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(UPI) Spiffy Soon you may be able to be bothered by a telmarketer during dinner at the same phone number for the rest of your life   (upi.com) divider line 39
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5472 clicks; posted to Geek » on 03 Jul 2009 at 10:56 AM   |  Make this a Fark FavoriteFavorite    |   share: Share on OMGTWITTER WEB2.0share on StumbleUponshare on Facebook  more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!

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Megain [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 09:41:45 AM  
i can honestly say i've never been bothered by a telmarketer during dinner

 
ZAZ [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 10:18:58 AM  
No, thanks, Google, I don't feel like giving you access to more of my personal data.

 
Antidamascus 2009-07-03 10:59:14 AM  
We almost never get telemarketer calls. Like 1 a year. I don't know how people get on these lists they can't get off of.

 
cyrus_hunter 2009-07-03 11:01:54 AM  
I hardly ever get telemarketer calls anymore, but when they do come in, it's usually during dinner. I've started reading passages from D&D manuals to them. One guy who was trying to sell those extended vehicle warantees lasted through about a half-page of Lords of Madness: a Guide to Aberrations.

 
ChubbyTiger 2009-07-03 11:24:05 AM  
cyrus_hunter: I hardly ever get telemarketer calls anymore, but when they do come in, it's usually during dinner. I've started reading passages from D&D manuals to them. One guy who was trying to sell those extended vehicle warantees lasted through about a half-page of Lords of Madness: a Guide to Aberrations.

Ooo, I like this.

 
Lost Thought 00 2009-07-03 11:31:51 AM  
What do people use phones for anymore?

 
Mr. Potatoass 2009-07-03 11:33:08 AM  
www.cmt.com

Disagrees

 
sararenne 2009-07-03 11:36:21 AM  
cyrus_hunter: I hardly ever get telemarketer calls anymore, but when they do come in, it's usually during dinner. I've started reading passages from D&D manuals to them. One guy who was trying to sell those extended vehicle warantees lasted through about a half-page of Lords of Madness: a Guide to Aberrations.


When telemarketers called, my grandfather would tell them all about his day, problems he was having with the garden or his car, and talk and talk for 20 or so minutes then thank them for listening to him and hang up. The telemarketer never got a word in other than "hello".

 
Wananah 2009-07-03 11:37:51 AM  
Still no cure for "can't, sir" (click)

 
Lamune_Baba 2009-07-03 11:46:20 AM  
Antidamascus: We almost never get telemarketer calls. Like 1 a year. I don't know how people get on these lists they can't get off of.

I'd say about 9/10ths of all calls I get are auto-dialers from someone running a scam. Completely random. They just run entire exchanges through a VOIP system till they get a number that connects. They catch unlisted / private numbers that way. You don't actually have to be on a "list" anywhere and you can still get called.

Still only get about one every two months or so, and I never actually get to speak to anyone. It's either left as a voicemail or another person picks up before I do. (It'll ask you to press "1" to talk to a rep... but then it hangs up. Because there is only one or two lines taking care of thousands of phone calls. When someone requests a connection, it rings them in to a person. If he's already on the line, you get dropped.)

I feel sorry for the poor shlub who's number got spoofed by these crooks when it happens. They broadcast a fake number on the caller ID. And that poor bastard gets about ten thousand angry phone calls at all hours of the day until they can get their number changed.

 
Quantum Apostrophe 2009-07-03 11:49:05 AM  
Megain: i can honestly say i've never been bothered by a telmarketer during dinner

Someone's gotta market those tels.

 
Bacontastesgood 2009-07-03 11:59:08 AM  
'Put me on your do not call list.'

If it's automated, I press every number and then set the phone down and walk away.

 
beerrun [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 12:15:49 PM  
Omaha Steaks!!!!!

 
XMark 2009-07-03 12:41:17 PM  
Antidamascus: We almost never get telemarketer calls. Like 1 a year. I don't know how people get on these lists they can't get off of.

If you're in Canada you can get on that list by signing up for the Do Not Call list. We do everything backwards here.

 
Duck_of_Doom 2009-07-03 12:42:59 PM  
Lamune_Baba: It'll ask you to press "1" to talk to a rep... but then it hangs up. Because there is only one or two lines taking care of thousands of phone calls. When someone requests a connection, it rings them in to a person. If he's already on the line, you get dropped.

