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Post by msguide on Jul 7, 2009 18:26:26 GMT -8
We cancelled our subscription to the Tennessean because they have moved so far left as to be off the chart in their editorial policy. They don't have much original writing, so why should I read something tomorrow that I got on the Internet two days ago? Sports coverage sucks. It's all Titans all the time, and there are other sports.
Anyway, now they call us 5 or 6 times a day (Caller ID says so) to ask us to subscribe. We don't usually answer, but by the third call this evening, I picked up the phone and yelled at the woman not to ever, ever call here again.
I wrote the publisher and the director of marketing for the paper, as well as my US Congressman and my TN Rep and TN Senator.
What's the point of having a National and Tennessee Do Not Call Registry if the law cannot be enforced?
Share your vent here!
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Post by hatboromike on Jul 8, 2009 5:09:49 GMT -8
Caller ID and voice mail ... Best Inventions since the hammock!
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Post by msguide on Jul 8, 2009 5:56:17 GMT -8
We don't answer the phone unless it's someone we know. Target calls when prescriptions are ready, and that's great. But telemarketers just drive us crazy.
The phone rings and rings and rings and rings. Caller ID displays on the television, so we don't answer.
Voice Mail picks up and the message begins.
At the sound of my voice the dog begins to howl. When the tone to leave a message or the hangup/dial tone sounds, the howling gets louder.
Repeat five times. Same %&#% displays every time.
Wow! What a fun way to spend a quiet evening at home.
I changed the message: You have reached xxx-xxxx. We do not accept calls from telemarketers of any kind. We are on the National Do Not Call Registry and the Tennessee Do Not Call Registry. If you are a telemarketer, hang up and do not ever call here again. If you are someone we know and would like to speak to one of us, please leave a message and we'll call you back.
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Post by duckman on Jul 8, 2009 5:56:54 GMT -8
We cancelled our subscription to the Tennessean because they have moved so far left as to be off the chart in their editorial policy. They don't have much original writing, so why should I read something tomorrow that I got on the Internet two days ago? Sports coverage sucks. It's all Titans all the time, and there are other sports. Anyway, now they call us 5 or 6 times a day (Caller ID says so) to ask us to subscribe. We don't usually answer, but by the third call this evening, I picked up the phone and yelled at the woman not to ever, ever call here again. I wrote the publisher and the director of marketing for the paper, as well as my US Congressman and my TN Rep and TN Senator. What's the point of having a National and Tennessee Do Not Call Registry if the law cannot be enforced? Share your vent here! I think that there is an exemption in the "Do not call list law" in which if you have had any business or other contact, they can call you. I would call anyone and everyone who works at the paper as often as you can (approaching but not meeting harassment !!!!!) complaining until they remove you. Or just do like my brother used to do and keep them on the line as long as you can stringing they out and NOT BUYING what they are selling ! |
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Post by msguide on Jul 8, 2009 6:08:56 GMT -8
I emailed the publisher, and the market development guy, my US Rep, my State Rep and state Senator.
The Tennessee law prohibits more than three calls a week for exempt businesses. I don't know if that means three answered calls, or just three calls. Either way, you'd think "No" means "No." At our house it means "$*%# No." We got five calls from the paper plus two more from another number just yesterday.
When I signed up for my credit card, I told them in no uncertain terms that the first time I got some sort of solicitation call from them, I would ask to be transferred to customer service and I would cancel the account on the spot. They have never called. We have had a Kroger Plus card for about 15 years and they have never called.
I told my elected officials that I want a law with teeth in it. I want an online form to file complaints and I want them to prosecute and assess the fines.
I might email a guy from one of the local TV channels who does spots on "That's Messed Up!"
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Post by Dave on Jul 8, 2009 11:02:27 GMT -8
I changed the message: You have reached xxx-xxxx. We do not accept calls from telemarketers of any kind. We are on the National Do Not Call Registry and the Tennessee Do Not Call Registry. If you are a telemarketer, hang up and do not ever call here again. If you are someone we know and would like to speak to one of us, please leave a message and we'll call you back. A few years back, my message said "Calls from telemarketers, and other criminals, are not welcome at this number. Calls from anyone else are. Please leave a message". I actually had a telemarketer leave a message and said "That was cruel". |
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Post by Maxf1ex on Jul 8, 2009 16:39:26 GMT -8
Funny think about the law ...
it does not apply to some groups. Such as the already stated companies you do business with.
Government or charities.
And what is classified as a call from overseas (out of the US call). Yes, this does mean telemarketers from Mexico can call with out no legal recourse. One of the best kept secrets is .... that the number you see in the caller ID is not always the number they are calling from. Most of the PBX's (Private Branch Exchange) that are sold nowadays are able to program any number they wish to have show up on your caller ID.
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Post by msguide on Jul 8, 2009 20:12:37 GMT -8
Funny think about the law ... it does not apply to some groups. Such as the already stated companies you do business with. Nonprofit and political calling has no restriction, but under Tennessee law, for-profit companies are not supposed to call more than three times a week. Five times a day is too much. The way I figure it, at $3K a pop, have the state assess the fine. The state gets the money, the paper goes out of business, and I'm off the hook. |
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Post by Maxf1ex on Jul 9, 2009 2:20:01 GMT -8
Funny think about the law ... it does not apply to some groups. Such as the already stated companies you do business with. Nonprofit and political calling has no restriction, but under Tennessee law, for-profit companies are not supposed to call more than three times a week. Five times a day is too much. The way I figure it, at $3K a pop, have the state assess the fine. The state gets the money, the paper goes out of business, and I'm off the hook. While I dislike the fine going to the state (it should be spread out to the people they are calling) a call trace is the only sure way to have a record that the state could trace and make a case. Just reporting the number really in this day and age does not mean much. Besides, all the times I have reported a number I have received no reply from the government on if anything was done. |
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Post by Douglass on Jul 9, 2009 3:31:50 GMT -8
Nonprofit and political calling has no restriction, but under Tennessee law, for-profit companies are not supposed to call more than three times a week. Five times a day is too much. The way I figure it, at $3K a pop, have the state assess the fine. The state gets the money, the paper goes out of business, and I'm off the hook. While I dislike the fine going to the state (it should be spread out to the people they are calling) a call trace is the only sure way to have a record that the state could trace and make a case. Just reporting the number really in this day and age does not mean much. Besides, all the times I have reported a number I have received no reply from the government on if anything was done. Im in agreeaiance that fine should go straight into my pocket ;D |
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Post by msguide on Jul 9, 2009 7:43:00 GMT -8
If it's a difference between the State assesssing a fine and me paying higher taxes, I'm happy to do without the penalty fine and and the phone calls.
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