CRTC Outsourcing Telemarketing Do not call list ...TO BELL!!

[Locke]

They might as well have just outsourced it to a Telemarketing Call Center.

[McG]

who watches the watchers?

[CrusaderPi]

Originally Posted by McG

who watches the watchers?

The shadow, duh.

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

This has been coming for some time. Government wasn't going to give the CRTC the money or resources to do the job. In the end, the registry is quite a joke.

This do not call list is full of holes. Many organizations and businesses will be able to opt out of some or all of the requirements. For example, charitable organizations will be exempt. If you've ever done business with a company or organization, you will remain on their list.

[Devils'Advocate]

The one that bugs me is Leons. It's just a recording. "We would like to inform you of the coming Easter sale where appliances will be 10 to 15% off....". Since it's not a human, you can't ask to be added to the do-not-call list. And for me, the biggest annoyance of telemarketers is that I have to drop what I am doing - whether it is making supper or playing a level of Warcraft III - and answer the phone. Which I wouldn't mind if it was a friend or family....

[Thor]

There's a do not call list in Canada?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Thor

There's a do not call list in Canada?

Not active, yet. It was supposed to be up and running at least a year ago, but deciding who would run it, wrangling over the rules and so on mean it is still a long ways from being in place.


I hate the calls that don't even say who they are from. A recorded message that says something like, "You are eligible for lower credit card rates, but the opportunity expires soon. Press 1 to speak with a consultant immediately". Nothing about who the call is from. Really annoying.

[MarchHare]

How is it a problem if Bell is administering the do-not-call list? Does Bell have a history of engaging in evil telemarketing practices? I know I've never been phone-spammed by them before, but I may just be lucky that way.

If the government is going to out-source the administration of the list, who better to do it than a telecom company that already has extensive experience creating databases of phone numbers?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by McG

who watches the watchers?

coastguard

[Flashpoint]

I got rid of my landline. I only have a cell phone. I don't answer if I don't recognize the number. If it is something important they will leave a message.

No telemarketers for me!

[IntenseFan]

My only response is:

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I got rid of my landline. I only have a cell phone. I don't answer if I don't recognize the number. If it is something important they will leave a message.

No telemarketers for me!

Same here, also if you do answer and Say "This is a cell phone, never call me at this number again." I have never had a call back... I think it's illegal for them to call cell phones that or I can't explain why it works.

Originally Posted by MarchHare

How is it a problem if Bell is administering the do-not-call list? Does Bell have a history of engaging in evil telemarketing practices? I know I've never been phone-spammed by them before, but I may just be lucky that way.

If the government is going to out-source the administration of the list, who better to do it than a telecom company that already has extensive experience creating databases of phone numbers?

I agree with this, Bell and/or Telus already have your phone numbers and a whole lot more... other than billing issues or the odd customer satisfaction survey I don't think they call much or abuse and use this information... in fact I'm pretty sure the CRTC would fine them alot if they did... and as for who watches the watchers - *if* they need watching well thats what the CRTC does already, so I guess they just keep doing what they do.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

How is it a problem if Bell is administering the do-not-call list? Does Bell have a history of engaging in evil telemarketing practices? I know I've never been phone-spammed by them before, but I may just be lucky that way.

If the government is going to out-source the administration of the list, who better to do it than a telecom company that already has extensive experience creating databases of phone numbers?

The thing with Bell, at least in my experience and others first hand accounts with Expressvu, is that they are dishonest and engage in questionable business practices, to say it nicely. So does anybody want a company with their track record of complaints in charge of a government service dealing with complaints.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The thing with Bell, at least in my experience and others first hand accounts with Expressvu, is that they are dishonest and engage in questionable business practices, to say it nicely. So does anybody want a company with their track record of complaints in charge of a government service dealing with complaints.

According to the OP, Bell wouldn't be dealing with complaints about telemarketers violating the do-not-call list; the CRTC is searching for another company to outsource that function to. The only thing Bell has been contracted to do is create and manage the database of phone numbers -- something a telecom company like Bell or Telus has extensive experience with.

As I mentioned before, if you're not going to outsource that role to a telecom company, who would be better?

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by fotze

Any other telecom company, Kevanguy's telecom company, a kid with a pair of cups connected with a string.

Bell is renowned for ignoring legitimate customer complaints with their own billing practices that they freely admit to. They give three flying fatas about their own customers. Good luck getting some serious effort on this petty, non-auditable issue. I bet they have placed and intern student in charge of the database and about 47 people making sure the CRTC pays for it, in ful,l on time, everytime.

Bell's role in the do-not-call registry is simply maintaining a database of phone numbers, something they (like every other telecom) have tons of experience doing. They don't have to respond to complaints about voilations at all. As was pointed out in the OP, that function is being outsourced to another company.

I'm really not getting the anger here...