Or worse, it rings to a voicemail box, and you get no satisfaction. In that case, put call on hold for as long as you can tie up the line, but it's not nearly as much fun as screwing with someone live.

Quick question: are businesses not allowed to be on the Do Not Call registry, or are businesses valid targets for telemarketers? I nearly had an argument with a telemarketer yesterday over that. I said my company's numbers was on the registry, he said it doesn't matter because it's a business. Then he wanted our number to "remove".

/usually ask person for midget porn

 
Di Atribe [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 12:48:06 PM  
You guys realize the story isn't really about telemarketers, but about having one phone number for your entire life, right?

Sounds like a logistical nightmare to me, but hey that's just me.

 
Dinjiin [recently expired TotalFark] 2009-07-03 12:48:35 PM  
My parents have had the same telephone number for over 40 years, although that number drops to 12 years if you include the area code split they were part of. I have a feeling that they'll die of old age with that number.

Too bad that the DNCL is only for 5 years instead of the lifetime a person leases the number. Which reminds me, I should make sure the folks are renewed on that list...

 
XMark 2009-07-03 12:49:44 PM  
I love auto-dialer scam calls. I always press 1 when I get the automated message saying I've won a free trip, in the hopes that I actually do get connected and I can pretend to be a sucker for as long as possible to tie up their lines.

 
HagarTheHorrible [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 12:50:47 PM  
The nice thing about Google Voice is that it has a blacklist. Put a number on it and the caller will get a not-in-service message.

So far GV seems to work pretty well, though the message transcription needs some work.

Got my name as my phone number now. Very cool.

 
paygun 2009-07-03 12:56:25 PM  
Lost Thought 00: What do people use phones for anymore?

Mostly for Facebook.

 
Di Atribe [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 12:59:56 PM  
HagarTheHorrible: The nice thing about Google Voice is that it has a blacklist. Put a number on it and the caller will get a not-in-service message.

So if you call 911 and get disconnected.... can they not call you back? Also, since you have this service and the article didn't really say, is this a VOIP-based system?

 
freddie freeloader 2009-07-03 01:01:14 PM  
Google Voice is awesome. Best features:
1. Rings all of your phones simultaneously, whichever one you pick up gets the call.
2. Can set into do-not-disturb so everything goes right to voicemail
3. Can set into call screening mode so callers need to say who they are before the call gets presented to you
4. Can easily manage all your voicemails and call history online

And yeah, it attempts to transcribe voicemails people leave you, and yeah, it doesn't work that great.

 
freddie freeloader 2009-07-03 01:03:23 PM  
Di Atribe: HagarTheHorrible: The nice thing about Google Voice is that it has a blacklist. Put a number on it and the caller will get a not-in-service message.

So if you call 911 and get disconnected.... can they not call you back? Also, since you have this service and the article didn't really say, is this a VOIP-based system?


Not exactly, no, in the sense that to talk to someone you have to have another phone; there is no soft phone or anything if that's what you mean. In their infrastructure it must be VOIP but you don't have any visibility into it. I'm sure at some point it will get merged with those capabilities in Google Talk.

 
Di Atribe [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 01:04:33 PM  
freddie freeloader: Not exactly, no, in the sense that to talk to someone you have to have another phone; there is no soft phone or anything if that's what you mean. In their infrastructure it must be VOIP but you don't have any visibility into it. I'm sure at some point it will get merged with those capabilities in Google Talk.

So it's more of an incoming call service. What happens with your outgoing calls?

 
Linux_Yes [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 01:16:20 PM  
WRONG.

with my Callcentric Internet phone (VOIP) i can block individual numbers or even entire area codes.

all the caller will get is a busy signal.


no, i don't miss my cell phone at all.

and i DO enjoy spending only ~10 dollars/month on local and long distance phone service.


step aside, AT&T.

and no, my computer does not have to be powered on to use my phone.

 
Lamune_Baba 2009-07-03 01:27:15 PM  
Duck_of_Doom: Quick question: are businesses not allowed to be on the Do Not Call registry, or are businesses valid targets for telemarketers? I nearly had an argument with a telemarketer yesterday over that. I said my company's numbers was on the registry, he said it doesn't matter because it's a business. Then he wanted our number to "remove".

Not sure. The FTC says business-to-business calls aren't covered under the registry. That's probably why.


Dinjiin:
Too bad that the DNCL is only for 5 years instead of the lifetime a person leases the number. Which reminds me, I should make sure the folks are renewed on that list...


