| Comment Number: | 525547-00162 |
| Received: | 11/21/2006 6:12:33 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Chris Knoll |
| State: | WA |
| Subject: | Telemarketing Sales Rule |
| Title: | Request for Public Comment |
| CFR Citation: | 16 CFR Part 310 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I've been reading some of the public comments and frankly am a bit frustrated at how some folks are lumping beneficial automated calls from companies with whom I have an established business relationship vs. cold-calling telemarketing calls. Perhaps they're just so steamed at those annoying calls that they are missing an important aspect of all of this which must be considered. There are many instances when a company with whom I do business provides me a service by using an automated message process to deliver their message to me. I've saved money on my credit card by obtaining a lower interest rate that I had no idea I qualified for, my cell phone company has let me know of a better rate plan that saves me money based on my historical usage, and I've also been able to sign up for a lower prescription drug copay solution by my prescription provider. All of these offers would have been 'lost' in the giant stack of junk mail I receive daily and would have resulted in a missed opportunity. That junk mail is like the cold calling telemarketers - both are essentially spam, like unsolicited email. But when I have an established relationship with a company, these automated calls have truly saved me a LOT of money over time, and if I don't want the offer, I just hang up. It is easier than 'fighting' with an agent who is ready with a sales rebuttal script sitting in front of them. It's more likely that I'll pay attention to the because it's not all lumped in with all that junk mail and email spam and comes from a company that I already know and trust. I strongly encourage you to consider the difference between mass cold-call automated telemarketing, and automated messages from companies with whom I already do business. There is a HUGE and distinct difference that I firmly believe MUST be taken into consideration here. It not only benefits me as a consumer but also is a cost effective way for the company with whom I'm already a customer to let me know of things that may genuinely interest me. I've never bought a single thing from any cold-call telemarketer. But on the flip-side, I've taken advantage of many an offer from a company that I already do business with, and trust - it benefits me as a consumer, as well as the company as well.