From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands

We've all had to deal with them, the unwanted calls at inconvenient times trying to sell us things we don't want.  In recently years many of us have flocked to sign up for the Do Not Call list, barring telemarketers (except non-profits and political groups) from disturbing your dinner.  However, the calls still come.  Companies ignore the no-call lists and don't respect your requests to be removed from their database (something they're obligated by law to do if you request it) and it seems like there's nothing any of us can do about it.

But, there actually is!

A man in California took some time to look into the laws surrounding telemarketing and found that the same law that introduced the Do Not Call list, also has a provision for consumers to directly sue companies that violate the rules for $500/call.  So far, he's pulled in about $6,000!

Read more at Red Tape @ MSNBC.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 14, 2007

What pisses me off is the 'junk faxes'.  They do more than just interrupt, as they also waste paper/ink.

Last one I responded to [a fax/ink cartridge co] I made reference to their impending need to have to stick their collective hands down their throats to continue scratching their balls.

I think it is gross mis-management of the legal process to have to 'opt out'.

Clearly these bastards have commercial clout, and legislators' pockets.

It SHOULD be illegal...unless you specifically OPT IN.

on Feb 14, 2007
What pisses me off is the 'junk faxes'


The bastards are highly supported by the ink and paper suppliers.   

It is costing our company a couple hundred dollars a year.

The FCC has a fax # to send all blind faxes to. They have yet to cause any slowdown in the faxes and I have talked to them several times. Most of the facksers are outside the US so they do nothing.

We can't do business without a fax. It really stinks.

If any faxes have a return # on them I fax back telling them we will never do business with them under any circumstances. A couple have called to apologize. I then told them to go die in a fire.   
on Feb 14, 2007
One eejit phoned me to pedal his phone provider; of course his number was hidden, I told him his line was very poor and static ridden - he let slip he was calling on skype through a PC, so I said why would I use his provider he didn't even use it and besides it is one that allows their telesales to hide behind a concealed number - hardly called being being proud of their service.
I too put unsolicited faxes in a file as people never to do business with.
on Feb 15, 2007
The last time i got a call from one of these Telemarketers that originate in india I decided to put in an order for an indian dinner.Funny enough they havent called me ever since.Some times you just need to thik outside the square to deal with some anoying problems.
on Feb 15, 2007
decided to put in an order for an indian dinner


Priceless!!

"What is it precisely that you are wishing to order? Our special today is 'chai, chappatti, saabji, bar rupee'. Yes and we will be sure to deliver every order promptly! Where is it exakitally that you are calling from, again, please?"
on Feb 15, 2007
What pisses me off is the 'junk faxes'. They do more than just interrupt, as they also waste paper/ink.

Send an fax back where you tape the end of your fax together to make a loop.
on Feb 15, 2007
Send an fax back where you tape the end of your fax together to make a loop.


  

We even get the nigerian spam mails in fax form.
on Feb 15, 2007
In regard to faxes: God Bless America! 
US law regarding unsolicited faxes: TITLE 47 > CHAPTER 5 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part I > § 227 Section B 1 B and C 5
on Feb 15, 2007
hm... time to get a fax machine and move to America to make my fortune...
on Feb 15, 2007
They should make outbound call centers illegal, if you cant make add banners then u don't deserve any money
on Feb 19, 2007
You are so abusive, so nasty, so patience-stretching that it's extremely difficult to staff a phone room these days because who the hell wants to deal with that six or eight hours a day?


Soooo, we are winning? Cool!!!!!   
on Feb 19, 2007

Brave, admitting to be a Telemarketer.

Some cock-eyed excuse for a delay for removal from such invasive abuse of the Telecom Act will not wash.

Do your world a service.  Find another employ.

on Feb 19, 2007
Ironical...Postmen that deliver mail the old fashion and legal way are killing each other (going postal). Yet telemarketers refrain from injuring each other. Such an unfair world.   
on Feb 19, 2007

I sleep well at night knowing my life efforts will leave this world in a better condition than when I entered it.

If you can genuinely say the same, then good for you....

on Feb 20, 2007
In the morning I'm gonna buy a high pitched whistle.....

I've had a gutful of telemarketers ringing several times a day until all hours....

One particular telemarketer - who has rung us more than once every day for a fortnight - is gonna be the first on my hit list. The polite "no thanks" on the first call wasn't enough, and no matter how rude and obnoxious we've been to get the piss off message across, the mongrel just keeps ringing so it's whistle time.
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