When I heard that there was finally a national "do not call" list, I was like, it's about friggin time! Let's face it, telemarketers are annoying and quite frankly, the bane of everyone's existence. I remember the days before caller ID, when I'd actually speak to these people. Well, I didn't really speak to them. It was more like, you say hello, and then they start reading off of their script, and they're so into it that there's no real moment for you to cut in and say you're not interested. Sometimes I felt sorry for them because I could imagine that they were sitting in some cubicle, just trying to make their quotas for the day. So I'd let them do their thing, and then when they'd ask what I did for a living, I said I worked in marketing, even if I didn't, just because they can't ask people who work in marketing.
And ever since caller ID came about, I haven't answered any of those calls. But it's amazing to see how many times some of these places call you in a day. Kind of stalkerish, actually. And they call from all over the place. I get a lot of calls from Ontario and Michigan. I don't know what company is calling me from Michigan but they call me about 3 times a week. They must really need to sell me something.
So a few weeks ago, my brother called me to tell me that he was signing up for the "do not call" list, and that he went ahead and added my number on my behalf. Here's the thing - apparently, it doesn't cover every telemarketer. There are exemptions like political parties, charities, and newspapers. (See the full list here.)
Wtf is that about? What's the point? Solicitations are solicitations, I don't care who they represent, even if their intentions are good. If it's a legit charity, sorry, still not going to answer. I, like many other people, do not give out money - or specifically credit card information - over the phone. If you're legit, then put a pamphlet in my mailbox and I'll read it then. Otherwise, just go away.
I'm still getting calls, and apparently I still will for the first 31 days. So I can't tell quite yet. I'll have to wait and see. Hopefully, it'll at least reduce the amount that we all get though.
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