Robo-calls - PITA
 

Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Just an idea. A bad idea..

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Just an idea. A bad idea..

--Vic

Sounds like a son problem. 8)

My land line phone is connected to my PC which is configured to answer the
phone in FAX mode after one ring.

We only have the land line for connection to satellite receivers and making
*long* phone calls that would burn excessive cell minutes. You know the
kind, customer *no* service.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:20:43 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:

We only have the land line for connection to satellite receivers and making
*long* phone calls that would burn excessive cell minutes. You know the
kind, customer *no* service.

Not really, but I've thought of getting something cheaper than the
cost of the phone part of my bundled phone/TV/net Comcast, which
is up to $153 a month with basic cable TV and basic phone.
Think the phone part is over 40 bucks.
The bundle is easy, so inertia keeps me with it.
But I always look at expenses critically, and I think I can do better.
Like you, I need the land line for the long calls.
My wife calls Europe weekly to talk to family and spends a couple
hours on the phone.
Doesn't cost much because she uses a phone card which is 5 bucks for 6
hours.
Any recommendation for a cheap land line?

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Just an idea. A bad idea..

--Vic


We haven't had an actual "robocall" political call since leaving
Virginia five years ago. We do get some "live" political calls, though.
Nothing really offensive yet this cycle. Last time, though, we had a
real nutcase - a Constitution Party jesusfreak - running against our
incumbent congressman, and the guy's six supporters made some outrageous
and offensive calls to try to drum up support.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:20:43 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:
We only have the land line for connection to satellite receivers and making
*long* phone calls that would burn excessive cell minutes. You know the
kind, customer *no* service.

Not really, but I've thought of getting something cheaper than the
cost of the phone part of my bundled phone/TV/net Comcast, which
is up to $153 a month with basic cable TV and basic phone.
Think the phone part is over 40 bucks.
The bundle is easy, so inertia keeps me with it.
But I always look at expenses critically, and I think I can do better.
Like you, I need the land line for the long calls.
My wife calls Europe weekly to talk to family and spends a couple
hours on the phone.
Doesn't cost much because she uses a phone card which is 5 bucks for 6
hours.
Any recommendation for a cheap land line?

--Vic


If you had an email posted, I'd tell you how I got my comcast
cable/internet bill lowered by about $80 a month with increased service.

:)

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 6:08*am, Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. *He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. *Just an idea. *A bad idea..

--Vic

I get Robo- calles almost dailey for someone wanting to hook up DISH
Network and also notices that I'm paying too high of interest rate on
a credit card I dont' even own.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:40:00 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Any recommendation for a cheap land line?


www.skype.com

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:51:21 -0400, Boater
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:20:43 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:
We only have the land line for connection to satellite receivers and making
*long* phone calls that would burn excessive cell minutes. You know the
kind, customer *no* service.

Not really, but I've thought of getting something cheaper than the
cost of the phone part of my bundled phone/TV/net Comcast, which
is up to $153 a month with basic cable TV and basic phone.
Think the phone part is over 40 bucks.
The bundle is easy, so inertia keeps me with it.
But I always look at expenses critically, and I think I can do better.
Like you, I need the land line for the long calls.
My wife calls Europe weekly to talk to family and spends a couple
hours on the phone.
Doesn't cost much because she uses a phone card which is 5 bucks for 6
hours.
Any recommendation for a cheap land line?

--Vic


If you had an email posted, I'd tell you how I got my comcast
cable/internet bill lowered by about $80 a month with increased service.

:)

Shoot.
I use a real e-mail addy.
Just don't look at it unless I have reason or occasionally delete the
spam that's piles up.
I'll look.

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 6:46*am, Boater wrote:
Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. *He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. *Just an idea. *A bad idea..

--Vic

We haven't had an actual "robocall" political call since leaving
Virginia five years ago. We do get some "live" political calls, though.
Nothing really offensive yet this cycle. Last time, though, we had a
real nutcase - a Constitution Party jesusfreak - running against our
incumbent congressman, and the guy's six supporters made some outrageous
and offensive calls to try to drum up support.

