# Ask the person who calls people--telephone surveys **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056 "2012-10-17T20:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/301 "2012-10-26T07:18:59Z")
Oh, yeah. I forgot to scoff at this: > [@](#): > > [Freerice - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freerice) > > One month after the inception of the viral marketing program, users had earned enough points for one billion grains of rice. That comes out to less than 1 shipping container of rice. I’m not at all impressed. The fact that you are says something about your innumeracy. And gullibility. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/302 "2012-10-26T09:06:45Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > -snip- > > The thing is, we get text marketers here, too. I’ve never sent a text, never seen any reason to. I’ve never received a text from anyone that I know. However, I’ve received lots of marketing texts. When I got a new phone, I had the nice tech remove the texting capability. I no longer receive texts, which were costing me 10 cents per text to receive. > -snip- The more I hear about my telemarketing brethren across the pond, the less I like them. You’re right - the industry is screwy. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/303 "2012-10-26T14:40:41Z")
If you had to LIVE with US telemarketers, especially during the Bad Old Days before the national Do Not Call list, you would hate them with a fierce burning hate. Some telemarketing companies are apparently just ignoring the law, and calling everyone. There’s one loan company that’s especially notorious for this. We get robo calls from “Rachel from Card Services” or her sister Heather, informing us that we could probably get a lower interest rate. If we’re interested, we should press \ now, or to be removed from the calling list, we should press \. The thing is, why should I believe that Rachel is going to remove me from her calling list, when she’s already violating the DNC list? US telemarketing firms are evil, I tells you, evil. And most people with a shred of decency won’t work at one, as prostitution is a more honorable profession. Or even being a used car salesman is more honorable. ---
**Author:** ![dimmy\_derko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@dimmy\_derko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dimmy_derko)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/304 "2012-10-26T14:55:28Z")
I’d rather be a crack-dealer than a telemarketer - at least the former is happy with customers finding them and doesn’t go ringing random people up asking them if they want some crack. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/305 "2012-10-26T15:04:17Z")
And we haven’t even touched on fax solicitations. My fax number can only be obtained with difficulty, but at least one disreputable company has it. Infrequently, I get a junk fax advertising drugs, medical or insurance stuff. While I realized the possible futility of asking to be removed, just for kicks, I have replied to each and every one for years with their specified removal procedure. Some want a fax back, some say call this number. I never get another call from those specific numbers, but…I continue to get calls from other numbers, whose art work looks amazingly like the first ones. Sometimes all that has changed is the phone number. I therefore conclude that these are one-time calls, and after the robo-batch has been completed, the number is never used again. That way, while they might actually record the Do Not Call requests, they don’t have to use that list ever, nor will they ever be violating the letter of the law. It reminds me of the OP’s claims that they will keep calling even if requested not to. Isn’t this the definition of insanity, repeating something that always fails, hoping for a better result? However, I think I will stop doing this, as I just got a $1 charge on my phone bill for one of my Do Not Call faxes. That’s adding insult to injury. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/306 "2012-10-26T21:23:05Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Don’t just take my word for it, buy yourself a scale like mine. It cost just under 30 USD at a head-shop. It’s been quite useful. Then you can weigh and calculate shit for yourself. If the UN endorses it, and it _proves_ to be bullshit, then I guess that demonstrates that the UN is bullshit, too. I’m not surprised, here. > > Congradufuckinglations. Doesn’t sound very good to _me_ now that I’ve actually checked it out and weighed the fucking _rice_. But you can do as you please. No matter how useless. Have fun, but you’re tilting at windmills, here. UN endorsed windmills, but there you go… > > Great for your kids, but you’re fooling yourself if you think you’re doing anything to actually _feed_ anyone in the process. But keep on fooling yourself. I’m sure _they_ don’t give a shit. > [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Oh, yeah. I forgot to scoff at this: > That comes out to less than 1 shipping container of rice. I’m not at all impressed. The fact that you are says something about your innumeracy. And gullibility. If it makes you feel just great to smugly mock a site that helps feed people and teach kids math, English, art history, geography and compassion then go ahead. That’s sort of pathetic but go ahead. It fits in perfectly in a thread where people are defending jerks who expect others to work for them for free. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/307 "2012-10-27T01:35:47Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > If it makes you feel just great to smugly mock a site that helps feed people and teach kids math, English, art history, geography and compassion then go ahead. That’s sort of pathetic but go ahead. It fits in perfectly in a thread where people are defending jerks who expect others to work for them for free. Yeah, Slacktivism is great. You get all the warm feeling with none of the effort. It fits in the thread well because everybody’s already so off topic-- with a bloody admin leading the charge. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/308 "2012-10-27T01:38:56Z")
