Sign up for the ‘No, Really, Do Not Call’ list

“Good evening. Is [Mr./Mrs.] [prospect name] available?” That inquiry could be returning to a phone near you if you don’t re-register with the National Do Not Call list by Sept. 15. As a former telemarketer, I didn’t have the heart to sign up the first time. Ah, the memories. We rang bells if we made a sale. I performed so poorly, they took away my bell. (AdFreak never even gave me a bell. WTF?) Back in the day, almost 20 years ago, we sold magazine subscriptions by phone. That was tough in the pre-Web era, but it must be hellish now: “The In-ter-net? [Mr./Mrs.] [prospect name], I have no idea what you’re talking about.” In an ironic twist, I guess the government can’t call people to remind them to renew. So here’s the number: (888) 382-1222. And in case you’re wondering, I was 8 years old when I smiled and dialed. Guess I’d better sign up before one of my ex-co-workers reads this post and calls me on it.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

September 10, 2007 | Permalink