This is topic Ma'am, this is the phone company...(OT-just ranting) in forum Old Archives at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
 
Uggghhhhh! Another phone call from MCI and I'm gonna SCREAM!

For the past month, I've received a minimum of 3 phone calls a week from these people and I feel I'm being downright hurrassed! Are they gonna keep calling until I yell mercy?

How I wish telemarketing would go away! It truely must be a money maker for someone or it wouldn't have continued this long. (telemarketing in general) Is it ever going to stop?

Remember the days when you answered the phone and it was someone you knew or a customer wanting requesting "your" service?

I can see it now, I find some way to have my name removed from their list of hurrassees and they send some thug to show up at my door a couple times a week until I give in!

Listen up MCI, I will NEVER, I say NEVER switch! Go Away!

Ahhh, that feels better.

Cher.

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Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on MIRC
Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc.
Cape Coral, Florida
VSignsNgraphics@aol.com


 

Posted by Jackie B (Member # 186) on :
 
Cheryl - there's a new law in effect (for whatever good it does!). You must ask them to take you off their phone AND mailing list. Tell them you do not wish to hear from them again. Then ask how long it will be before your name is deleted. Write down the date & time of the phone call, and how long they say it will take to remove your name from their list. If they call you back, you can actually sue them for $500.
Although the paltry $500 isn't going to pay for the lawyer you'll need to go to court, usually if you simply tell them to remove your name, you won't get any more calls. Telemarketers will often hang up on you once you even start mentioning taking your name off the list. When they call again, ask for a supervisor.
There's also a company in NY that actually has all the lists! I can't remember the name, but I'm sure if you do a search engine you can find it. The list is sold to telemarketers. It's kind of a clearing house. You can ask the telemarketer where you they got your name and just maybe one of them will tell you the name of this NY firm. You have to send a written, signed request to remove you from all lists. And each person in the household must be listed and signature present.
Hope this helps a bit. I just hate telemarketers!
Bomba-Dear

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Bomba-Dear
Jackie Vaughn #5115
Volcano, California
www.chocoholic.com
10% Discount for Letterheads
Use Reference Code letr01
email jackiebv@cdepot.net


 

Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
 
The list is called

THE DO NOT CALL LIST

(you must make sure to call the list by it's correct name)
Once you request to be put on this list, they must immediately stop calling you and cannot call you for at least 1 year. If they do, you can sue. I had seen this on one of those news-type shows (60 minutes, dateline?) and they had a woman on there who was getting checks from various companies because she requested to be put on the do not call list and they continued to call her. She merely sent a letter threatening to sue and they sent her $. Huh, if it were only that easy.

Anyway, I've been harassed by MCI as well. Finally had 1 guy hang up on me. He got pushy, I got cranky back. He tried telling me how much he could save me. I asked how could he save me money the months I didn't have any long distance calls. That's when he hung up. Then I get a call a week later from a higher up and I told her he hung up on me, I wanted put on the Do Not Call List and if anyone from MCI bothered me again, my lawyer would be involved. It's been a week and no strange calls.

Good luck

------------------
Chris King
Paper Works & Graphix
Indiana, PA
 

Posted by Jim Upchurch (Member # 209) on :
 
I consider telemarketers the lowest form of life that has ever slithered across the fruited plain. If you try to be polite to them they hang up on you ! And I've had quite a few call me back repeatedly if I hang up on them. I am a one man shop so pulling me off a job cuts into the production time. Just last week a gal called me at least ten times within a half hour, then she actually called back again later in the day. I had to explain to her that she needed help.

The no-call list MIGHT work for that one company but telemarketers are seldom employed directly by the companies they are selling for, they often work for telemarketing companies. So being on MCI's no call list has no effect on them.

My latest tactic is to immediately explain
that we don't do business with telemarketers.

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Artworks
Olympia WA



 

Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
 
I got the ultimate last week. I have two phone lines in the house. One rang the other day, it was the Memphis Fire fighter blah- blah-blah, before he could get it all out the other line rang, of course it was the Memphis Fire Fighter blah-blah-blah. To say I was curt to them would be putting it mildly. Sometimes being polite isn't called for
Ever notice how these things tend to go in waves. Phone services, aluminum siding, home improvements, donations, resorts sales ( Branson is real bad about that...Teague, don't bother, I'm already on the don't call list )

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George Perkins
Millington,TN.
goatwell@ionictech.com

"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"

http://goatwell.tripod.com


 

Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
I must already be on the "don't call list"

I don't have the phone company problems, I use a paid in advance phone card for all long distance calls cause you never know who is gonna use your phone or where they call. With the phone card its so easy, 5.3 cents a minute no surcharges, no taxes and call whatever phone you are at. And never a solicitor calls....

