| MSBL..: |
Robert Bulmash: I sent for a tape of your broadcast from WGN and received it yesterday. Since the show I have done some checking on your statements and the validity of what you said. It is amazing that your para-legal background doesn't caution you on making totally false statements on the air. |
| PCI: |
Oh really? Did I
say
the tooth fairy exists or that most folks don't mind and/or enjoy being
telemarketed? |
| MSBL..: |
"DMA sells the do not solicits to other
junk
companies". In speaking with the DMA attorney, he
asked
for a copy of the tape, which I have sent, he guarantees me that the
DMA
has never and will never sell the DNS list to
anyone.
. . especially someone who would use it for marketing purposes. |
| PCI: |
I assume you spoke
with
Bob Sherman. He knows me, and regardless of what he told you, I believe
he knows the truth of the matter concerning the DMA's sale of Telephone
Preference Service listees to the junk call industry. |
| MSBL..: |
Secondly, the fact that you would use a
radio
show to promote a service that is free to all is as close to "larceny"
as
possible. |
| PCI: |
I see... so when a grocery store sells
bottled
water, they're doing the same because water can be collected freely
from
parking lot puddles outside a telemarketing facility. Perhaps you
should
consider the quality of the service performed and whether the service
was
implemented to assist or hinder the public's wish to preserve their
privacy.
(Here's a clue; the DMA referred to the Telephone Preference Service as
its
"highly important legislative weapon".) |
| MSBL..: |
From what I hear, your lists are not used by the major telemarketing companies... |
| PCI: |
Then unplug your ears and open your eyes.
The
major (and many minor) junk call firms *do* use our do-not-call
list.
Many list brokers / phone number appending vendors use our purge list
as
well. . . to purge our members' numbers from you junk calling lists.
How
else do you account for the over-75% drop in junk calls that our
memebrs
report? |
| MSBL..: |
since they are not required
(according
to the Illinois Attorney General's office, to follow your request. |
| PCI: |
Interesting. So its your sense that the
telenuisance
industry will respect the privacy rights of individuals only when it is
required
BY LAW. Gee, what about all that crap the DMA, the ATA and Telewatch
puts
out about 'industry self-regulation', and let's not forget the junk
call
industry's mantra of, "We don't want to call anyone who doesn't want to
be
called". Thanks for clarifying the fallacy of the industry's public
relations
program.
Hmmm, I suppose Jonah Gitlitz [the Direct Marketing Association's president] was on target when he reportedly said, "The goal of the DMA is to discover and to thwart possible government regulation; and we have done it". I suggest you read this month's TeleProfessional Magazine (the Editor-in-Chief's Commentary) or TeleServices News (my Letter to the Editor) if you want to really learn about your industry's vaporous brand of self-regulation. Concerning the Illinois A.G.'s office: they called us just this afternoon concerning illegal activity collateral to a Chicago area based telemarketing firm and asked our help in bringing charges. Come to think of it, there's another telemarketing firm I should mention to the A.G.s office. It uses ex-cons right out of Joliet, to make credit card solicitations. From what I was told by someone on the 'inside' at the firm, its president knows (or should have known) that the statements signed by these felons, which attest to their never having been convicted of a crime (as required by law in order to handle credit card information) are false. (Thanks for reminding.) |
| MSBL..: |
Finally, why did you not bring up the
fact
that Tribune Companies does more cold calling than most other companies
in the Chicago land area? Talk about protecting the giants! |
| PCI: |
Well then, I suppose I should have
mentioned
Household International, APAC, Cherry Communications, The Telemarketing
Company,
Market USA, The Daily Herald, The Harris Bank, Discover Card Services,
The
Sun Times, Ameritech, The Signature Group, First Chicago Bank, Allstate
Insurance...
wheh... I'm exhausted just thinking about all the giants I was
protecting.
(Stop me before I protect again!) |
| MSBL..: |
Your reply is awaited. |
| PCI: |
There's my reply sonny (or young lady...
if
you prefer). Call me at 630-393-1555 by the end of July. I want to tape record a debate with you, and put on the web in RealAudio format. If you like, have Bob Sherman on line too, or anyone else you wish to help you (even someone from the Illinois A.G.'s office would be fine). We'll cover the activities of your firm which you will identify (I assume you work for a telemarketer) and those of Private Citizen as it relates to the TCPA. I also want to discuss the telemarketing industry's adherence to the TCPA, as well as the industry's impact on the public's right to be left alone at home. If I don't hear from you, I'll try to find out who you are, track down who you work for, investigate that firm's business practices and report what I learn (if anything) to the appropriate law enforcement or government regulatory agency. Alternatively, ... if you feel so inclined, you can apologize to me by email for what you will term your 'intemperate' remarks. Such an apology will serve to resolve our 'issues'. The ball is in your court. -- Bob Bulmash Private Citizen, Inc. http://private-citizen.com |