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But people do not realize how much information is out there about them because they have made that choice.

They ***** and moan about the government, but look at that article. Look at how much information is really floating around. And your point about savings and such. Yea, that's right. But, how many of these people are selling that information to others, then to others, then to others?

****, I really don't give a chit. Come find me, I'll just change my number or turn off the phone. That's why I have caller id. But, I think. And this is my personal opinion only. That people have no right to complain when the government representatives, who they voted into office because they felt these people would represent their best intrests, decides based on what they conceive as threats to yours and my(the people who voted them into office) security want to tap into some of this information that every john, ****, and freaken harry already have.

But, then again. I'll get flamed, and again. I really don't give a chit. Because, like I said. It's only my opinion. And I do jump on the savings with a little loss of privacy as part of the price. Because, I just am not worried about it.

How can anyone, and I mean anyone argue that it's ok for all these business that buy and sell information about people down to almost every nitty gritty detail about a persons life have the right, when their own government doesn't to protect them. And if someone says, power corrupts and the goverment would abuse it. Bull chit, who is to say all of these buisness's arnt abusing it now. Who is to say that these people arn't using this information against us now.

It's bull ****, pure and simple bull ****.


Dan

And I pretty much feel the same. I don't give a crap what you know really, you never know what I don't want you to know. I lived here fr nearly 15 years with a creative 'profile'.

I was legally in the country, was legally in teh UK, was legally working and paying taxes in both, but neither knew anything about where I was or what I was working on at any given time. Music income was not paid to a personal account or an account that had any relation to me, nothing in my name at all...not even a drivers license , library card or checkbook in my name.

I simply disappeared....legally (if there is such a thing).

For the last 4 years I have been a little more rooted than before, a little more active in the community and province, have accounts in my own name, etc.

I never hear from a telemarketer, only companies I deal with that have the odd offer or something. I that's why I don't get that feeling of intrusion, I don't get SPAM, well a couple a day at most maybe (<10 week), but again it's nothing intrusive. Canadian privacy laws are a lot tighter than US also, US laws are mroe focused towards not restricting business or corporate growth. This could be due to the many corporations that suport and influence politics. Our Politicians are sponsored by Clucky's Chicken Hut and the Tandoori Hut for Spicy Battered Women.

We too are bought and sold like whores. Yet, with respect to call centers etc., we have had DNC lists for some time and they do respect removal requests. You can also obtain a list of any information the CRTC is allowing sharing of by a simple request by email (if you can find the tiny link on their website). All 'above board' call centers use only CRTC approved information.


I am not saying we have complete privacy by any stretch of the word!
But it has been proven over time that the Canadian government is far more focused towards protecting personal rights than supporting business. Maybe that's one positive thing about a more centered or left wing government.

In the end though, I don't really try to hide tracks anymore, but I don't really mind the information that they do have on me anyway.

Telemarketing calls at your home are for residentally focused sales, would you rather these people conducted business and offered you personal advantages, savings, products for your home, while you are at work?

I would prefer buisness solicitations come through the mail. That way I can look at what they're offering at my leisure and with no pressure. My home phone is for personal use, or business that I choose to initiate. I do get sales calls while at work... related to work... and I do not mind these calls, because I am being paid to take them.

Face it YOU conduct business, including cold calls if you are in ANY form of sales or product marketing

I'm a government employee, so I guess that means I don't :)

People ***** and whine when prices are too high, then when companies find more effective and cost efficient ways of conducting busienss, people ***** and whine about that too.

Uh, it's business that they have no idea of whether I want it or not. If I need a product or service, I will actively seek it out. Therefore no method of advertising (except a listing in the phone book, or a web page that can be found with search engines) is "more effective" to me.

Do you have your ringer turned off? Why not? Don't want anyone calling you? Turn off the ringer.

I screen calls... and block calls that do not send callerID.

When you lease a telecommunications system, you are thus opening yourself up to people also calling you.

Exactly! I leased the telecommunications system. You are apparently missing the implication of that.