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HotLines Joey Madden,47 years in the Classic Art of Pinstriping
Grants Pass, Oregon
Learn something......
http://members.tripod.com/Inflite
 

Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
 
Phone solicitors ARE a PIA...but why not have some fun at their expense?
Check out
[url] http://www.antitelemarketer.com/index2k1.htm [/url]

and click on "teletormenting" at the lower left of the page!


------------------
Si Allen #562
La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
ICQ # 330407
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"

Brushasaurus on Chat

Gladly supporting this BB !


 

Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
 
i love my caller id deluxe.
if it says unknown. out of area or some one i dont want to talk to i dont answer.

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Jimmy Chatham
Chatham Signs
164 Poplar Rd.
Commerce, Ga 30529
706-335-2348
Fax 706-335-3378
icq#11718273
 

Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
 
As the great Jerry Seinfeld says...

"Hello"
"Hi, this is so & so, I'd like to sell you..."
"S'cuse me, may I have your home phone number? I'll call you later."
silence... "We don't give that out."
"Why not?"
"We don't accept calls from home."
"Oh, well then you know how I feel don't you? Bye."

click

I personally use the 'remove me off the list line, interupting them in the first second their 20 minute rehearsed speech. If they go on and on, I hang up. If you respond with ANY info, it makes them talk more. They are trained for any response to keep the conversation going.

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Graphic Impact
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
gisigns@sprint.ca

[This message has been edited by Donna in BC (edited June 19, 2001).]
 

Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
 
Just ask them to be removed from their list and they shouldnt call you..

When the long distance companies call me, I just ask them "can you provide me with unrestricted calls and 1,000 minutes at 4.1 cents per minute, with no connection fees, surcharges or taxes like my rechargeable AT&T Calling Card?"

Usually the response is a click or simply "No, thanks for your time"

Maybe I should start sending telemarketers invoices for wasting my time.. say $30 per call..

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Mike Pipes
Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
Lake Havasu City, AZ
http://www.stickerpimp.com


 

Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
 
Why not interupt the conversation and start selling them a sign, explain that signs work much better with less cost and expence.
You won't get far with this before they hang up.

Roger

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Roger Bailey
Rapid Tac Incorporated
Waikoloa, Hawaii



 

Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
 
I used to be polite.....listen to half a sentence of their "spiel", then say "NO THANK YOU!"
Now I just hang up on the bastards!

------------------
Bob Burns
Bob Burns Signs


1619 Oregon Ave.
Prescott, Az 86305
1-520-778-5879



 

Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
 
Cher,
It's AT&T harrassing me. I got one call from a guy who got testy with me when I told him that in the past I had tried to get reduced LD rates from them before but was unable to. He said their industry was the most regulated of any industry. Fortunately I got another call on my business line and left him hanging. He hung up! Then this week a woman called back..she took NO for an answer. Now if I can just remember to tell them to put me on the DO NOT CALL LIST!
Judy

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Judy Pate
Signs By Judy
110 LuMac Road
Albany,Ga 31701
229-435-6824
Letterville is my HOME!
Life is like a canvas...you do the painting.


 

Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
 
Low and behold, within minutes of posting here, I received yet another call from MCI. It sounded like the same guy. I told him that I had already received one call today and to please remove me from the hurrassing list. He got testy with me, I asked him if he minded if I record this conversation, no problem he said. At that point, I put him on intercom and turned the sound all the way up, which produced an aweful squeeling sound. He assured me that I had not been called today, (since his computer said so) he said when they don't get the 'right' answer, my number goes into the "parking lot". At that, I said, please remove me from the parking lot and I'm out of here. He said that he would start the process to remove me from the 'list' and that it might take up to 10 days to process.

Yes George, it does come in waves, recently, I have everybody and his brother (here localy) trying to repaint my home or check the effeciency of my air conditioner.

Thanks for the info on the DO NOT CALL LIST, from now on, that's gonna be my reply to pesty unwanted phone calls.

and,
Have A Nice Day! hehehe
Cher.

------------------
Cheryl Lucas a/k/a "Shag" on MIRC
Vital Signs & Graphics, Etc.
Cape Coral, Florida
VSignsNgraphics@aol.com


 

Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
 
Sometimes (very rarely) I feel sorry for telemarketers. They have to know everyone hates telemarketers. Are they really that desperate that they'll take a telemarketing job? But then as I'm feeling sorry for them, I get a phone call from a pushy telemarketer and my pity goes away.

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Chris King
Paper Works & Graphix
Indiana, PA
 

Posted by Kevin L. Kleinhans (Member # 1263) on :
 
I have a neat device that plugs into my phone. When I get a call I dont like I just push the button on the device and hang up. They get a very loud message that repeats itself that says. We donot accept this type of call. Please take us off your list, this is your notification. It repeats and then hangs up. I LOVE it.

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Kevin L. Kleinhans
Alma Signs
(Signs Be Me)
Alma, Michigan
517 463-6851

 

Posted by Mike Clayton (Member # 723) on :
 
I hate all those calls too.

