Posted on 07/29/2003 2:06:00 AM PDT by kattracks
WASHINGTON - 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.The telemarketing industry says the government's free registry for blocking telephone sales pitches will devastate business and cost 2 million jobs.
The list has grown to more than 28 million numbers since it was opened June 27, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which operates the service and is predicted to grow to 60 million numbers.
The American Teleservices Association, an industry group that sued the FTC in January to stop the list, asked a federal appeals court to reject new regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC added its authority to the list to close regulatory loopholes and block calls from industries, including airlines, banks and phone companies.
People who sign up this summer should see a decrease in telemarketing calls after enforcement begins Oct. 1.
The service will block about 80% of the calls, the FTC said. Telemarketers estimate the do-not-call list could cut business in half, costing them up to $50 billion in sales each year.
The ATA also asked the FCC to stay enforcement of its rules until the court can review them. Similar lawsuits by other telemarketers are pending.
There are about 166 million residential phone numbers in the U.S., the FTC said, and the wireless industry estimates there are more than 147 million cell phone numbers.
More than a dozen states with do-not-call lists plan to add their lists to the national registry this summer, the FTC said.
Consumers on those lists need not register again. In September, telemarketers will have to check the list every three months to see who doesn't want to be called. Those who call listed people could be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. Consumers would file complaints to an automated phone or online system.
Exempted from the list are charities, pollsters and calls on behalf of politicians. People can register for the service by calling toll-free at 1-888-382-1222 or by visiting the Web site:
www.donotcall.gov.
Originally published on July 29, 2003
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People like myself, who EARNED about $18 an hour , part time for Christmas a couple years in a row, just to name one. Lots of different businesses use telemarketers. I worked as a salesman for a couple different outfits, whosde leads were all supplied by telemarketing. One was a Home improvement company. They had a crew of 16 regular guys that did aluminum siding, all of the work they had was supplied by telemarketing, and also all of the work that we sub-contracted to roofers, Carpet Layers, Kitchen and Bath Installers, Air conditioning and heating men, and everyone else that we subbed all of our "complete home remodeling" services to. No big deal throwing them out of work is it?
I would think that there are more than just 2 million telemarketing jobs being affected here.
It's hard to tell, but I would guess less. It's not like all the money that is currently spent on Telemarketing is just going to disappear. Of course, some people have not signed the list. If the only people who signedthe list are people who wouldn't buy from a telemarketer anyway, then there is no loss. But anyway, all the money spent on telemarketing that will no longer spent on telemarketing is still going to be spent - just on other forms of marketing. So while telemarketrs lose their jobs, jobs will be gained in direct mail houses and other areas.
Please. Don't flatter yourself. You make it sound as if YOU, the Master Telemarketer kept these guys in work. Marketing can be done any number of ways. These customers are going to have the work done by somebody, so the market's demand reamins constant, not the mode of marketing. Therefore, the supply of labor meets the demand.
I'm a specialty contractor, sometimes a sub, and I do fine without making cold calls. Much of it is personal referral. Any contractor that doesn't get lots of personal referrals is jacking people around.
The fact remains that telemarketing is invasive and annoying, and it forces people to become more rude in response than we feel comfortable being.
The telemarketing industry says the government's free registry for blocking telephone sales pitches will devastate business and cost 2 million jobs.
Anybody remember the National Lampoon (RIP) magazine issue where they had a picture of a cute little puppy with a gun to its head...the cover caption was "Buy this issue or we kill this dog!" This arguement by a telemarketer spokeslawyer (whooo! Do they get any lower than that?) reminds me of this threat.
I'm neither a contractor nor a telemarketer. I am a homeowner however and from what I see around here, contractors/handymen types don't need telemarketers. We've been trying to find people to get some small jobs done and EVERYONE is booked for months. (fortunately our fencing guy had a cancellation so we can get that done).
Anyone who wants to get home improvements/repairs done will find someone to do them. They don't need to be telemarketed. When I want to replace my windows I know how to find someone to do it. I don't need some jerk disturbing my dinner or veg time.
YOU are EXACTLY RIGHT! I had not thought of it that way. Excellent comment and suggestion. I will use it. I registered for the do not call list the first day that I could. I have an unlisted phone number because I was so sick of telemarketers calling! I am not a young spring chicken, and I would be in the floor in the middle of cleaning out a cabinet or a closet and the phone would ring. I would force myself up, hobble to the phone in the other end of the house, and they would be selling vinyl siding, etc. I have a BRICK house.
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