| Comment Number: | OL-112719 |
| Received: | 1/4/2005 12:23:22 PM |
| Organization: | |
| Commenter: | Michael Bentkofsky |
| State: | VA |
| 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 writing as a consumer who is glad that Do-Not-Call regulation has been put in place, and who is very opposed to any weakening of the Do-Not-Call provision. By lowering the barrier to market to consumers who have indicated their preference to avoid telemarketing calls, I believe that will only lead to frustrated consumers. In particular I am very opposed to provision 3 of the proposed rule change that would measure compliance based upon a 30-day period. That would make it easier for unscrupulous "fly-by-night" telemarketing operations to more easily market to individuals without fear of regulatory repurcussion. Additionally, provision 1 does not allow the recipient of a telemarketing call to voice his objection to receiving the call. By allowing pre-recorded messages, call receivers are only left frustrated without a way to ask to receive no further calls. It is questionable as to what activity constitutes an "established business relationship" and if I (as a consumer) don't want to receive future calls from a marketer who perceives me as having a prior business relationship, I cannot do so to a recorded message. In short, please do not weaken the rules regarding regulation of telemarketing.