| Comment Number: | OL-113790 |
| Received: | 1/10/2005 2:30:12 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | A. Gray |
| State: | TX |
| Subject: | Trade Regulation Rule on Telemarketing Sales |
| Title: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 310 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am on the Federal & Texas DNC list, along with an unlisted number. I have been bombarded with constant calls (mechanical, pre-recorded) ever since going on the DNC list. Most times, there is not a means to opt out. This whole process to weaken the rules further, which makes a mockery of a process that frankly does not work to begin with, disturbs me greatly. I find it frustrating that an unlisted number is in reality no protection at all against telemarketers in this era of sequential computer generated dial-out robots with automated messages and no means of opting out. I find it frustrating that despite being on BOTH the Texas and Federal DNC lists, telemarketers are able to get around this by "pretending" to not have the latest database and thus bombard us with computer generated automated messages, and most times, no means to opt out. This is especially a concern for any citizen who may be on a metered usage plan, be it a land line from the local RBOC or those of us who have opted to use our cell phones (with their finite minutes of usage and a cost incurred for overage) as their principle contact number. It is patently absurd that you put the burden to fight this unwarranted attack on our privacy and our very real budgets (in the case of cell phone usage) on us, the consumer. It should be the telemarketing industry that bears the burden of this program and insures compliance with the intent of the DNC process. It is not an issue of their (telemarketers) ability to conduct business with the inconvenience of DNC compliance nor the loss of jobs within that industry segment if DNC were truly enforced. I did not sign up to be a victim of this method of targeted marketing and as such do not have an obligation, implied or otherwise, to participate in telemarketing. It is my right to not be a victim of these intrusions into my time, my privacy and my budget. Enough is enough! Stop the charade and implement and enforce the DNC process as it was intended! I do not have the time, money or resources to lobby the FTC as they obviously do, to thwart, circumvent, obstruct and evade the intent of the DNC process. Try being on the side of the consumer, for once. Quit looking for wiggle room to support an industry you are sworn to regulate, to the advantage of the consumer. A. Gray