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Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!rutgers!mtune!wrcola!kathy
From: kathy@wrcola.UUCP (K.M.Vincent)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,misc.legal
Subject: Sales computer clamp-down
Message-ID: <831@wrcola.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Aug-87 13:35:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: wrcola.831
Posted: Sat Aug 15 13:35:30 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Aug-87 11:34:47 EDT
Organization: AT&T, Winston-Salem, NC
Lines: 44
Keywords: furious
Xref: mnetor comp.misc:1025 misc.legal:2450



This may or may not be the proper place for this posting, but ...

This morning, I answered my phone to find a computer at the
other end.  I'm not a computer-phobe - I like computers - ask
anyone.  But I didn't like the implications of what happened next.

What I heard was a prerecorded sales pitch for insulation.
I hang up on answering machines, and I politely extricate myself
from telephone pitch people.  And I wasn't about to listen to a
recorded sales pitch.  So I hit the switch-hook.  But the pitch
went on.  Thinking the problem was somehow connected with the
fact that I have 3-way calling on my line, I hit the switch-hook
again.  The pitch went on and on.  The next time, I held the 
button down several seconds - long enough to disconnect any
call - except that one.  The pitch went on and on and on -
until the recording at the other end finished with, "If you'd
like to take advantage of this special sale, leave your name
and number at the sound of the tone." - at which point I told
them exactly what I thought of their sales technique.

I immediately called the operator and talked to the supervisor
on duty.  Turns out they've had several complaints.  The calling
computer can, in fact, call and HOLD ON TO MY LINE AS LONG
AS IT WANTS.  There is no way for me to disconnect it - even
tho it is MY line that *I* am paying for and I don't want to
listen to the recording. Which means someone with a really
long sales pitch could, presumably, call and tie up my phone
all day, and there's nothing I could do from my end to stop it.

And right now, according to the supervisor, there's nothing to
stop anyone from doing that.  It's perfectly legal.

Personally, I am furious.

Has anyone else experienced the sales computer "clamp-down"?  
Anyone have any comments?


Kathy Vincent                             AT&T, Winston-Salem, NC
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