Do Not Call List

Canada's new 'Do Not Call' list doesn't appear to be doing what it is supposed to as reported by Global TV on January 14th, 2009. Surprise, surprise.

I did register my phone on this list and I do think that my calls have gone down.

However, as a general rule what we follow in our household. We just don't answer any calls that show 'Unknown Name' or 'Unknown Number' unless we recognize the number only. I realize that a lot of people don't list their cell phones when they call, but if they call me they just very may end up with my message manager. If they leave a message I'll give them a call back, but don't expect me to answer the call. As a matter of fact you can have SaskTel block your telephone for you and the caller with 'Unknown Name/Number' gets a recording stating that the caller doesn't answer calls with unknown details. You need at least a number to get through. Now some of the telemarketers are using bogus numbers to get through to this setting. That's why I just don't answer the darn things unless I recognize the number. If you are a friend or acquaintance and you only show a number you'd better hope I have a good memory. The wife answers absolutely zero of these calls as well.

The same goes for '800' numbers or numbers with area codes that we don't normally get calls from (ie any code other than 306). We just don't answer the phone and 3 rings later the caller gets our message manager. They can then leave a message. If the caller doesn't leave a message, I just delete the call and forget about it. If there is a message and we are at home, I'll listen to the message and if warranted, return the call. No message, no talk to me.

I was getting calls from an 800 number that looked like it was from Sears (according to a look up on the Internet). I do deal with Sears, however, they showed 'Unknown Name' so we didn't answer the call as it could very well be just a telemarketer. The same number called almost every day for a couple weeks and not once did they leave a message. Now we seldom receive calls from this number any longer. My thinking is that any reputable company/business would want to advertise their name. If they don't, then don't expect me to answer on spec.

Now whether it is just a coincidence that our calls have decreased after the implementation of the 'Do Not Call List' or our refusal to answer these unknown calls; all I know is that the number and frequency of the calls have drastically declined and that is a good thing :)