"war dialing" and automated sales pitch

[tankman1989]

I remember reading a while back about people calling all the numbers of a certain prefix in hopes of finding a modem connection. They would then see if they could exploit this connection or if it was a public BBS or service.

I am wondering if this technology has merged with the ability to automatically convey a message once the person on the other end picks up.

The reason I ask, is because I just received an automated call about testing "drinking water" in my area, for free, for the next 2 weeks.?

IDK, I wonder if it would just infuriate more people than it would entice.

It may be a good way to introduce one's business to the neighborhood/town.

[thecoldone06]

When I get automated calls I usually hang up on them when i realize I'm on the phone with a machine. Not sure about anyone else but thats me. I wouldn't see that as being advantageous for your business.

[MrUnknown]

did you like the automated call you just got?

plus, I believe it is illegal in the US for selling purposes.

[NYJimbo]

It may be a good way to introduce one's business to the neighborhood/town.

If I get an automated call from anybody trying to sell me stuff it would make me not want to do business with them. Period.

[tankman1989]

Good points. I do hate them, but people always tell me that I'm "strange" and "different" so I don't always take my judgment as how others would see it.

That call did piss me off.

[ProTech Support]

I remember reading a while back about people calling all the numbers of a certain prefix in hopes of finding a modem connection. They would then see if they could exploit this connection or if it was a public BBS or service.

I am wondering if this technology has merged with the ability to automatically convey a message once the person on the other end picks up.

The reason I ask, is because I just received an automated call about testing "drinking water" in my area, for free, for the next 2 weeks.?

IDK, I wonder if it would just infuriate more people than it would entice.

It may be a good way to introduce one's business to the neighborhood/town.

Funny, a couple of months ago a guy showed up to my house with the same proposal. He came back a day later and I gave him a water sample, never heard from him again.

In regards to automated calls, we get them all day long - annoys the hell out of me!

[Mushin]

Funny, a couple of months ago a guy showed up to my house with the same proposal. He came back a day later and I gave him a water sample, never heard from him again.

In regards to automated calls, we get them all day long - annoys the hell out of me!

Remember the presidential campaigns did this..... More bad press than good.


On a different note. Here IS something that I did. First.... I have been in the community here for a LONG time. People usually know me personally or they know my Father, Grand Father, Aunts, Uncles, and on and on. They know out family name in the area....

So when I opened my first physical location. I got on the phone and called about 300 people to let them know that we were opening. It became a talking point in town because this town rarely has anything open up. I started with neighbors and asked them to tell their friends to keep us in mind if they needed computer help. Many already knew me becasue I had been on-site only in the area for some time.

I was scared about the reaction but no one objected to me at all.

[PatrickB]

In the U.S., there are restrictions on automated faxes and phonecalls. On the phonecalls, the caller must desist after being asked once to not call again. Otherwise, the callee may take them to small claims court for, I think, $500 per additional phonecall.

Also, businesses may not call anyone who is on the national do not call list or the state list if there is one.

U.S. National Do Not Call Registry: https://www.donotcall.gov/
Missouri had theirs prior to the national one: http://ago.mo.gov/nocalllaw/

-- Patrick B.

[LunchBox]

I do one of the following depending on how I feel.

1) Hang up.
2) Press what ever button to speak to them and play sounds, or listen to them say hello etc
3) Press whwat ever button and give the phone to the baby