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From: cramer@kontron.UUCP (Clayton Cramer)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: computerized sales phone calls
Message-ID: <523@kontron.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 12:56:27 EST
Article-I.D.: kontron.523
Posted: Thu Feb 20 12:56:27 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 06:17:18 EST
References: <1071@decwrl.DEC.COM> <5106@stolaf.UUCP> <235@micropro.UUCP>
Organization: Kontron Electronics, Irvine, CA
Lines: 47

[ Discussions about automated phone call machines for sales presentations.]

> 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

When someone's life is bleeding away, 30 seconds is a long time.  With
a modern (electronic) exchange, you can't break the connection on most
anyone in just a few seconds.  What makes these nuisance devices so
difficult to disconnect?

If my inability to call an ambulance or police because of one of these 
machines caused someone to suffer serious injury or death, I would feel
perfectly justified tracking down the company originating the call and
KILLING whoever was responsible for it.

I've had my phone tied for three minutes before -- it's true that I
didn't leave it hung up for 30 seconds (I didn't think ANYTHING could
deal with disconnect that long without hanging up), and next time I
will let it wait longer.  On second thought, maybe I will listen to 
the pitch and have someone call me back so I can get the company name.