Nat'l do not call list
 

the national do not call list just opened up for registrations...

http://donotcall.gov/Register/Reg.aspx

finally...

My only beef is that political organizations and charities are left out - the two most corrupt entities.

Edit:
I looked it up, and these entities are also exempt:

• long-distance phone companies
• airlines
• banks and credit unions; and
• the business of insurance, to the extent that it is regulated by state law.

So WTF is the point? Those are some of the biggest abusers! It seems like it's more of a 'protecting our market' sort of deal, than a real do-not-call list. Now these industries can rest assured that others won't excessively wear out the telephone welcome mat.

And WTH would an *airline* want to telemarket? "Hey, we have a really great flight to Chicago, interested?"

The biggest abusers we get are damn recordings for carpet cleaning and mortgage brokers (who do NOT fall in the "banker" category, IMHO).

As for charities, I'm right there with you Thom. I like how our annual United Way drive always neglects to mention that UW scrapes 10% right off whatever you give them as "administrative" costs, before they even pass it on to whichever charities you tell them to.

I saw a list somewhere of large US "for profit" corporations that actually donate a larger percentage of their revenue to charity than many large "charitable" organizations. Ridiculous.

I quickly signed up for the do not call list before thinking it through. I am quite sure the government will now begin selling my phone number to political parties, airlines and banks.

I wonder how soon some company is going to come up with a website that promises to remove your phone # and then sells it to tele-marketers.

Hmm, makes you wonder.....

Feelin' a little paranoid today,
-Z-man.

I used to get a call from some kind of "Fraternal Order of Police" for donations.. PD and FD kinda press buttons with people.. so the first year the FOP got $10.. then the next year I suggested that because I'm collecting for my local FD, which was true, I'll match your donation to my FD.. so the phone guy contacted a few different guys at the place.. I could hear the background chattering.. then a NO from the caller.. the next year I received mail from FOP.. I wrote the FD message on the return slip.. so I guess they removed my name..

and I friend told me he taped the postage paid envelope to a
2X4 and made a check out for 2 cents. He said the Post Office has to deliver it ............Ron

Out here they contract out a telemarketing co. that takes a huge cut from your donation! So you send the FOP $10 and they get maybe--maybe!--$6.

Already happening:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncregalrt.htm

http://news.com.com/2100-1037_3-1000728.html

Ron, what a great idea. I thought I had a great idea when I used to put scraps of sheet metal in the postage paid envelopes. You friends idea is even better