Got a call from the DM Rag...

kentkel · 06-08-2007, 01:32 PM

It was a telemarketer asking me to subscribe. After refusing, they asked me if there was a reason why. I said that it was mostly because the sports section is heavily biased in favor of the Hawkeyes. I told them that if there was a balanced approach taken concerning the major universities, I'd possibly consider being a subscriber. The only thing I wish that I'd added was that I'd never consider subscribing as long as Keeler is employed by the paper. Anyone else have a similar call made to them? How did you respond?

SuperCy · 06-08-2007, 01:36 PM

Just wait. It doesn't matter what you tell them. They'll be back.
I told them that it was provided my employer. It's not. THey asked about Sunday. I said that if there was something that I wanted to read then I'd go out and get it or read it online.

Well, a couple months later I started getting the calls again. They just don't quit.

bostinelosd · 06-08-2007, 01:40 PM

Tell them you cant read or that you have an ink allergy.

DaddyMac · 06-08-2007, 01:42 PM

I cancelled my Sunday only subscription a few weeks ago.

They instituted a new billing policy which made my bill jump a few bucks - without informing anybody. The lady said they sent out a letter, which I got a few days later. But the fact they billed more THEN informed, set me off pretty well. Truth be known, I was looking for any excuse to cancel the subscription

She asked if I was cancelling just because of the billing issue, and I told her primarily. But also because I think it's a flat-out terrible product.

That pretty much ended the conversation right there.

Now I'm sure they'll be calling sometime down the road, but there's probably no easier way to get off the phone than by just telling them that they suck.

CY ST8T · 06-08-2007, 02:16 PM

I hated the Register before and now that I have tried there classified ads to sell my Mountaineer, I like them even less. Not one thing has been straight on it at all and other people I know have had the same damn experiences. They don't know how to run a classified department for sure!

LindenCy · 06-08-2007, 02:50 PM

I'm sure people mention this from time to time, but I really miss the Big Peach.

CyGal · 06-08-2007, 02:59 PM

If you want them to stop calling you, tell them to take you off of their list. I believe they are required to do so, as are other telemarketers.

bmuff · 06-08-2007, 03:28 PM

It's not only biased, it's just a bad sports section. Try comparing to the Omaha World Herald. That paper has more articles on UNL sports than the Register has on ISU/iowa/UNI combined. Think about all of the athletes on those FB teams...if you had a small article on each projected starter, that would take up most of the summer. And that doesn't include newcomers, coaches, ADs, etc. Really, pretty pathetic effort on their part.

jdoggivjc · 06-08-2007, 03:52 PM

There's also something called the "National Do Not Call Registry." Sign up for that, then wait for the Rag to call again. Tell them that you are on this registry, and unless they want a $10,000 fine they best not call you again. That'll get them to leave you alone

jdoggivjc · 06-08-2007, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

That got shot down by lobbyists for the telemarketing industry and is now just "voluntary"

really - i never heard that. maybe that explains the long-distance calls and the 800 numbers that i've been ignoring lately

DaddyMac · 06-08-2007, 04:05 PM

No, I was wrong blew away my first post.

It was challenged early on and kind of "Suspended". But it looks like the Supreme Court upheld it's validity about 6 months later and it looks like it's back in full force. I missed that.

There's something similar that's voluntary (I work with our phone list at work and contact rules) but it's more for business to business contact. Thought it was all the same, but I guess it isn't - my bad.

However, people need to understand the exclusions that apply to the list - namely gov't orgs (campaigns and polls), not-for-profits and "established business relationships" which is a very interpretive label.

besserheimerphat · 06-08-2007, 09:02 PM

We are still doing the Sunday only subscription, mainly for diaper and formula coupons. After our rabbit died a few months ago, I asked my wife if we should continue the subscription since we didn't need cage liner anymore. Usually I just flip through the sports, comics, classifieds and automotive sections.

Kyle · 06-08-2007, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

However, people need to understand the exclusions that apply to the list - namely gov't orgs (campaigns and polls), not-for-profits and "established business relationships" which is a very interpretive label.

I've had my number on it for a while and have been relatively pleased. However, the fricking political calls are rather annoying. My typical response when people ask who I would vote for has become "Whoever doesn't call me."

C.John · 06-08-2007, 09:46 PM

We had a call from Ontario Canada the other night. After looking up the number at whocalled.us I found out that it was a Canadian telemarketing firm that various American companies use. Since the telemarketing firm is originating from Canada, they are able to circumvent the Do Not Call lists and the FTC is unable to fine them.

So when it comes to the possible future of telemarketing, SouthPark has it right, we should just "Blame Canada".

JHudd · 06-09-2007, 01:28 AM

Kinda off topic but the Star Trib here in MN tries to raise our rates after 13 weeks or so for a 7 day. So we call and try to just get weekends/cancel and they always offer us a deal that ends up cheaper than we were getting to begin with. It is similar to my yearly to Newsweek for $15 for 52 issues. It is all about them being able to sell advertisers numbers. While these two subs may scream liberal, I can assure you that they are my get the "other" side reading.

I am a strong believer in hearing the issue from all sides before making a decision.

I haven't lived in Iowa in a few years, when did the Peach disappear?