Telemarketers Attempt to Get Around "No Call Lists" - Watch What You Sign

Snopes ^ | 27 July 2003 | Barbara "something to sting about" Mikkelson

[SAMWolf]

Just an FYI - Heads up.

[Soaring Feather]

Good info SAM, thanks for the ping.

[Pippin]

Thanks for the headsup, Sam!

These telemarketers are getting sneakier!

[Larry Lucido]

Not much different than those checks you get in the mail for $3.50, with small print on the back saying that you agree to membership in some kind of shopping club for $16.00 a month. Always a good idea to read the small print, especially when someone is trying to "give" you something.

On the other hand, it's a way to get a free 12 pack of Coke for the price of a few unwanted calls.

[OXENinFLA]

Mice type will get ya.

[norraad]

Oh, gawt, please don't whore yourself out to these scumbags for some sugarwater.

[AFreeBird]

Was it a "Business Reply" postage paid type card?

If so, tape it to a brick (address side showing) and mail it back to them. The USPS will charge them for the weight of the card. They don't care about anything it is taped to. Oh, and you might want to use a yellow highlighter on the offending small print, just so they get the "Message".

}:-)

[SAMWolf]

LOL! I like the way you think. I always return the AARP application in the envelope they send - full of washers.

[kevkrom]

Was it a "Business Reply" postage paid type card? If so, tape it to a brick (address side showing) and mail it back to them. The USPS will charge them for the weight of the card. They don't care about anything it is taped to.

The USPS will treat anything that obvious as trash, and not levy a charge. You're better off just returning (blank -- make sure you get rid of anything that IDs you) cards.

[Fresh Wind]

I would be very wary of any "mail in rebate" offers too!!

[SAMWolf]

I would be very wary of any "mail in rebate" offers too!!

Good idea. Never thought about checking those.

[strela]

I appreciate you posting this - its good info. Thanks.

Wondering now if there is an "escape clause" written in the "do-not-call" laws allowing for this?

[AFreeBird]

The USPS will treat anything that obvious as trash, and not levy a charge.

Once upon a time, I worked (IT) for a direct marketing company. I've seen brick/cards delivered by the USPS before. Now that was some 15 years ago, but they did deliver it.

Technically it is a properly address and postage paid "package". They may have modified their rules, I don't know.

[anniegetyourgun]

I appreciate the warning.

[smiley]

Thank you for looking out for us, Sam....would you like to run for Govenor of California?

[mtbopfuyn]

We've never been bothered with many telemarketers but signed up for the no-call list and have been getting more calls than ever. Got two calls aready this morning.

[Darksheare]

Thanks for the heads up.
Mom, might want to send this on to Dad and get his eyes to read this over just so he knows.
Unless he knows already.

[astounded]

Bottom line - there's no free lunch.

[usapatriot28]

The national "Do Not Call" list does not shield consumers from every type of unwanted phone call. Political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors are still free to make unsolicited calls without penalty, as are companies with which consumers have existing business relationships.

This is my biggest complaint about the Do Not Call list. Political calls, charities and surveys are the kinds of calls I find the most annoying. Those are the ones I want to stop. Also, I expect that companies will begin to make calls under the guise of "surveys", then part way through will slip in an offer for their product. Essentially, the list is like campign finance reform, it sounds like a good idea on the surface but ultimatly won't accomplish anything, other than providing a minor stumbling block, that is easy to get around.