Consumer 6: Giving telemarketers the big brush-off

The telephone is a common tool for communication, but it's also a tool for telemarketing. Tulsa resident Patty Robertson was tired of the constant calls from telemarketers. She averaged 18 calls

Wednesday, December 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The telephone is a common tool for communication, but it's also a tool for telemarketing. Tulsa resident Patty Robertson was tired of the constant calls from telemarketers. She averaged 18 calls a week. "And sometimes the person on the line won't give an individual a chance to even say a whole lot,â€ she said. â€œI've asked a couple 'please don't call me again' and they said â€™oh yeah, we willâ€™ and I say no and they'll say â€˜yes we will.â€™ And I think we're not communicating here."

So Robertson was happy to test two products designed to eliminate telemarketing calls. The Easy Hang hooks to your phone. Just push a button, and it does the talking. "I'm sorry this number does no accept this type of call," says the productâ€™s voice.

The Don't Annoy Me Kit has a form to fill out. Then, the company contacts more than 1,500 telemarketers, telling them to take you off their list, and you stay off the list for ten years.

Robertson filled out all of the paperwork for the Don't Annoy Me kit, and she tested the Easy Hang-Up for about a month. Consumer 6 checked in with her this week to see how it worked. By the fourth week of her test, the calls stopped completely. "I don't enjoy hanging up on people or want to get rude in return, and it was just easier for me when I'd check my Caller ID,â€ she said. â€œI'd just push my button and get my message delivered." The message said, "Please regard this message as your notification to remove this number from your list. Thank you." "That plus the mailing has really made the difference and I would recommend it to anyone," she explained.

Easy Hang-up sells for less than $20 at many discount stores, and is also available on the Internet. The Don't Annoy Me Kit is $20, and is sold online or by mail order. To order the Easy Hang up, and/or the Don't Annoy Me Kit by mail, write to:

Consumer Net
P.O Box 44232
Washington, DC 20026.

Consumer Netâ€™s price for both products is $32.50.

Or go to consumer.net .