Subject:   Re: irate                                    Date    Sun, 24 Dec 2000 18:22
From:       pci@private-citizen.com         To:       A..sean@...com

PCI:     Thank you for expressing your views. My comments concerning them are interspersed below:

A..sean@aol.com wrote:
>
> I saw a piece on Dateline regarding your anger towards telemarketers and I am  rather angry.

PCI:        I am not angry with telephone solicitors themselves, but rather fed up with the industry's practice of treating people like Pavlovian dogs, responding to the ring of their phone. Yet the industry does this, with the empirical knowledge that the likely result of their call will serve only to disturb the resident called to the phone, rather than get that resident to comply with the purpose of the call.

        If anything, I feel as sorry for those making the calls as I do for those receiving them. Residents (the tele-victims) are denied their right to be left alone by those they seek to avoid in their own home, and callers are subjected to repeated invectives, insult and rejection inflicted upon them by the called party.

> First, let's distinguish as to whom you are speaking about. I am a telesales professional, NOT a "telemarketer".

PCI: O-Kay - let's examine the above terms.
        Professional: One who makes a living in a specific revenue generating endeavor.
Thus, there are professional politicians, psychics, criminals and stockbrokers; to name a few. Often, a professional does not have to be particularly good at what they do, so long as they can generate revenue from that pursuit.
       Telemarketer: One who uses the telephone to market a product/service. Marketing is the process of bringing a product/service from its point of creation to its point of consumption. Marketing includes opinion surveys, distribution, packaging, sales, etc.
        Telesales: The use of the telephone to generate sales. This is a type of
telemarketer. Indeed, this is the type of telemarketer most reviled by residents.

> I think it is very necessary for YOU to interview the customers whom have actually  bought from telemarketers and ARE pleased.

PCI:    Can you direct me to three of them? Isn't it true that most of those you call do not buy your product or service.

> Your attitude toward these folks is understood. Telesales is a rather worthy occupation and is respected.

PCI:    Respected by who??? When you meet women you are interested in, and tell them your profession, do they initially express respect for what you do, or do they say "Oh, your one of them!".

> Although, the job title and work description is similiar, there should be some separation between the two.

PCI:    I gotta hear this.

> A telemarketer is one who calls someone to harass them, usually with something they do not need.

PCI:    So, it is your contention that respected engines of American commerce (such as Citibank / MCI) hire and pay telemarketers to violate federal telephone harassment law (Title 47 U.S. Code sec. 223).

May I suggest that you get a grasp on reality.

The vast majority of residents have a need for credit and long long distance services. Yet the vast majority of those tele-solicited by Citibank or MCI do not comply with their telephonic pitches. Indeed, the vast majority are annoyed (feel harassed) by such calls.

> A telesales pro is one who has a needed product or service.

PCI:    I can't think of anything that absolutely everyone needs, other than a funeral service. Is that what you 'telesell'?
 
> I am rather insulted by your attitude.

PCI:    The insult you sense is self-inflicted. It's time for you to find work that doesn't insult you and those you call.
 
> Thank You,
> Sean
> seansam...@....com

PCI:    And thank you for sharing.

--
Bob Bulmash
Private Citizen, Inc.
http://private-citizen.com