I especially despise these intrusions on my cell. I had to cancel text messaging because I had to pay for the text messages whether I read them or not (over 1000 in one month!), and the sales calls use up my minutes.

Sounds like they get pretty ruthless down there still. I have had a total of mayve 5 calls for sales related isues on my cell in over 10 years, that's no exaggeration. Those calls were also from companies I conduct business with.

First of all, How to reduce the number of calls you get.
1)ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE! If you don't, your number is recycled in the same list and the PD will automatically call you at a different time tomorrow. After X number of calls with no answer, your number is tried at random for as long as the list is run (often two to three weeks per shift). That makes for a lot of annoying calls and you didn't even get a deal on anything!LOL :)

2) BE POLITE!These guys have you nailed, pi$$ them off,call the, losers etc. and you will may see your number entered as a redial on one ring no answer, then of course a hang up, no matter how many times you answer. That dialler can call you endlessly remember it doesn't sleep.
POlitely ask for information and ask that your number is removed from the list. You'll reply if you find the information suitable. They will almost always remove you right away, from their list anyway. Once thta list is sold, your number is no longer there fo the next company. It takes while but works well.

Cell phones, almost any call center here that recognizes a cell number would remove it instantly, especially if they accidentally call and then find out.

As for you actually believing you will be the only one able to use your leased two-way communications system, give your head a shake! Why not just have your Telco set your phone for outbound calls only?

Another good one is where many providers will offer a security service. People calling will only get through after entering YOUR security code. Friends, family, spouse etc. have the code, nobody else gets through, no rings, no leased call display needed.

"Uh, it's business that they have no idea of whether I want it or not. If I need a product or service, I will actively seek it out."

So you are then fully aware of every savings, product and offer available to mankind and have decided what you do and do not need? Well done, you are the first to ever accomplish such a feat.

So for instance, the most active marketing in telemarketing has been long distance and local phone services. When US telephone monopolies were deregulated, you apprently already knew exactly who had the best offer, who's service suited your needs best and also feel that they have no idea that it is a product you use? You do know there are well over 300 telcos in the US! If you have a number, you use the product. Just one example, there are dozens of others.

Think about it, at approximately $1 per number, and average list sizes of 30,000 numbers being run weekly, at a cost of say $38 per seat per hour with 200 reps, do you not think that list would be targeted? Do you not think they already KNOW you conduct that business, whether you admit it to them or not. Don't you think they got that list from a source that already qualified you as a candidate?

If I wanted to help you save money on your calling services, why would I MAIL information to you without first calling you on the device I am referring to? I wouldn't go door to door selling cars, but I would drive around advertising a car dealership on one. Day in and day out, everywhere you go you look at ads, your eyes and attantion are targeted all the time whether you like it or not, yet a telephone is intrusive? Can't figure out that device but you can run a network? (Not just poking at you but that rather common mentality in general)
Once they call you, just ask for the info to be mailed, anyone with a respectable product will do so immediately (no commission).

As far as credit cards and magazines, magazine lists are provided by the publishers that you order from already. These publishers re-order services already have your information, you gave it to them yourself and wanted the product, they then sell your information to a call center to get your subscription extended or renewed. If they mailed you a renewal notice, which they often do, as well as placing cards in the magazines, it would just not be cost effective. A call is far cheaper and thus resubscribing over the phone is almost ALWAYS a better savings/package than reply cards.

You see, as this has been proven to be the most effective and inexpensive method of marketing to a broad, qualified audience, it is one of the most popular marketing channels of any company. Again, one that saves them and you money. I don' tknow if you really understand just what an effect this has on the prices you are paying now,for almost everything.

Even market surveys are less expensive than focus groups so R&amp is less expensive for products too. Those survey calls are also directly saving you money in the long run.

You would be living in an expensive world without it.

Sorry for length but there's simply no logical reason for being so aggravated over the most efficient marketing system known to man. Annoyed? Inconvenienced? But to fight it and make it worse is not the answer, it is going nowhere.