| Comment Number: | OL-103788 |
| Received: | 11/28/2004 4:05:29 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Billings |
| State: | IL |
| Subject: | Trade Regulation Rule on Telemarketing Sales |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 310 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Allowing telemarketers to leave prerecorded messages is objectionable on several counts. First, these messages are nearly as inconvenient and disruptive as real time telemarketing calls, as time is still required to replay the message. Second, like regular telemarketing calls, these unsolicited calls are a violation of privacy. Third and most importantly, a subset of these messages are being left on cell phones. This means that, ultimately, the consumer must PAY TO LISTEN TO THESE MESSAGES! Personally, I currently receive an average of 2 such prerecorded messages per week from telemarketers on my cell phone. Listening to these messages takes time out of my already hectic schedule, and I must pay with minutes on my phone plan to listen to these messages on my voice mail. Companies might do well to consider that anger aroused by a consumer's requirement to essentially PAY FOR the messages on a personal cell phone will STRONGLY counteract the company's ability to sell its product.