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From: bgsuvax!jyoull@cis.ohio-state.edu (Jim Youll)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Mercury Marketing Again
Message-ID: <13068@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 5 Oct 90 02:36:51 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 714, Message 5 of 12


>It has been many weeks since the telemarketing firm for the {San Jose
>Mercury News} has invaded my privacy. When I raised a big enough stink,
>the president of the firm removed my entire prefix (723) from the
>calling base.

>Frankly, I'm getting tired of these people and am open to suggestions
>on how to shut them down permanently and legally. Anyone agree and
>have suggestions?

Frankly, I am tired of these idiots calling me at work, too.
Yesterday my secretary got hit with a call that went something like
this:

   (caller) "Hi. This is Mary from Western Supply. How many toner
             cartridges did you want this week?"
   (sec'y)  "Toner cartridges? Western Supply? What is this pertaining to?"
   (caller) (louder) I'm calling about the re-order of toner for your
            copier. How many cartridges did you want?"
   (sec'y)  (after asking me) "We don't normally buy toner from you."
   (caller) "Are you stupid? Just GO OVER TO YOUR COPIER AND TELL ME
             WHAT MODEL IT IS SO WE CAN COMPLETE YOUR ORDER"
   (sec'y)  "We don't HAVE a copier."
   (caller) --click--

(We really DON'T have a copier here)...

This is incredibly annoying, and the bastards don't even give you a
chance to find out who they are. No idents given, even if you ask.  We
absolutely do not accept calls like this for more than the minute it
takes to figure out that it's an idiot and okay to hang up on them.
 
You might tell people to watch out for this ruse. We have had two or
three calls like this in the past couple months (that I know about).