[LandofLincoln]

I did have the zapper for the last year but shut it off in late September, but it was turned back on as of five minutes ago. Any thoughts?

[JohnGalt]

Did you expect anything better from the federalis?

[EggsAckley]

I was suspicious of the list from the giddyap. I purposely did not sign up for it, but bought the zapper instead. I only need to turn the zapper on for a week or so, and then suddenly the calls cease.

I don't trust that list for one second. Sorry you got duped by them. Let's hope somebody looks into this farce and exposes the racket that it is.

[netmilsmom]

Me too!
My sister was employed for a short time by a telemarketing company. What is happening now is companies have piggybacked with charities (which slipped into the loophole). You will get a pitch for a charity then sold something after. Or so I heard.

[justlurking]

I think you inadvertantly established a "business relationship" with too many people. Since they can't cold-call anymore, they are instead focusing on "existing relationships".

I'm on both the national and state do-not-call lists. I haven't had a telemarketing call in months.

[CJ Wolf]

I did notice a dramatic decrease in calls. However I never took the zapper off.

[discostu]

Well yes it is sold to the telemarketers, that's how they're supposed to know not to call you. If they aren't somebody you did business with in the last six months they aren't supposed to be caling you (people you do business with are exempt) so get all their information and file a complaint, violations are 11 grand per complaint.

The DNC list has worked well in my household, almost no calls since it started. The three places that were driving me nuts with weekly (and one iwth multiple calls per week) calls have gone away completely. But I'm also ready and prepared to file complaints on violators, laws are only as good as their enforcement.

[Pokey78]

Go to http://www.ftc.gov and file a complaint.

I did that just this past weekend.

[The Clemson Tiger]

I haven't had a single call since the thing started - not one. I love it!

[HAL9000]

I am starting to believe that the National Do Not Call list was sold to the telemarketing community.

That is how the system works. The telemarketers purchase the Do Not Call list from the FTC, and those fees are used to fund the program.

The number of unsolicited calls here have dropped dramatically. You should consider filing a complaint against the telemarketers who are calling you.

There is another new rule, but I'm not sure if it has taken effect yet - telemarketers are required to display accurate caller ID information.

[Wheee The People]

My calls have dropped from 20 per month to 3 a month. I like it!

[Catphish]

This list has worked wonders in my home. I use to get them on an almost daily basis. Now I rarely recieve calls except occasionaly from a charitable orginization.

[Poser]

I now receive about 4 calls a week. I used to receive 4 calls a day. It's working.

When I get a call from a so-called non-profit organization, I say, "please take me off the list" and they do.

It's time for a "do not spam" list.

[LadyPilgrim]

I don't know about anyone else, but we've gotten on the State and the Federal 'Do Not Call Lists' and I'm not getting any sales calls. I love it!

[Orangedog]

There is another loophole. The DNC list only applies to marketers calling outside your state. Telemarketers inside your state can still pester you unless your state has it's own DNC list.

[EUPHORIC]

The DNC list is not being distributed fact is that the telemarketers are just using what they think are loopholes. Get info on the callers and report 'em! Heck with the provisions for us to start legal action against offending telemarketers this might just turn into a nice revenue stream for you!!!

[Prime Choice]

I just use an answering machine that starts with the words, "Do not call this number again if you are a telemarketer. Leave a message otherwise." Seems to work pretty well.

Never bothered with the national registry. I know what sort of security practices the U.S. government has. I wouldn't trust my refuse to its care.

[tiamat]

I signed us up for it, and there was a frenzy of calls right before the end-date.

Then.....

Blissful silence.

I like it!

Tia

[the Real fifi]

The list works for me. Get the name of the company (and , if you can, their phone number). Tell them you are on the don't call list, and you will report them . And do that!

[ironmaidenPR2717]

To our household, caller ID is invaluable. The message on our answering machine states: "Hi, this is ###. You've reached our answering machine for one of 3 reasons: one, we're not home; two, we're trying to locate the cordless phone; or three, we don't recognize your name or phone number. But if you're not trying to sell us something, we'd really like you to leave a message so we can either pick up or call you back later. Thank you, buh bye". Caller ID lets me know by the second ring who's calling. If it reads "unknown", I may have to ignore a few rings or listen to my own message, but telemarketers and/or their computerized dialing systems usually hang up before my message is done.

[KarlInOhio]

My sales call volume has dropped to almost nothing. Before the do not call list I would have about 5-6 calls listed on my caller ID (almost always "Out of area") every day when I got home, and a few more I ignored in the evening. Now I might get 1 unlisted call every couple of days. It might be safe to answer the phone without checking caller ID again.