| Comment Number: | OL-105669 |
| Received: | 12/2/2004 9:01:04 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Timothy Bowman |
| 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 strongly object to the proposed change to the Do Not Call rules in which telemarketers will be allowed to leave voicemail messages. I believe this will result in a return to previous problems with excess unwanted calls from which we are now free. Upon enacting the Do Not Call Registry, the FTC freed us from telemarketing pitches that were excessive beyond reason. It was not uncommon for me as a homeowner to get call from five mortgage companies in one day. Being freed from this barrage of calls has given us much more peace and quiet. Nonetheless, some do not give up, and still leave vague messages making it difficult to trace the sender. I still receive many hangup calls, indicating an autodialer looking for an answering machine. If the FTC were to allow automessaging, this will increase manyfold, and defeat the purpose of the Do Not Call Registry-that being to let consumers choose to be left alone. The provision for having a business relationship will no doubt be left open to interpretation, and will only result in callers hiding behind loose definitions thereof. We appreciate the peace and quiet of the Do Not Call Registry. Tampering with it to satisfy those from whom we want relief will not solve any problems, and will only put us back to where we were. Telemarketers need to refer only to a common expression here in Southern California: Don't call us, we'll call you.