Comment Number: 525547-00152
Received: 11/20/2006 1:21:12 PM
Organization:
Commenter: Robert Mathews
State: MA
Subject: Telemarketing Sales Rule
Title: Request for Public Comment
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 310
No Attachments

Comments:

Many people suggest that automated phone calls are ok if there is a preexisting business relationship. However, this "preexisting business relationship" is very broadly interpreted by the companies making the phone call. For example, having once ordered the Boston Globe - 2 years ago for 1 month - they call me regularly to ask for a renewal. I consider this an unwanted phone call. The Boston Globe considers that to be a "preexisting business relationship". There is no effective option to stop this. In a similar vein, many people in this thread have suggested that once having bought a ticket from an airline, I might want to get a phone call suggesting an upgrade. Again, this is "ok" because of the "preexisting business relationship". However, I am already deluged with offers; the problem is stopping the offers so that I can use my phone effectively; I certainly don't want to add my airline to the list of companies that call my phone. I would prefer that the phones not be made unless I explicitly gave permission when I bought the ticket, or something like that.