Robocalls
My God, I have gotten so many robocalls, I've begun to hate them more than telemarketers. So far I have received calls from:- Puff Daddy
- Bill Clinton(2)
- Spike Lee
- Roger Clemens
- Laura Bush
Comments
For the most part, they are "Vote for my candidate." I think they come from a comibination of registered voting lists, and (for me) Democratic party lists. That would explain the fact that it skews to more Democratic calls than Republican ones for me.
I'm not sure of the effect, one way or another. In a way I don't mind. I can just hang up, instead of having to get rude, or lie to get off the phone, as you do with a living caller.
I think because telemarketing is just a fact of life here in the US, these calls don't have a huge negative effect. Maybe it's like spam and pop-ups. Most people hate them, but they still work.
I have been known to play them mp3s whilst I locate the master of the house.
Given that it is illegal for them to call me now as I'm on the 'Do Not Call' list, on the rare occasion I simply express interest, get their details then inform them calmly that I'll be reporting them. They hang up very quickly indeed. It's fun.
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
The TPS is a damned good thing. The telemarketers use it as a) they have to and b) they don't waste time ringing hostile people. The punters use it for obvious reasons.
Punters? I'm not too good with my British slang.
... what do these calls consist of? What are they trying to achieve?
Reading between the lines I infer that they consist of 'Hi, this is Laura Bush, please remember to vote for George on Tuesday...'
I can't think of anything which can have a more negative effect on a campaign... Hmm... maybe it is the other side?
Posted by: Murk at October 31, 2004 4:38 PM