I believe the one episode of Seinfeld addressed it best:

Jerry: "Yes, I'm very interested in your offer, but I can't talk right now, give your home number and I'll call you back?"

Caller: "What? I don't want you calling me at home!"

Jerry: " Now you know how I feel! Click!"

MC

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Mike Clayton
MC Graphics
Barnegat, NJ
http://www.visualnoise.com/mcg/
mike@visualnoise.com

"I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused"
 

Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :
 
Cheryl,

Act surprised they are callin you back again and say, "I can't believe you want me back as a customer, do you know how much money I owe you in Long Distance charges? ...this is so kewl! Wow, honey, come here, guess what..." Don't let em get a word in edgewise, they should take you off the list.

------------------
DrQuill - Mural Woman
PEACE SIGNS
logodesign2@icqmail.com

"With every breath, we have a choice." --Linda Silver Eagle
Georgia, USA
 

Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
 
This is about the only useful thing I got with my old AOL account.
Mail Preference Service
For many people, advertising mail is informative and provides value, convenience and fun.
However, direct marketing companies recognize that some people do not like to receive
advertising mail.
If you want to reduce the amount of national advertising mail you receive at home, send
your name and address to the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service (MPS):

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

After a few months, the MPS will reduce the amount of advertising mail you receive.
You will continue to receive mail from companies with which you do business.
Names remain part of the MPS for five years. After five years, you will need to register
with the MPS again.

If you continue to receive unwanted mail after a few months, the Direct Marketing
Association suggests that you write directly to the mailer to request that your name be
removed from the mailer's list.


Telephone Preference Service
If you want to reduce the amount of national advertising calls you receive at home,
send your name, address, area code and telephone number to the Direct Marketing
Association's Telephone Preference Service (TPS):

Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

After a few months, the TPS will reduce the amount of advertising calls you receive
from national marketers such as credit card and magazine subscription companies.
Some local organizations and charities may not participate.

Names remain part of the TPS for five years. After five years, you will need to register
with the TPS again.

If you continue to receive unwanted phone calls after a few months, the Direct Marketing
Association suggests that you request your name be removed from a company's list when they
call.

------------------
a.k.a. Brian Born
Harrisburg, Pa
717.652.9073
members.home.net/sign-it/
This isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way.
 

Posted by Kelli (Member # 248) on :
 
Linda, cute idea, but it wouldn't work. The telemarketers get commission and/or evaluations based on the number of customers they reel in. They DON'T CARE if you owe their company enough to support a third world country, they only care about their numbers and they'd sign up anybody!

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Kelli Cajigas aka Janda
Dolphin deSigns & Banners
“A satisfied customer will tell two friends, a dissatisfied customer will tell ten.”



 

Posted by Debbie Delzell on :
 
I wrote both of these addresses. The junk mail has slowed down but I still get one calling from a credit card. And the phone company about caller id. I gave up and got the caller id which has helped alot. And since it is free for 3 months I am happy. I will ask to be put on the do not call list when the credit card calls again. Thanks!

Telephone Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008

------------------
Debbie Delzell
 

Posted by Tom Giampia (Member # 2007) on :
 
I found a great way to have some fun with the cold call solicitors (When I have the time). A local radio show here has some links to audio files set up as a soundboard. You click the button on your computer screen, and a clip from a movie or TV show plays on your speakers. It's fun to see how long I can get some of these people to talk to Aronold, Homer or Joe Pesce! The site that these soundboards are on is a little raunchy, as are some of sound clips, so use your discretion.
http://www.foundrymusic.com/media/soundboards.cfm?CurrentPage=10

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Tom & Sharon Giampia
Creative Image Design
Port Chester, NY
 

Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
 
TRY to cancel MCI!!! They just don't get it. (They refuse to cancel me.) So I wrote to them saying I will not be paying anymore of their bills as I have CANCELLED a billion times. They are a lousy company to deal with. Now I am getting tons of email telling me I can't cancel. (how'd they get my email address?? I didn't give it to them) So I just reply 10 times a day with a big ACCOUNT CLOSED. I can be a pain in the ass too, and will continue to be until they 'get it' that I no longer want their service.

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surf or MoJo
 on mirc
Cheryl J Nordby
Signs by Cheryl
Seattle WA.....!
signsbycheryl@hotmail.com
The person who laughs at himself will never cease to be amused!
http://www.thisismycool.com/signs/

From sharp minds come sharp products

[This message has been edited by cheryl nordby (edited July 06, 2001).]
 

Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
 
Sheesh! I didn't read all the posts but it seems like everyone in the world has the same problem. Mine is with Citibank. Although I already have their card, They seem to want me to get another. The other day they called, my wife picked up & they hung up when she said I wasnt home... Sonovabeaches....

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"He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes. He who doesnt ask, remains a fool forever."
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Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico
787-889-6608
 



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