In what could be called Telemarketing Wars Episode 2, Dave Barry responds to the huge response he got from giving the phone and e-mail addresses of the top company responsible for telemarketing, the American Teleservices Association.

Not only is it funny, but he makes several good points and even gives the NEW phone # and URL for the ATA, so American consumers can strike back once again.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiheral...rry/6934584.htm


"...It turned out that a lot of you were eager to call up the telemarketing industry. Thousands and thousands of you called the ATA. I found out about this when I saw an article in a direct-marketing newspaper, the DM News, which quoted the executive director of the ATA, Tim Searcy. Here's an excerpt from the article:

''The ATA received no warning about the article from Barry or anyone connected with him,'' Searcy said. ``. . . the Barry column has had harmful consequences for the ATA. An ATA staffer has spent about five hours a day for the past six days monitoring the voice mail and clearing out messages.''

That's correct: The ATA received NO WARNING that it was going to get unwanted calls! Not only that, but these unwanted calls were an INCONVENIENCE for the ATA, and WASTED THE ATA'S TIME!

I just hope nobody interrupted the ATA's dinner." :D

Here is the direct link to that article. When I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, I would always eagerly read his stuff. Dave Barry is a real riot.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/columnists/dave_barry/6649728.htm

Great article. Heaven forbid we distrurb the ATA with unwanted phone calls.

The new phone # however for the ATA is given in his latest article. Anyway, to save people the trouble: (317) 816-9336.

But they may not answer. I called today and let it ring, about 20+ times. :D

I used my cell phone since I'm not charged for long distance #s.

Maybe the reason they didn't answer is that they are tired of all of those telephone calls from complete strangers.

Aren't those strangers so rude?! People who call and call and call, especially when you have more important things to do?