The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

Extremely. More so if they are trying to sell me insurance I do not want/need.

Well I got the subcontinent sounding fellow from Microsoft 4 days ago.As soon as I heard the name Microsoft I said this call is being traced and will be forwarded to the authorities.amazing how quickly my computer problem was resolved.but next 3 days a 10 second call at 1700 before a hang up.The whistle is by the phone for tomorrow.
So nif any one knows my number do not ring at 1700.

Look, I don't mind the telemarketing concept (nor door-to-door for that matter). But if I said "no" once, that's it. Put it in a register and be done with. (Same thing with door-to-door - if the sign says "No marketing" then take the hint).

Better yet, people register on the Do Not Call. Yes I know this is a rather ineffective instrument, but is it "available" for companies if they want it? (That is, if they want to know which numbers not to call, can they obtain it?)

This company has been calling back 3 or 4 times since I initially said "no". They were not very forthright when I had my first interaction with them so I'd sooner trust my details with Fidel Castro before them.

Hadn't thought about a whistle... how easy......wish I'd thought of that when those idiots who said I had a problem with my connection / computer gave us a bell.

 

[penegal]

Telemarketers are annoying. Ever heard of "no means no"? (I shouldn't be so surprised - when I worked in retail we actually were trained to understand that "'no' doesn't mean 'no!'").

Times like these I wish I'd kept that recording of a very high pitched tone to play loudly into the phone.

Just say "No Thankyou, Goodbye" in a calm clear tone and release the call (hang up) before they can start to talk again.

That usually gets the message across, and is best for both parties:
a) You get rid of them
b) They can go onto the next victim... er customer. (knowing that staying on your call isn't helping their stats at all)

 

[hazel]

Well I got the subcontinent sounding fellow from Microsoft 4 days ago.As soon as I heard the name Microsoft I said this call is being traced and will be forwarded to the authorities.amazing how quickly my computer problem was resolved.but next 3 days a 10 second call at 1700 before a hang up.The whistle is by the phone for tomorrow.
So nif any one knows my number do not ring at 1700.

This might seem excessive but was very satisfying...A few years ago in the days before "do not call" I was called many,many times by an Australian company trying to sell me a mobile phone plan. I managed to get some info about the company from the people calling I then embarked on an ASIC search to try and find who owned the company that kept calling. A couple of weeks & a several dollars of paying for ASIC searches later I managed to get the number of the person in WA who managed/owned the company. I called them every night for 2 weeks.

 

[penegal]

Also, you can put yourself on the ACMA Do Not Call Register. It has been reasonably effective for me.

https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

---

My reading of the law as it stands, is that under the new privacy law regime any telemarketer who calls you is required to disclose to you (in a reasonable time-frame) where they got your number.

There are escalation paths available to you if they do not comply (which cause them a lot more pain than they cause you).


This post does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to seek a professional opinion.

 

[hazel]

Also, you can put yourself on the ACMA Do Not Call Register. It has been reasonably effective for me.

https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

If I get called by a telemarketer now my first response is "do you know what you are doing is illegal under Australian law"

 

[anat0l]

If I get called by a telemarketer now my first response is "do you know what you are doing is illegal under Australian law"

And I'm sure they give a damn before they continue into their spiel. Or, a classic is to continue, "Which law is that?" followed by "Can you explain the law to me and why what I am doing is illegal?" And so on.

If the potential pain includes imprisonment I might change my opinion about the viability of the DNC register.

 

[basso]

If the potential pain includes imprisonment I might change my opinion about the viability of the DNC register.

In my experience, the DNCR works damn well. But just who are you proposing to imprison?

 

[hazel]

And I'm sure they give a damn before they continue into their spiel. Or, a classic is to continue, "Which law is that?" followed by "Can you explain the law to me and why what I am doing is illegal?" And so on.

If the potential pain includes imprisonment I might change my opinion about the viability of the DNC register.

Most of the people who call have no idea what they are doing is in breach of Australian law. It is useful to explain they are in breach of Australian law & then ask for a number you can call them back on - if they won't say I don't deal with a company I can't call back. The amount of calls I get has reduced dramatically since DNC.

 

[anat0l]

In my experience, the DNCR works damn well. But just who are you proposing to imprison?

Well... the telemarketing companies broadly who continue to harass customers. And the operators if it can be proven that they shouldered significant responsibility in being complicit to the harassment.

 

[Flashback]

Also, you can put yourself on the ACMA Do Not Call Register. It has been reasonably effective for me.

https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

---

My reading of the law as it stands, is that under the new privacy law regime any telemarketer who calls you is required to disclose to you (in a reasonable time-frame) where they got your number.

There are escalation paths available to you if they do not comply (which cause them a lot more pain than they cause you).


This post does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to seek a professional opinion.

IANAL? :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

IANAL? :mrgreen:

Geez.... whatever floats your boat, mate. Missus may not approve, though :mrgreen:


Yes I am aware of what that abbreviation stands for...

 

[SeatBackForward]

Also, you can put yourself on the ACMA Do Not Call Register. It has been reasonably effective for me.

https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

---

My reading of the law as it stands, is that under the new privacy law regime any telemarketer who calls you is required to disclose to you (in a reasonable time-frame) where they got your number.

There are escalation paths available to you if they do not comply (which cause them a lot more pain than they cause you).


This post does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to seek a professional opinion.

The do not call register doors not apply to registered charities and international dialers.

 

[penegal]

IANAL? :mrgreen:

You would be familiar with "CYA" from your time in the industry..

 

[anat0l]

The do not call register doors not apply to registered charities and international dialers.

I assume it also doesn't cover Australian political parties?

Got enough of those during the last federal campaign. And they were all dumb tape recordings.

 

[Flashback]

You would be familiar with "CYA" from your time in the industry..

Sheesh, how old do you think I am?

 

[Mal]

Sheesh, how old do you think I am?

How old you are? Or how old you act at times???

 

[JohnK]

Yes I am aware of what that abbreviation stands for...

And as usual I have never seen it used.

Won't be using it this century either....

 

[Hvr]

And as usual I have never seen it used.

Won't be using it this century either....

I am not a lawyer but don't know why you wouldn't use it.

 

[Flashback]

And as usual I have never seen it used.

Won't be using it this century either....

Only place I've ever seen it used is FT! :shock:

 

[JohnK]

I am not a lawyer but don't know why you wouldn't use it.

I looked it up on Google.