I just discovered something that I simply MUST share with the world (some of you will call me a slow learner because you already know it but that's okay). Not too long ago, I switched my long distance company from AT&T to MCI because MCI called and offered me 11,000 frequent flyer miles for switching - 5,000 right away, 1,000 for using my calling card within 30 days (a fact that the telemarketer failed to mention), and 1,000 per month for the next 5 months.
Well, I don't fly that frequently but I thought that this sounded like a good deal so I switched. Naturally, I started getting called frequently by AT&T to switch back. The last one this morning sent me over the edge. While remaining relatively calm, I stopped the caller, told her the details of the offer she was making (I almost got it down perfectly in 20 seconds - what they take minutes to tell you), and told her I was not interested in switching until I was finished getting my frequent flyer miles. As usual, she ignored what I was saying and eventually, when she was concluding her call, she mentioned a phone number to call if I had any questions. I wrote that number down and called it!
Yes, I had a question. How the hell do you get them to stop calling you?! I explained my situation to the person who answered my call and asked, "Is there any way that I can get y'all to stop calling me?"
She, in a matter-of-fact tone said, "Well, we can put you on our 'do not call list'."
"WHAT!!," I was thinking excitedly. "Why, yes, that would be nice," I calmly replied (while my heart pounded quickly). We went through the normal address verification procedures and I hung up.
VICTORY!
So here's the deal. By law (which one, I'm not sure but I'm looking into it), telemarketing companies are required to stop calling you if you ask not to be called. How you ask may be key however since I know I asked AT&T to stop calling numerous times. Just ask to be put on the "do-not-call list" or "don't-call list" and they are required by law to stop calling you. It does take an amount of time before the requests filters out to every entity associated with them that has your number but eventually, you'll be able to reclaim your evenings as your own.
After learning about "do-not-call lists", I did a search on Yahoo! about it and came up with one hit. For a fee, you can have Private Citizens, Inc. list your name in the Private Citizens Directory which is then sent to over 1000 telemarketing firms and list sellers. Does it work? I don't know. The lower cost method would be to request to be put on the list by each company that calls you.
Here's an interesting and useful site to check out for more information on anti-telemarketing techniques: The AntiTelemarketer's Source.