| Comment Number: | OL-113271 |
| Received: | 1/10/2005 10:21:42 AM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Leslie Stock |
| State: | CA |
| 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 an advertising industry executive. Despite this, I strongly oppose the use of automated phone or email solicitations, even if I have purchased from a company recently, unless the communication is directly tied to the details of the purchase (such as an order confirmation). I firmly believe that less-intrusive methods, such as direct mail, print, radio, web ads, billboards, or TV, should be employed. Companies gravitate toward email and phone because it's cheap and higher pressure. It's also *highly* inconvenient for the consumer, and usually places them on the defensive. It makes me very angry when I realize that I've stopped what I'm doing to pick up the phone...and it's a solicitation. Or that I have to weed through 35 spams to get to my actual work email (I've applied over 75 filters to at least get them separated out, but I find myself needing to apply new ones each week. I would not be surprised if THIS costs America as much in lost productivity as any war effort costs us in dollars). IF a company and its product/service offering is *reputable and of value to its consumer base*, that value should shine through in an alternative, less-intrusive medium. It's that simple. When my phone company or newspaper call me, it's typically to offer me services that I already HAVE...their databases are not up to date. It's a waste. Please don't bully consumers. The organizations who feel they "need" telemarketing to survive are unimaginative and unresourceful. Over the years, I have needed to create "magic" on shoestring budgets for some of my clients, and I have succeeded. These companies simply need to apply themselves in a way that allows their customers to retain their dignity and privacy. Unless I have no other alternative, I stop doing business with any and all companies that solicit me by phone. I know my own mind, my own needs, and what I can afford. I can make up my mind based on non-intrusive mediums and then choose to buy a product or service withOUT the company's "push". Please don't allow companies to bully their client base. This practice is particularly injurious to the elderly, lonely, disenfranchised, and mentally challenged populations...generally those who can least afford it Thanks for your consideration.