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From: yazz@prodnet.la.locus.com (Bob Yasi)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Wrong Number Suggestions Needed
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Date: 3 Nov 90 23:14:59 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 788, Message 4 of 10


On the wrong-number-from-Sears front, I have two comments.

First, if the old number is on a "good" switch then Sears could have
the old number forward into their new hunt group.  I think they were
dumb not to do this in the first place, quite apart from the annoyance
they have caused our telecom digest poster, because of the
inconvenience they cause their customers.  I think an important
component of Sears's public image is their "Old Reliable Standby,
my-grandmother's 1920 Kenmore sewing machine still works, Craftsman
tools are guaranteed forever" sort of thing.  Making it inconvenient
to call the store doesn't jibe.  When grandma, who is perhaps still
leasing her black dial desk telephone from AT&T, calls for a new bobin
on her 1920 sewing machine using the same phone number she has used
for years, maybe decades, she doesn't expect Sears to make it more
complicated than it used to be.  Even if the old number is on a "bad"
switch, Sears can afford the additional cost to make it easy for
grandma.

Second, the different wrong-number problem with repeated or missing
digits is very often caused by cheap cheap cheap phones.  Half-decent
pushbutton phones pay attention to "debouncing", which prevents a
button which is pushed once from dialing a digit twice.  This is a
reason to avoid telephone numbers with repeated digits in them.
(Missing digits generally prevent a call from going through.)

When I have time I'll post an amusing story involving a different
Department store whose number horned in on mine.  I wound up changing
my number, but not without a stink and a free dinner for two.  (:-)


 -- Bob Yazz --  yazz@Locus.com