[Re: Loose Cannon: Outbound Telemarketing Alchemy: Turning Gold to Silver, Direct Newsline, July 14, 2003]:
Your article is a little misleading. The prior relationship, etc. is the loophole for calling people ON THE LIST. Those who are not on the list do not have the same restrictions. You make it sound as if telemarketing will cease…
You wrote, “Come Oct. 1, the definition of a prospect for outbound telemarketing is going to be curtailed only to existing, active customers and inquirers. Summer may not be the best time to make these calls, but the luxury of waiting for the perfect opportunity is rapidly diminishing.”
This is not true. For those 23 million on the FTC National Do Not Call Registry, the statement above does apply; however, for the 80 million who are not on this list – this existing relationship requirement does not apply. Read your source material a little more carefully.
Doug Hibbeler
Catalyst, Inc.
Omaha, NE.
(Richard H. Levey responds: Doug Hibbeler is absolutely right. A line that said the restrictions apply only to people on the do-not-call list was inadvertently cut.)
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[Re: More People Using Net, Online Sales Flat: Conference Board, Direct Newsline, July 2, 2003]
The trend noted in this article is very likely due to the ongoing unemployment in the U.S., accompanied by how this impacts consumers’ credit cards. When times are tough, credit cards get maxed out and payments get past due. Online shopping pretty much requires the use of a credit card.
I have not seen attention to this problem in articles about Internet-based DM or analysis of online purchasing behavior.
Sally Shabaka
Owner and chief automation developer
Active Lightning
Boston, MA
Network
