Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!linac!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!bionet!hayes.ims.alaska.edu!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: john@bovine.ati.com (John Higdon) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Dealing with Telemarketers Message-ID: <14785@accuvax.nwu.edu> Date: 18 Nov 90 19:03:51 GMT Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu Reply-To: John Higdon Organization: Green Hills and Cows Lines: 39 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 831, Message 4 of 8 Jeff Carroll writes: > Being wrapped up in the ball game, I didn't bother to > investigate further, but it did sound a little fishy -- not to mention > the uncomfortable feeling that accompanies receiving phone calls from > local cops asking for money. While we are on the subject of telemarketing, perhaps it should be mentioned why some upper executives are hard to reach and hide behind secretaries. In addition to many others, the Police Athletic League in San Jose (now called the Police Activities League) was a most aggressive telemarketer, along with the Peace Officers Association. When I was president of a telecommunications firm (and part owner), there could be ten to twenty telemarketing calls a day. Some were unsophisticated and simply asked for the "owner of the business". Others did some homework and found out names. (Corporate officers are a matter of public record.) We had a very sharp receptionist, but even she would succomb to, "This is Sergeant McFlatfoot with the San Jose Police Department. May I speak to Mr. John Higdon please?" in authoritative tones. Sgt. McFlatfoot would of course attempt to cause guilt if I didn't buy a block of tickets to help the disadvantaged youth in his program. All in all, anyone in business is deluged with junk calls all day long. Investments, office products, insurance, invoice factoring, collection services, and charities of every manner and description are just some of the garbage that attempts to enter via the telephone. This is not to mention the foot traffic--picture sellers, car waxers, nicnac peddlers, even custom tailored suits are offered door to door. Anyone who feels that solicitation is annoying at home should have the experience of owning a business. It makes one a seasoned expert at saying "no". John Higdon | P. O. Box 7648 | +1 408 723 1395 john@bovine.ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | M o o !