Archive through September 19, 2003
TV ClubHouse: archive: The return of The Return of the Gripe (ARCHIVE):
Archive through September 19, 2003
Crazydog | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 07:21 am     I despise telemarketers. I love it when they ask for someone who used to have your phone number, and when you tell them they have the wrong number, they say, "well, I'm sure YOU can help me tonight." I always say, "I don't think so. Please take this number off your list." and then hang up. One time a guy woke me up from a nap. He said he was with Fidelity, which I happen to have some money with. So I thought there was a problem and he said he wanted to ask a few quick questions. The guy kept me on the phone for nearly 15 minutes, asking all sorts of information about where I had money invested, how much, why I chose them. I figured out it was a call to take survey information on what I thought of Fidelity's funds. I started making up information, like saying I made "over $250,000 per year" and that I owned 4 cars. He even asked me what credit cards I had, what balance I carried, and where they were based out of. I said, I have no idea where Citibank is located. "Well, you get a statement each month, don't you? Why don't you go look at the address on the statement?" "Because I'm lying in bed and I don't feel like going downstairs to look it up." He started getting very belligerent, because I kept saying "I don't know" or "no opinion" to a lot of his questions. Finally I just screamed at him, "you woke me up, you said it would be short, and you've kept me on the phone for 15 minutes." He wouldn't hang up because I suppose if he doesn't finish the survey then he doesn't get the credit/money for an uncompleted survey. I let him finish and he went into his closing schpiel during which I hung up on him. I live in Illinois, and I know they are considering changing the laws to decrease telemarketing calls. Not sure when it is going into effect. I've been getting a lot of "Nova Scotia call" listings on my Caller ID lately. |
Crazydog | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 07:23 am     LOL Ryn. I think the paper here in town had people write in to their internet site and say how they respond to telemarketers. One guy said he automatically answers all "unavailable number" calls with "City Morgue". |
Ryn | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 07:27 am     Just did a lil research and one site reports that 26 states have some form of a no-call list. Link --> AARP Bulletin Consumer Alert State-by-State List of No-Call Registration Info List of every state with info on how to get yourself removed (dated 8-2002). |
Kaili | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:10 am     Crazydog- I was getting a lot of Nova Scotia calls too! I've never answered them though and I sure didn't call the number on there to find out who it was. |
Crossfire | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:34 am     Nova Scotia has in the last few years, enjoyed a major influx of 'technology' (read mostly as a phat phone line) investment and has become a hot bed for call center operations. It is part of a plan to deal with huge unemployment problems and a move to a services industry to deal with the failure of traditional employment opportunities in the region. Expect more calls. |
Tess | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:38 am     MN has a no-call list that went into effect Jan 1, 2003. The companies have until the 31st to buy the list so the calls haven't stopped entirely but it's much better than it was. There are, unfortunately, a few loop-holes in the law which will allow some calls to seep through but I never have a problem just hanging up on salespeople. I like Ryn's approach better, though. |
Tess | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:41 am     Looking back at Kaili's post, I should mention that we also have available here a type of caller id that requires the caller to enter a valid phone number to pass the security screen. We never get unavailable on our caller id any longer. Life is good. |
Ryn | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:43 am     We have a few loop-holes too tess, Newspapers (I think) and Charities that do not pay people to call. The only calls I can recall have been from Discover Card (which I have) asking me if I want to add options. I simply say no. But if they keep it up I might just get rid of my Discover Card. |
Tess | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 08:50 am     Companies with which you have previously done business slip through one of our loop-holes as do companies who claim they are not planning on selling to you directly during that particular call. They ask permission to call you back or send a sales person to you. Those are the people I think should get your "special" treatment. I just tell callers I'm adding them to MY "list" of people breaking the law and it's amazing how fast they can hang up a phone. |
Kaili | Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:57 am     Recently the calls changed from Unavailable to Out-of-Area. I don't know if that makes a difference but I think one way for them to get through is to change how they come up on Caller iD. I have heard of the Unavailable blocker, but I wonder if that also blocks Out Of Area. I know sometimes when my dad calls it says Arizona Call and sometimes it gives his number. Either way, the no-call list is good. I know we have to renew every year (as if anyone will suddenly miss the calls!!). I remember one calling me at 8:57 and I reminded him they cannot call after 9. He pointed out that it wasn't 9 yet. Well, hello- after his schpeel it would have been! |