I found this on their web page when I was looking to confirm that "no business numbers" thing above. I didn't notice this one before:

Your registration will not expire. Telephone numbers placed on the National Do Not Call Registry will remain on it permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. Read more about it at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm.

So.. woot. Eat it, telemarketers!

 
HagarTheHorrible [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 01:31:47 PM  
Di Atribe: HagarTheHorrible: The nice thing about Google Voice is that it has a blacklist. Put a number on it and the caller will get a not-in-service message.

So if you call 911 and get disconnected.... can they not call you back? Also, since you have this service and the article didn't really say, is this a VOIP-based system?


When you call out direct from your landline or cellphone, GV doesn't enter into the picture. No worries with 911 calls.

AFAIK it is a VOIP based service.

 
Di Atribe [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 01:33:40 PM  
HagarTheHorrible: When you call out direct from your landline or cellphone, GV doesn't enter into the picture. No worries with 911 calls.

AFAIK it is a VOIP based service.


I see. Thank you!

 
Kotecks 2009-07-03 01:51:24 PM  
I think this is a poor headline. Just noting that for posterity.

 
StrikitRich 2009-07-03 02:01:24 PM  
Grand Central has been around for years. What's the big deal?

Oh, Google.

 
Ika7734 2009-07-03 02:13:52 PM  
I can block incoming calls with my voip. Look up the number in the log and put it in my blacklist. Sure they might spoof the number, but chances are I don't know anyone in that area code anyway.

 
zunkus 2009-07-03 03:10:04 PM  
I don't think I would want one number for the rest of my life, I like to change it up every once in awhile. Helps to keep up my mysterious facade.

 
DigitalCoffee 2009-07-03 03:17:42 PM  
8-6-7-5-3-0-9

/for a good time call....

 
fatassbastard [TotalFark] 2009-07-03 07:01:04 PM  
I already have a phone number for life. The last time I got new cel service, my number was pretty cool and easy to remember.

Barring some bizarre eventuality, this will be my primary phone number until either I die, or the 10-digit US phone number system changes or becomes obsolete.

 
Hugo Zorilla 2009-07-03 10:08:00 PM  
Don't keep us in suspense.

What's the number?

 
IC Stars 2009-07-03 11:27:59 PM  
DigitalCoffee: 8-6-7-5-3-0-9

/for a good time call....


606-0842

/and I'm waiting for you

 
100 Watt Walrus 2009-07-04 12:06:21 AM  
When I get an automated bullshiat warrantee or mortgage call, I press one, and while I'm waiting find something I can use to deafen the operator when he/she comes to the line. Sometimes I bang a pot with a wooden spoon. Sometimes I blow a whistle. I used to just scream, but that hurt my throat. Before that, I would just play tricks on them. But I decided that letting them off too easy.

Bad economy or not, I have zero sympathy or tolerance for anyone who would take a telemarketing job. Lowest form of (non-violent) human life, with no concern for others.

If I had to choose between telemarketing and scrubbing toilets, I'd take the toilets, even if the pay was lower. I'd rather clean up a piece of shiat than be one for a living.

 
Lamune_Baba 2009-07-04 11:54:26 AM  
100 Watt Walrus: When I get an automated bullshiat warrantee or mortgage call, I press one, and while I'm waiting find something I can use to deafen the operator when he/she comes to the line.

I've been trying to play along just to get a damn mailing address out of one of them. I'm suuuuper worried about my car's warranty, but I don't have a credit card. Check or money order. Just need to know where to mail it.

To date, it's never worked. Of course, I've also not had many attempts to try. Out of maybe the last dozen of those calls hitting the number to connect got me a person once. The rest dropped immediately. And then they disconnected / hung up before I even got to start talking. =/

 
Aye Carumba 2009-07-04 02:38:17 PM  
HagarTheHorrible: The nice thing about Google Voice is that it has a blacklist. Put a number on it and the caller will get a not-in-service message.

So far GV seems to work pretty well, though the message transcription needs some work.

Got my name as my phone number now. Very cool.


Me too, I got my name in my own area code yesterday. farking awesome stuff. Works with Gizmo as one of my extensions, and it knows to SMS my cell when I get a voicemail. All kinds of privacy features.

I shut down all unnecessary landline services, pretty much everything except E911, saving $25/month, which goes directly into BEER! Thanks Google!

 
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