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From: edg@micropro.UUCP (Ed Greenberg)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: computerized sales phone calls
Message-ID: <235@micropro.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Feb-86 15:35:38 EST
Article-I.D.: micropro.235
Posted: Mon Feb 17 15:35:38 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Feb-86 04:53:25 EST
References: <1071@decwrl.DEC.COM> <5106@stolaf.UUCP>
Reply-To: edg@micropro.UUCP (Ed Greenberg)
Organization: MicroPro Int'l Corp., San Rafael, CA
Lines: 32

>> > I thought it might serve as an indication to the rest of you that we 
>> > can indeed make this stuff illegal.

But we DID make this stuff illegal!  At least in Califoo, the PUC
requires that all computerized calls be preceded by a human that asks
permission to unleash the machine.  That's the gist of the proposed law
in whatever state is under discussion here.

Unfortunately, this law is totally unenforcible.  The PUC referred me
to the Phone Company, but they warned me that I had to identify the
callers.  Now we all know that the callers never identify who they are,
rather, they invite YOU to identify YOURSELF!!!  

Thus, they call and call and call.  The Phone Co. has no interest in
putting them out of business, since they're generating revenue
(probably for the calls, at least for the basic lines) and you can't
even report them. 

Since the annoyance factor is so high in trying to identify these
people and reporting them just for spite, the "law" has no teeth at all.

Now:  Getting rid of these machines.  THEY DO NOT HOLD THE LINE UP
BEYOND 15 SECONDS... 30 AT THE MOST.  It is human curiosity 
that keeps you from clearing your line.  Most people hang up and
immediately pick up again, to see if they've lost the call.  All you
must do is hang up and walk away.  Count off 30 seconds on your watch.
Pick up the phone and your dial tone will be there.
					-e
-- 
Ed Greenberg			| {hplabs,glacier}!well!micropro!edg
MicroPro International Corp.	|  {ucbvax,decwrl}!dual!micropro!edg
San Rafael, California		|       {lll-crg,ptsfa}!micropro!edg