206-350-6740

Message left about my sight on Ebay.

Message left about "my" website that doesn't exist.  Lucius was the name left.

Message from guy named Lucious, says "seen your business on the internet last night and call him (by name) at 1-206-350-6740.  Name is Luscious Harris out of Seattle, WA

Lucias called me to.  Whatever he is selling, I don't agree with his method.  I referred him to the Direct Marketers Assocation to learn how to LEGALLY use his voice mail/autodialer system.

I know a few heavy hitters in the industry when a new product first came out about two years ago specifically designed to increase dialer productivity.  They used the tag line "I had a few questions about your business".  I never liked the subterfuge and I have debated with industry people and everyone is split down the middle on this one.  I have heard both sides of the debate and I am definitely against that tag line.  I always call them back prepared to turn their sales pitch around making them a client.

What I do think trainers of these various Direct Marketing Companies should be doing is teaching the people they recruit into DIrect Marketing how to do so LEGALLY.  I also think they should sign a contract that if they violate the laws of conduct, they are tossed from the company.  It may sound harsh but it will protect consumers, legitimate business owners, and ultimately I see it as more prodictive prospecting.  A lot of practices are borderline if not violation of telemarketing laws. The fault lies in the people selling product, not being trained and the subject of obeying the laws doesn't come up.

They are supposed to tell you right up front who they are, the company they represent, the purpose of their call, an opt-out option, and a phone number to call back and request you be removed from the call list. When you call back this number, you have to listen to the whole message, with no way to get to him directly, there is a voice mail but you have to listen to the entire message.  I hit every touch tone button - no opt out and no way to bypass his message.  

My thought is to call Lucius back and tell him he's violating FCC laws and he should take a class with the Direct Marketing Assocation to run his business legally.  

I am ranting a bit because I work very hard at playing by the rules.  Consumers are tired by people who don't play by the rules and frankly, so am I.