OK, back on topic then. You are a piece of telephonic shit. Happy now? ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/309 "2012-10-27T10:22:05Z")
Make a list of all the other jobs that make people into subhumans, Muffin, and we’ll go out and get yellow stars or something so you know who to put in the ovens. ---
**Author:** ![dimmy\_derko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@dimmy\_derko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dimmy_derko)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/310 "2012-10-27T11:45:46Z")
Can you burn deadwood? ---
**Author:** ![dimmy\_derko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@dimmy\_derko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dimmy_derko)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/311 "2012-10-27T12:18:58Z")
There’s a pertinent story on the bbc news website, [here](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20068927). > [@](#): > > The company said there was no record of Mr Herman’s number in its database or that of any of its partner companies. > > But Mr Herman had recorded the phone calls. So, stepping up his consumer assertiveness another gear, he filed a case in the small claims court. > > And that seemed to do the trick. The case was settled before it went to court. > > AAC, the company which had called Richard on behalf of PPI Claimline, paid him £195 for his time and electricity, as well as his £25 court costs. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/312 "2012-10-27T12:38:47Z")
> [@Dave\_Hartwick](#): > > Make a list of all the other jobs that make people into subhumans, Muffin, and we’ll go out and get yellow stars or something so you know who to put in the ovens. And the masked Godwinizer strikes again. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/313 "2012-10-27T13:16:11Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > And the masked Godwinizer strikes again. If the shoe fits, Himmler. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/314 "2012-11-01T23:16:22Z")
Arrived home today, there were 4 calls on my machine. All were from the same source (same voice) but with different messages, anti-{one presidential candidate}. The caller IDs were different, probably junk, robocalls, with no human being involved. Note that my phone is unlisted. THESE ARE EXACTLY THE KIND OF JUNK CALLS THE NO-CALL LIST WAS INTENDED TO STOP! To add insult to injury, the claim made on one call was absolutely, positively, incontrovertibly, false. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/315 "2012-11-01T23:53:50Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > THESE ARE EXACTLY THE KIND OF JUNK CALLS THE NO-CALL LIST WAS INTENDED TO STOP! Are they? Pretty sure those calls are exactly the types of calls that are specifically singled out as exceptions to the no-call list legislation. Which is also a problem- the critters writing these laws exempt themselves just like they do everywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/316 "2012-11-02T01:12:47Z")
Seriously, it’s like when you have Google Voice, which screens your calls for uknown numbers and sends known spamming dialers straight to the spam box, you live in a completely different world. I NEVER get hastled by any sort of telemarketers or whatever, because if anyone not in my contacts dials my number they have to say their name first. Then I can choose to answer it or send it straight to voice mail. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/317 "2012-11-02T01:27:42Z")
> [@smoke](#): > > Are they? Yes, they are. When the no-call legislation was proposed, we all thought that would be the end of it. Absolutely no consumer thought there should be exceptions. It’s only the lobbyists who carved these out. > [@](#): > > Pretty sure those calls are exactly the types of calls that are specifically singled out as exceptions to the no-call list legislation. Yes, due to lobbyists. > [@](#): > > Which is also a problem- the critters writing these laws exempt themselves just like they do everywhere else. Yes, they do. It’s politics, Jim. ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/318 "2012-11-02T17:10:25Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Yes, they are. When the no-call legislation was proposed, we all thought that would be the end of it. Absolutely no consumer thought there should be exceptions. It’s only the lobbyists who carved these out.Yes, due to lobbyists.Yes, they do. It’s politics, Jim. OK, we’re on the same page. I didn’t know you were only speaking towards the ideal of do-not-call vs. how it was written. My b. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/319 "2012-11-02T18:03:16Z")
Another anti-Obama robocall today. Maybe they’re targeting my neighborhood, but so far, they are mostly for that other guy…what’s his name? Rom-something. ---
**Author:** ![al27052](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056/320 "2012-11-04T03:25:14Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > And the masked Godwinizer strikes again. No, don’t call him a Godwinizer to cover up the fact that you took a dick position and are now defending it. Defend your dick position proudly. OK, I meant that, but it came out unintentionally funny… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-who-calls-people-telephone-surveys/638056.md?page=17)