I always enjoyed telling people I was dead or Horriblly injured.
I'd then go on to tell them about my arm or leg or some sad story that makes them sorry they called.
Of couse theres always the swear word and hang up approach, but I like to see how long I can get them listening to me ramble.

[Foamy Dog]

Ah yes, the rambling tactic. I've had some fun with this one myself .

I remember one quite long conversation with a telemarketer that I began with a few questions like, "what time is it?" and what's the weather like where you are?" and I soon moved the conversation into stranger subject matter such as "did you know that the racoons in this area are loosing their ability to remember color?"

They finally gave up and and went on to harass other folks but at least I kept them from it for half an hour or so.

--FD

[nospace]

[e-mail]

I have a little tone you can put on your answering machine at the very beginning of your messaage that tells computer generate calls that your phone number is diosconnected - just like that 40 dollar telezapper does. If you want it - use the email link at the top of this post with subject saying telephone tone!

[pero]

Oregon has a "no call list" program. I still get a small number of solicitors, most of them have finally stopped. Other than Credit Card companies calling me trying to sell me insurance, TV Guide, and long distance carriers -- which have all been told NOT to call me back.

www.ornocall.com/index.htm <- about the list

[David Pendleton]

Hello,
Just to let you know, I am a telemarkter, I work at Civic Development Group and call places like California, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Maryland for their local FOPs. I despise my job because I know people hate telemarketing, therefore it causes them to resent if not hate me. The only reason I work there is the fact that I make $8.50 p/hr.
The problem with telemarketing is that they do not stop at one call they call time after time after time. What the government should do is get a national do not call list to end telemarketing for good, even for the FOPs and things of that nature. Now, I do realize that I would be out of a job, but hopefully I would receive a hefty severence pay and be set well enough to pay for college, a house and a car.
Well enough of that, thank you for setting up a great site and a wonderful board.

Sincerely,
David E. Pendleton

[garrett7855]

This is NOT a plug for the phone co, but in my region, the SE USA, my phone company has a system that stop the computer dialed calls 100% Hooray!!!! ;D

[Ramadayan]

I thought conservatives didn't like unnecessary laws that interfere with the free market and personal freedom. I always knew abortion was an exception to this philosophy, but I guess telemarketing is another.
Ram N.

[commonsense]

I think the *69 feature with the phone company, should be included automatically with standard service, at no extra charge!!! That way... you could call right back and annoy them! I bet, eventually... telemarketing would dwindle quite a bit...

[Angmar]

I don't see what all the fuss is about, I can hang up fairly easily.

[Cheerleader2005]

Again I say...
Listen, I understand that you guys don't like to be interrupted in your time, but i'm 16. I have no money, and teleservices was the only place hiring. They offered good pay, and I thought that most people would have the common decency to at least be kind to another human being on the phone. I am monitered constantly, and it's all done by computers. I don't dial any numbers, nor do i choose the numbers to call. The call falshes on the screen when they pick up the receiver, and I HAVE to try my best to sell them the product. I HAVE to hear a refusal at least twice in a row in order to not get fired. Also, after tha call, I choose from a list to disposition the calls. Some options are Do not call, Callback (But I probably wouldn't be the one calling back, it goes through the computer), Early Hang up, Answering Machine, Foreign Speaking, etc... I ALWAYS put people on the Do not call list when they ask to be. But that can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks. Also, I can't help it if I'm the 10th person to call you, I don't know that! As far as I'm concerned, I assume you are a kind decent human being and will politely say, "I'm not interested... But thank you!" That's what I did even before I was a telemarketer. I am a smart, mature 16 year old girl who has mental health problems. I am out of school because of my health, and I'm trying to save up money to get myself through college eventually. I am suicidal, and I cut my wrists. When someone yells at me, or hangs up on me, or cusses at me, I could very well commit suicide right there. I am very sensitive, and I'm trying to work on that. But I HATE it when someone looks down on me just because I have chosen a profession that they don't like. I am not some DUMB telemarketer. I got an 1100 on my SAT in the 8th grade. I love shakespeare, John Keats, and I am probably the only teenager who could write a book on medieval england. I am a very polite person. I am one of those people who will say "Sorry!" if I run into a trash can or something. Just out of habit. I have housed many of my friends who have either been kicked out or had a baby. I volunteer at my local library, and tutor children for free also. I go to church almost every sunday, and I love God, and I love people. I thought this would be a great way to use my people skills, but the Human Race has once again proven to be a decrepid old materialistic, self-absorbed species who assumes that the world revolves around their lives. God forbid I take 2 minutes of your so PRECIOUS time to try and make my boss happy. Also, if you just hang up, we HAVE to put your name on the callback list. So if you're going to be rude, at least be smart about it. Also, I usually NEVER praise myself this much, and I apologize. I am just sick of being put down all the time. After all, I have done nothing to physically, emotionally, or spiratually abuse you or your loved ones. So BE NICE! And stop your little theory that all telemarketers are evil. It's simply just not true....

Sincerely,
~Alison*