LET'S SOLVE THE "TELEMARKETING PROBLEM"

Posted:  1 May 12

RELIEF FROM UNSOLICITED TELEMARKETING CALLS

A.  PURPOSE

1.  To convey phone and web access to the "National DO NOT CALL Registry," which allows citizens to "opt out" on receiving unwelcome marketing calls (see paragraph D., below).

2.  To offer one analysis of the "National Telemarketing Problem," and how that problem might be resolved to everyone's satisfaction -- more or less.

B.  PROBLEM

As you may have noticed, in addition to land lines, CELL PHONES are also being called, uninvited and often at inconvenient times, by telemarketing companies, often at our personal expense.  It's one thing if the calls are for altruistic causes, but quite a different matter for the rest of them.  This whole thing contains a taste of unjust victimization -- and can be quite disruptive.

C.  ONE INTERPRETATION

1.  MANY BUSINESSES HAVE LITTLE CHOICE.  
I understand that telemarketing is an important tool for helping businesses to grow --- and growth of honorable business is a good thing for all of us.  Many businesses probably have no choice but to use this tool, if they hope to compete in a tough marketplace.  That's where government comes in.  It levels the playing field.  So, this is not to cast aspersions on any business' sense of honor.  

2.  CITIZENS HAVE VIRTUALLY NO CHOICE.  
It's just that citizens need relief, too, so we aren't distracted, unnecessarily, from doing our part for society.  This strains and drains our scarce personal resources with unpleasant disruptive emotions -- and, collectively, hurts our productivity and readiness for life's more pressing challenges.  Our homes are sacrosanct and undisturbed tranquility is essential for self-renewal.

There is virtually no limit to the number of unsolicited calls a citizen can receive in any given day.

3.  A WIN-LOSE or WIN-"MAYBE-WIN" IMBALANCE.  
The present practice seems a most UNFAIR arrangement and feels like an aggressively indifferent squandering of social resources.

It's ALMOST like saying: "We're going to intrude ourselves on as many lives as we can -- at a moment we know, without a doubt, will be most inconvenient (with information that PROBABLY won't even be needed or wanted). But we're going to have to force others to  pay something (time & expense), involuntarily, for our numbers game.  And, we don't (or can't) particularly care if we disrupt tranquility and steal precious time, to which we are not entitled -- we have a lottery to win -- and that's that."  

4.  A REGRESSIVE "NON-GOVERNMENTAL TAX."  
Seems to me (and a lot of others), this is a problem in need of a better solution -- but not at our unfair and random expense.  Aren't we already paying, pretty much, our fair share in keeping things running and improving?  Don't "tax" us this way -- while leaving us nothing (or little) to say about it.  It must be clear that this is a terribly undesirable way to go about needful things.  The government seems to agree and has given us a remedy that seems to be working, fairly well.

D.  MAKING IT STOP

Citizens can "block" these discourteous-feeling calls by enrolling each of our individual phones with the "National DO NOT CALL Registry" (and, we can "fix" ALL of our phones at the same time there).  

Again, many businesses are caught up in this "wave," and can't make it stop on their own -- if they hope to survive.  They all must stop or none can -- if just a few try to stop, they risk "going under," for their trouble.  THEREFORE, WE CITIZENS HAVE TO CLOSE THIS DOOR FOR THEM.

And, the alert are always spotting and exploiting "loop-holes" in the law.  A call or email to Local, State and Federal legislators may help toward dealing with this, long-term, but may or may not offer immediate relief.

E.  ONCE AND FOR ALL

Your registration will not expire. Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. 

And, if someone is violating your expressed wishes -- you can do something about that, too -- to at least place more of the expense where it belongs.

F.  IF ENOUGH OF US DO THIS 

With determination, maybe we can cure this little, but costly, social distraction, so we can focus more on the ills that really need our attention and scarce energies.

Read more about it and take action at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm.

G.  MEANWHILE

1.  A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE.  
Not to tell anyone their business, but what if telemarketers tried to convey this idea -- quickly?

"We're so sorry to have to inconvenience you with this unexpected call from the ____ Company.  But this is the only way we have to learn if we might be of service.  May we have 30 seconds to tell you enough (or to give you our web address), so you can decide whether we may contact you, in a manner of your choosing, to tell you a little more about us?  We might have something you need and want." 

2.  TIMING IS ALMOST EVERYTHING.  
I think I, for one, could live with something like that -- but within a reasonable "window," say, before and after presumed dinner hours, but no later than the first most popular TV show (say, during "working hours" till 6 pm AND between 7 and 8 pm. (but, no different, please -- or domestic tranquility risks damage -- we simply must get the house quieted down))

3.  HOW I THINK I'D REACT.  
If it's convenient, at that moment, I think I'd be willing to hear more -- I wanna help 'em succeed, if possible -- they're just trying to make a lawful living -- by conveying things that might prove valuable -- and that's a good thing.  And, their very tough dilemma is, how to make themselves known to us.  

4.  BECAUSE FAIR'S FAIR == AND A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS!!!
I'm willing to give them a break, if they're willing to give me one.

Just ruminating on the problem.  Ideas and advice are welcome.

David Nelson

Tags: "Telephone Numbers," "Scams," "Discourtesies"