"Who Pressed The Hold Button?"

[CAPrincess]

You know I can understand both sides of the issue. I used to work as a telemarketer a long time ago and let me tell you, NEVER again! I hated that job. I hated having to call people and having to sell useless products to them. I lasted two weeks.
I don't like having people call me trying to sell me crap I don't want or need. I once had a phone company call me three days in a row trying to get me to change services. The first two times I politely declined and asked them to take me off their calling list. The third time I admit I lost my temper. I screamed at the guy who called and asked to speak to his supervisor. When the supervisor got on the phone, I reamed him a new one and I told him to never, ever call me again and that I had already asked TWICE to be removed from their list.
That's why I signed up for the do-not-call list. Asking them to take you off their list doesn't work. Now I have caller ID, security screen and anonymous call rejection as part of my phone service package. Why should I have to pay to be left alone?

 

[cbg]

You want compassion for the actual telemarketers? Sure. They have a lousy, rotten job and I'm sure they're miserable doing it. That's a shame.

But I STILL don't want them calling me, during dinner or at any other time. And the law says I don't have to. So that's why I signed up with the national do not call registry. And if the people who manage the employees who are actually on the phones don't like it, too darned bad.

 

[CCPENNOCK]

If I am not near my caller ID and I answer the phone I say hello twice and then hang up. Some times it is someone who has us on a speaker phone they now know to answer right away or they have to call back. If you have a message on your answering machine saying not to call back do telemarketers have to honor that message?

 

[stephenk]

I sometimes give the phone to my four year old so he can talk to them. I figure it's equal intelligence on both sides of the line.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Well, as of yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Congress' reinstatement of the "Do-Not-Call" law on "Equal Protection" grounds; i.e., if politicians and charities are exempted, then the law is unconstitutional.

It's highly unlikely Congressional leaders will become involved in this matter again - - based in part on the fact that they, themselves, don't want any restrictions on their abilities to call voters.

How wonderful.

So, the October 1, 2003 date is once again OFF.

IAAL

 

[HomeGuru]

Shucks. I was waiting for a "don't ask, don't tell, don't call" regulation.

 

[Beth3]

Bigfoot, I'm sure telemarketers have a miserable job but you said it yourself - "who really WANTS to get chewed out with nearly every phone call!" No one of course but what does that tell you. NOBODY WANTS THESE PHONE CALLS.

I have a phone in my home for MY convenience, not that of telemarketers, political candidates, charitable organizations, etc. My phone is for MY use and no one else's - I certainly didn't install it so I could have telemarketers calling day and night, as they have for years. My State instituted a "no call" list last year and I registered on day one. It's been heavenly.