Telemarketers sue over do-not-call list

[RitaZ.]

cnn

 

[TiggerPiglet]

I really don't understand why the telemarketers would oppose this list. The people who are signing up for this list do not want to be called. Wouldn't the telemarketers rather call people they have a shot at selling something to. This list would actually save them a ton of money in phone calls by not calling people they know don't want to be called. I guess they just like annoying people

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by TiggerPiglet
I really don't understand why the telemarketers would oppose this list. The people who are signing up for this list do not want to be called. Wouldn't the telemarketers rather call people they have a shot at selling something to. This list would actually save them a ton of money in phone calls by not calling people they know don't want to be called. I guess they just like annoying people

Not only to annoy, but just think of all the elderly people that get pressured into buying who knows what from these telemarketers. I can't wait for October when this kicks in. If I wan't to buy something, I know how to look in the paper, on the internet, make phone calls, etc. I don't need people calling me all day and into the night to see if I need a new windshield, or if I am ready to take the vacation of a lifetime at the 100 Years of Magic in Walt Disney WOrld (Duh, it was over in March), refinance my mortgage, etc etc etc. I believe telemarketers have a place inthe business world, such as University Alumni Associations calling alums for fundraising, or if I have bought a priduct form someone, they know I have aninterest. But cold calling out of the blue get you a polite no thank you at my house.

 

[gina2000]

My mother is a senior citizen and she must get 15 calls a day......all hours of the day and evening. It's horrible to live that way.

 

[Disneymoon04]

I can't wait until this list goes into effect!

You know, I applied for a certain credit card and got denied... now at least twice a week they call offering a credit card since they now have my information! HELLO!?!? You denied me!

 

[TLinden16]

You know, maybe I should sue about this do not call list. I mean, come on. I signed up for it, but now I realize that because I signed up for it, I've basically taken away my right to be rude to some schumk getting paid $7 an hour to call me when dinner is on the table (ok, more like the TV tray when we are trying to watch Wheel of Fortune). I mean, how else will I hear about the great deal on that magazine that I don't really need or want, but can't pass up because it's such a great deal. Who am I going hang up the phone with a big slam now? Oh the horror.

Seriously, though, the number of calls are ridiculous. I have always felt that if someone calls me or comes to my door trying to sell me a product, it probably isn't something that i want. If I want something, I'm going to go to the store or go on the internet, research, and make an informed decision. Some people are compulsive buyers. A woman I work with bought like $1600 worth of meat from one of those meat distributors because they offered her a free freezer for buying that much meat. They salesman called her up, and she bought all these steaks, and she doesn't even eat steaks! If the call didn't come, she wouldn't have spent the money. It's insane!

Well, that's all for now. I'm hanging up on all of you because I won't be able to hang up on the telemarketers as much in a few months.

Karen

 

[GeorgeG]

This is just one of the reasons my cell phone has become my primary phone. The house phone is picked up by the answering machine and the telemarketers are usually dumped off as soon as that happens.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I have personal experience in the telemarketing business. Last year when we moved again (because we are in the military), I had to take a job as a telemarketer to help our family. This is what happened to me.
In the interview, I took a math test, and read a short script to show that I was able to read. They told me the pay rate was 5.75 an hour. The next day, I came in for my "training". I was in a classroom with about 30 people and we read through scripts, they showed up basic keys on the computer, and stressed the importance of getting that sale. You are required to make sales or you are out of there!
The next day we were moved into another room and we were all sitting in front of computers. They told us that today we were going to start making some calls. We were all looking around at each other, thinking "they're kidding right"? Nope, they expected us to be ready to call people and sell them credit cards. We were selling the bank one visa cards that people were preapproved for, we just had to get their ok to send them out. These were nice cards with low interest rates, no annual fees, limit up to 100,000. Sounds simple, right? WRONG!!!
So this is how it works; you are sitting behind your computer and you hear a "beep" on your headset. The person you are calling is already on the line. You then .10 seconds to say "Hello, may I speak with __________, please?" If the person your calling's last name is hard to pronounce you better figure it out in a hurry. This is why you hear dead air and have to say hello 3 or 4 times before a telemarketer comes on the line.
Another thing, telemarketers don't get to choose who they call. It is programed into the computer and after you hang up with one person, in about 5 seconds you here another beep and another person is on the line. This can be pretty fast paced, esp. if you get alot of rejects.
Now, while these untrained, confused people are trying to make calls, the "trainers" are standing over us yelling "Someone needs to get a sale!! Who is going to get that first sale?!!!" What??? Are you kidding me? Do you really expect me to make a sale on my first day? No, they are serious. When someone finally did make a sale, they give them a "prize". It is a cheap school carnival type prize, or the kind you stuff in a pinata.
Anyway, I did finally make a sale, but not until the second night. I think that when you are calling these people, if are not already wanting a new card, then there is no way you are going to convince them to get one.
Another thing is the stress that is involved with the job. You have managers breathing down your neck (literally, they are walking behind you all the time), and the people you are calling don't understand you didn't choose them, you are just trying to feed your family with a job that was the only job available at that time. The rejection from the people I was calling was really starting to mess with my brain. It's hard not to take it personal when you get yelled at, cursed out, hung up on, threatened all day long.
Well, the story ends with me only lasting 3 weeks. I had to get out of there. I made 2-3 sales per day, and they tried to get me not to leave (the average person sells 1-2 per day), but I couldn't take it anymore. I went and found a job at Mcdonalds and worked there through the christmas season, then I finally found the great job I have now. Yes, I get my share of telemarketer calls too, and I think the new law is great because it will weed out those people that don't want calls, but I am also very sensitive to them when they call me and I am always polite when I tell them no. Believe me, there is an actual person with feelings on the other end that is probably just trying to take care of their family