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160,000 Join Massachusetts Do-Not-Call List
MacAndrew writes "The Boston Globe reported that over 160,000 people signed up since the first of the year for the state's new do-not-call list, which imposes penalties as high as $5,500 per violation. Nonprofit and political calls are exempt. This list is being implemented well in advance of the proposed FTC national do-not-call list. Residents can sign up by mail, phone, or online. Mass. officials predict a third of the 3 million residential lines will enroll. Legal challenge from marketers appears likely, although the Direct Marketing Association helpfully lists state do-not-call registries. Click here for the DMA's side of the story."
Congressman: A "do not call list," eh? My constituents will love this!
Aide: What about businesses that rely on telemarketing?
Congressman: Maybe if they can "persuade" me (nudge, nudge), I'll change my mind. Heh.
Aide: But sir! How will we drum up support for our re-election bid?
Congressman: Hmmm. Good point. Let's throw in a few exemptions for "political" campaigns.
Aide: Won't that make you look hypocritical?
Congressman: Nah, I just toss in "non-profit organizations" to deflect attention. It's a home run!
"The Federal Trade Commission is planning on creating a new "national do-not-call" list which could greatly diminish the number of potential call recipients. Should the federal government be in the business of tearing down this industry? Make your voices heard."
"tearing down this industry" I love it. When the "industry" is calling people in their homes and annoying them with your "amazing new offer," then I say yes! This summer, at my job, Verizon actually called us 3 times in the same day! Seriously. I liked my boss' approach. As soon as they started talking: "I can tell already that I don't want to talk to you." *click"
I think my favorite though is my friend who, when called by some bank being offered a credit card responded with something along the lines of: "That's great! This is just what I need right now. All 6 of my other cards are maxed out, and I had to take out a second mortgage on my house. I was really wondering what I was goign to do!" I think that they actually hung up on her.
Do not read this sig.
someone probably once said, "it'll be a sad day when people exploit the openness of core internet protocols for commercial gain"
ostiguy
when telemarketers are such a great form of entertainment. When telemarketers call me, I don't just hang up- I prank them. I pretend to have a heart attack, or to kill someone, or ask them what they're wearing. Bonus points for the more you can scare/piss them off.
Hell, they're wasting my time by bugging me, providing a ource of amusement is the least they can do.
I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
All you out of staters /.ers get off the server!! I'm trying to sign up, dammit!!
If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
Something amusing: In Commonwealth English, the term "solicitor" refers to a lawyer. When I first visited the US, the airport had these annoucements about how you did not have to give money to solicitors, and the airport did not encourage their activities. I found this funny.
sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f(q{sub f{($f)=@_;print"$f(q{$f});";}f});
i wouldn't do that....
i often ask if they are on salary on a commission based job...
if they are commission, i tell them that IF they were salary based i would sit and chat so they would have something to do, but since they are commissioned, they need to get another #$%@#% job.
and sometimes, i've chatted with people for so long, they get caught by their boss and fake chit chat...
Runnin' On Empty
Professional telemarketers are trained to respect people's right to say "no," hang up, or be permanently taken off of a calling list
Don't you ever say 'professional' and 'telemarketer' in the same sentence.
I pledge allegiance to the flag...
of the Corporate States of America...