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Telemarketers Sue Over "Do Not Call" List

Joey Patterson writes "CNN reports that 'Telemarketers expanded their legal challenge to the government's do-not-call list, suing a second federal agency over the call-blocking service for consumers that the industry says will devastate business and cost as many as two million jobs.'"

8 of 1,004 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Cost two million jobs... by Suppafly · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's not really two million jobs anyway.. the same industry that does outbound telemarketing also does inbound telemarketing, and they count all of them employees when they figure up how many jobs it is. Realistically, most of the people they are counting do inbound service and wouldn't be effected anyway.

  2. Re:repeat after me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Caller ID works as welL. The thing that I find amazing is that with caller ID the industry still seems to thrive.

    Because telemarkerters either don't provide caller ID information, or they LIE with what they do provide.

  3. Re:MOD PARENT UP by stratjakt · · Score: 4, Informative

    You can sue anyone for anything, that's your right as an american citizen.

    Civil cases have always been about someone trying to convince the judge that something isnt fair, and the judge proclaiming the most effective argument (ie loudest) the winner.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  4. Re:repeat after me by mal3 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Nope. Been in a car accident lately? I was and for the next two days I was called by no fewer than 10 lawyers, body shops, and chiropractors. The list will stop all those calls.

    --
    Non gratis rodentus anus
  5. Re:Caller ID doesn't work for ME. by MImeKillEr · · Score: 4, Informative

    Two words:

    Privacy Manager

    We've got it at home. All calls coming from anyplace that doesn't display the originating phone number are dumped to a VRU. The VRU asks for a passcode. If no passcode is entered, the VRU prompts for the name. The VRU then calls us and gives us the option of 1)taking the call, 2)hanging up, 3)dumping to CallNotes.

    Combine this with CallerID, CallWaiting CallerID, CallNotes, CallBlocker and Anonymous CallBlocker and very few calls get through.

    The only calls that do publish their phone number to CallerID. Asking for a manager, getting their info and then informing them to remove us from their list or face a $500 fine next time they call is all it takes.

    Sure, the entire package costs $80/mo but its worth it.

    --
    Cruising the internet on my TI-99/4A @ a whopping 300 baud!
  6. Re:Cost two million jobs... by Politburo · · Score: 4, Informative

    Is there a constitutional right to privacy that I missed?

    Amendment IX
    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

    Yes.

  7. Re:The very same reason we get spammed? by WaxParadigm · · Score: 5, Informative

    "I am at a loss as to just what sort of job loss the telemarketing association is referring to."

    Telemarketing, from what I understant, is the leading field of employment in terms of employing people who were previously on government-funded welfare programs. There will be a tremedous job loss, and it will be lost jobs for the poorest and least-educated people.

  8. Re:Call Me! by KarmaPolice · · Score: 5, Informative

    Even better (From Seinfeld):
    http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Communications_Offic e/Justice_Pfeifer/2002/jp082802.asp

    For those to lasy to click a link:

    "SEINFELD: (ANSWERING PHONE) Hello.

    "(TELEMARKETER): Hi. Would you be interested in switching over to TMI long-distance service?

    "SEINFELD: Oh, gee, I can't talk right now. Why don't you give me your home number and I'll call you later?

    "(A LONG PAUSE) (TELEMARKETER): Well, I'm sorry. We're not allowed to do that.

    "SEINFELD: I guess you don't want people calling you at home.

    "(TELEMARKETER): No.

    "SEINFELD: Well, now you know how I feel."