The American Teleservices Association, a telemarketing industry group, isn’t terribly happy with Dave Barry. Seems that Barry published the group’s telephone number in his column a week or two back, with a suggestion that people call and “tell them what you think. … I’m sure they’d love to hear your constitutionally protected views!”
Thousands of Barry’s readers have done as they were told, forcing the association to stop answering its phones. Callers now hear a recording, which says that because of “overwhelming positive response to recent media events, we are unable to take your call at this time.”
… snicker …
“It’s difficult not to see some malice in Mr. Barry’s intent,” said Tim Searcy, executive director of the ATA, who said the added calls will be costly to his group because of toll charges and staffing issues.
Must … resist … laughing out loud … or mentioning … Caller ID I had to purchase … just for this reason …
Barry hardly sounded apologetic. “I feel just terrible, especially if they were eating or anything,” he said. “They have phones like the rest of us have phones. Their attitude seems to be if you have a phone, people are allowed to call you.”
Indeed.
Perhaps they should look into an unlisted number. Or individually ask each person who calls not to call back again. I hear that works …
Okay, pardon me while I go off and collapse in the corner, tears streaming down my face, chortles echoing out into the office space beyond …
(via GeekPress)
Yep. Too funny.
Almost makes me want to call them and ask for a directory of members, so I could call all of them,
Ha!