[Re: FCC Affirms, Expands FTC Telemarketing Rules, Direct Newsline, June 26, 2003]:
This whole national DNC list “thing” is nothing but feel-good legislation so lawmakers can pander to their constituents. They could care one way or another what happens. It would appear that the telemarketing industry did not press their lobbying efforts nearly enough. (If the industry was as unscrupulous as most people claim, it would have greased enough politicians by now to squash the legislation.)
It is for this reason that I feel there is a chance this could get struck down in court. That way, lawmakers could say to voters “Well, we tried. I voted for it.” There are far too many jobs that swing in the balance.
These jobs are commission driven, and usually taken by unskilled workers, who finally have the opportunity to work their way out of the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum. It’s an opportunity for people to earn more than minimum wage, which is where they would be without this type of work. A lot of call centers are located in areas where the wages are generally lower to keep costs down, magnifying the situation.
Our call center in Las Vegas employs 30 or so such employees. While they are working, we process so much welfare and public assistance paperwork that we have one person who does almost nothing else. If they quit, or are let go, 7 out of 10 file for unemployment. These people are on the razor’s edge with telemarketing on one side, and unemployment on the other. Eventually, some find work, but usually at another call center.
This is what could happen to a majority of the tens of millions of displaced workers should these rules go through, particularly at a time when the country can least afford to lose jobs, and with the administration trying to cut overtime rules.
Throughout this process, I have drawn the conclusion that The DMA is not an advocate of the direct marketing industry as it claims, but an opportunistic, capitalistic, money making machine that cares about the possible erosion of it’s profit center (providing DNC lists for a fee besides the membership fee) more than the welfare of it’s members.
The American Teleservices Association, however, appears to be clearly on the side of its members, but should have invested some money in a public relations campaign, taking its case to the people, and putting a face on the person who earns a living at telesales.
It seems to me that a dinnertime calling restriction could be sufficient. It would even be less expensive if the industry pooled together and sent every household a caller ID device, and paid a negotiated fee to the phone companies for the service as opposed to a loss of revenues forever.
We seem to be heading down a slippery slope of legislating against anything someone finds offensive. We have become a nation of too many laws, and the compliance of these laws makes it that much harder for the small business to compete.
Tony Kudalis
The Wellness Institute
Best Lead Lists
Nashua, NH
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[Re: Loose Cannon: Caller’s Id, Direct Newsline, June 30, 2003]:
Great insight. The thought of an uninterrupted dinner might be more than some of us can handle. I can’t wait until you “interview” one of those spam blockers from the ISPs that are trying to save us from all that spam we are getting. I wonder what their perverted logic will be.
Bart Foreman
Group 3 Marketing
Wayzata, MN
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Enjoyed your article, amusing!
The outbound call marketing industry is a bunch of clueless hucksters.
Think the huckster label is too harsh? Well consider the response I get when I ask why they are calling me without checking the Massachusetts Do Not Call list; THEY HANG UP! No apology, no concern at all just a hang up. So much for relationship marketing!
Why aren’t they thinking and maintaining a relationship posture?
I’d actually be open to getting a call from a solicitor that:
* is truly focused on helping me solve a problem rather than selling a product; “Mr. McGrory, excuse me for interrupting you may I share some $$ saving info with you?”
* can pronounce my name; “tell me Mr. McGrory am I pronouncing your name correctly?”
* knows something about me
* is polite
* tells me where they got my name; “Mr. McGrory, we got your name from the town hall records….”
* tells me where they are located; “Mr. McGrory, we respect your privacy and desire to not receive solicitations at home via the telephone, may we send you…..may we offer our web address…..may I leave my name…etc. etc.
* tells me their address
* gives me their telephone number so I can call them back
* sends me some literature
* etc. etc. etc.
All they do is hang up because they are frauds!
Steve McGrory
Steve McGrory Consultancy
Medfield, MA
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