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From: msc@saber.UUCP (Mark Callow)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: (Autodialing) Telephone advertising
Message-ID: <1854@saber.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Nov-85 19:00:55 EST
Article-I.D.: saber.1854
Posted: Wed Nov  6 19:00:55 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 06:40:56 EST
References: <328@aoa.UUCP> <76@birtch.UUCP> <204@opus.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Saber Technology, San Jose, CA
Lines: 38

> > > ...
> > > These machines are especially obnoxious since they refuse to release your
> > > phone line until they are done with you. 

I recently received two calls from these machines for two different
advertisers.

On the first call, after I discovered it hadn't released the line, I
listened to the whole spiel to get the company's name but the name
wasn't given only a request to leave my phone number for them to
get back to me--fat chance.

The second call, though it was for a different advertiser, was recorded
by the same person as the first.  After discovering that, yet again,
the machine held the line, again I listened.  This time the company's
name was given--a local travel agent.

I called the California PUC to confirm that, as I already suspected,
the machines are by CA law supposed to release the line when you hang
up.  The recordings had stated that the machine would hang up
even though it didn't.

I then called the travel agent and spoke to the manager.  I told
her that the machine was breaking the law and that I'd heard of
a lawsuit on the East Coast where someone was trying to call the
paramedics for her baby.  I also told her that I would boycott
any company using this advertising technique.

She told me that they had bought this "service" from another company
who had made the recording and was operating the equipment.  That
company had claimed to her compliance with all applicable laws.
She apologized and said she would contact said company.

I haven't had anymore calls.
-- 
From the TARDIS of Mark Callow
msc@saber.UUCP,  sun!saber!msc@decwrl.dec.com
...{decwrl,ucbvax}!sun!saber!msc, ...{amdcad,ihnp4}!saber!msc