Hippyt | Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 03:45 pm     OK,I have a BIG gripe today! My husband gave away my car!Let me explain,this was an 89 Tercel,it wasn't running,and it looks like crud. But,it was my first new car,I bought it off the showroom floor. I paid for it,and I haved driven it.Sooooo,it's been sitting in our driveway for six months,and had turned into a money pit.I come home from the store today,and the car has been moved a little. I asked what was up,and Hubby informs me he has given it to our neighbor!?!? Does anyone see a probem with this other than me?I went into freak out mode!And,I wasn't mad because he was giving the car away. I was angry because he never even asked me!Anyway,we ended up taking my stereo out,and giving the car to my neighbor,he's going to use the parts. I shed a few tears,my poor delapidated car is gone!That husband of mine is going to pay!I am putting him through the wringer! My new nickname for him is Dorf on Marital Relationships! |
Moondance | Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 03:49 pm     I don't blame you Hippy...definitely a 2some decision! Plus it was your FIRST biggie car etc...He is in the DORF doghouse! {{{Hippy}}} |
Rogue | Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 03:50 pm     (((Hippyt))), I'm sorry to hear that. I'm here if ya need a hug. Me |
Juju2bigdog | Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 08:26 pm     Heezy! Utter dorfdom, hippyt! Grief! |
Pamy | Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 11:38 pm     {{HIPPY, Hippy's car}}} That does suck! The worst part is you are going to have to see it being demolished! Does your Dh(d doesn't mean dear today)realize why he is in the doghouse?? Make him pay. I say you give away his tv right before the superbowl tomarrow! |
Hippyt | Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 02:22 pm     LOL Pamy! Now that would definitely make an impression on him! |
Crossfire | Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:12 pm     Tick me off. The fools televising the superbowl cut to a commercial instead of staying with the flyby just after the national anthem. I think I saw like .000000001 seconds of it, just enough to tick me off. @$%#!% |
Fruitbat | Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 03:19 pm     Righteousness irritates me. Who are any of us to tell another how to behave or be, or think. |
Llkoolaid | Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 04:21 pm     Guess why you guys are getting lots of calls from Nova Scotia, American's companies are putting call centres in the areas where there is extremely high un employment. They are paying these people who are very greatful for any work, low wages to harrass you with telemarketing. There is one in our town that employs several hundred people. |
Mygetaway | Friday, March 21, 2003 - 12:22 am     I was on my way to bed when I saw the new commercial for Vern Fonk insurance. (local thing) Since the commercial thread is gone, I'm going to complain here. This guy comes up with some pretty *stupid* ideas, usually some kind of a take off of current events. Tonight I got a glimpse of his newest one that has Osama on a game show panel answering questions about who to call if you have a bad driving record. He answers wrong, and then a boulder comes down on his head, and smashes him. Then the "host" of the game show says the next contestant is on his way out, and they show a guy who is supposed to look like Saddam waiting in the wings. I don't know, it just struck me as being in extra poor taste at this particular time. I just had to "vent" this out to someone..LOL Here is the actor who plays Vern on the commercials.
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Whoami | Friday, March 21, 2003 - 01:35 am     The Critiquing Commercials thread is alive and well. It's just hiding out in the General Discussions Folder! And you're right, that commercial is in very poor taste! |
Mygetaway | Friday, March 21, 2003 - 06:51 am     Thanks Who.. I looked, but only found the archives of it. Of course, I was on my way to bed, so I was pretty tired. I'm only up now cuz DH just came home from the new job, and I can't get settled yet. |
Whoami | Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 11:37 am     Well poo, I went looking for the Critiquing Commercials thread, and it's gone now. I found it in Archives but (*sniff*) I was hoping to revive it with a post I was thinking of. and secretly hoping it would become a candidate for the CC folder. |
Gigglesalot | Friday, September 19, 2003 - 11:24 am     I see by the dates that nobody has had a gripe in awhile – yeah. I do have something to say that I don’t want to come off as being mean but….I do wonder why there are so many tvch members that belittle each others thoughts and statements and therefore feelings by posting negative comments? I know the board policy is to not post negative comments about club members – which I totally agree with, but some of the responses to posts have been so demeaning to others even without a pointed finger at a particular member. I am relatively new to posting on the boards and have had some very nice people respond to my posts but also have had some people post responses that make me feel like I should be three inches tall and so stupid to have posted at all. Why is that kind of response necessary? Has anyone else noted the negative comments flowing freely on the boards? I know that we’re all free to say what we like (to a point - thanks to moderation of language, etc) and I know there is no way I would want further censoring, but why are so many people negative? When I first found this board I was delighted to find a place to learn about others and to be able to share of myself but have since been hesitant to post anything due to the general negativity. This is turning into a much longer post than I originally planned but I am curious if anyone else has noticed this trend and is upset about it as well. |
Sawheel17 | Friday, September 19, 2003 - 11:53 am     Gigglesalot, Can we say cramps, menopause? j/k The mods and people here are wonderful. They do the best they can. Not everyone agrees with everything that is said. So like in life, everyone has an opinion. Direct attacks are not tolerable here! Usually, the mods will delete negative posts as soon as they see them. I don't know the circumstance you are talking about but I hope it hasn't happened to you. Hey, I'm still here and I can screw up a thread in a NY minute. My Gripe today is"I like your Name better than mine! {{Gigglesalot}} |
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