Occasionally I'll still get politi-bot calls, but ot often.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

Tim wrote:
On Oct 23, 6:08 am, Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Just an idea. A bad idea..

--Vic

I get Robo- calles almost dailey for someone wanting to hook up DISH
Network and also notices that I'm paying too high of interest rate on
a credit card I dont' even own.


Ahh. Dish Network. I had to file a complaint with the State of Maryland
about their damned robocalls.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:56:31 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Oct 23, 6:08Â*am, Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. Â*He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Â*Just an idea. Â*A bad idea..

--Vic

I get Robo- calles almost dailey for someone wanting to hook up DISH
Network and also notices that I'm paying too high of interest rate on
a credit card I dont' even own.

If that bothers you, you should sign up on that "don't call" list.
The gov started it a few years ago. I signed up and it cut spam calls
by 90%. Political calls and charities are exempt I think.
So are those you do business with, but you can tell them to leave you
alone and they listen.
Easy to do.
https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:57:36 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:40:00 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Any recommendation for a cheap land line?


www.skype.com

Okay, I'll get off my ass and check it out.
Maybe get cheaper DSL too and just use Comcast for cable.
Might save about 80 bucks a month.
Which is 960 bucks a year.
Which can buy a lot of bait and beer.
Or for me, easily keep me in cars.

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. Just an idea. A bad idea..

--Vic

I've been getting them lately from some company flogging 'low interest'
credit cards.
This even though I signed up for the 'do not call/harass' program they
finally started here. Guess I'll have to report the incoming phone number
to the authorities.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 8:05*am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:56:31 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Oct 23, 6:08*am, Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. *He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. *Just an idea. *A bad idea..

--Vic

I get Robo- calles almost dailey for someone wanting to hook up DISH
Network *and also notices that I'm paying too high of interest rate on
a credit card I dont' even own.

If that bothers you, you should sign up on that "don't call" list.
The gov started it a few years ago. *I signed up and it cut spam calls
by 90%. *Political calls and charities are exempt I think.
So are those you do business with, but you can tell them to leave you
alone and they listen.
Easy to do.https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx

--Vic

Really, we did the same thing and get virtually no robocalls.. Harry
didn't google that yet so he didn't know....

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 7:40*am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:20:43 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:

We only have the land line for connection to satellite receivers and making
*long* phone calls that would burn excessive cell minutes. *You know the
kind, customer *no* service.

Not really, but I've thought of getting something cheaper than the
cost of the phone part of my bundled phone/TV/net Comcast, which
is up to $153 a month with basic cable TV and basic phone.
Think the phone part is over 40 bucks.
The bundle is easy, so inertia keeps me with it.
But I always look at expenses critically, and I think I can do better.
Like you, I need the land line for the long calls.
My wife calls Europe weekly to talk to family and spends a couple
hours on the phone. *
Doesn't cost much because she uses a phone card which is 5 bucks for 6
hours.
Any recommendation for a cheap land line?

--Vic *

skype.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 8:09*am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:57:36 -0400, Wayne.B

wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:40:00 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Any recommendation for a cheap land line?

www.skype.com

Okay, I'll get off my ass and check it out.
Maybe get cheaper DSL too and just use Comcast for cable.
Might save about 80 bucks a month.
Which is 960 bucks a year.
Which can buy a lot of bait and beer.
Or for me, easily keep me in cars.

--Vic

Around these parts, full HD programming, high speed internet and phone
with Comcast is about $125 month. There phone system rocks, too!

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Oct 23, 7:05*am, Vic Smith wrote:
On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:56:31 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

On Oct 23, 6:08*am, Vic Smith wrote:
Here in Illinois I get one of these about once a month.
Blockbuster telling me rented DVD's are overdue.
One of my kid's BB account. *He didn't change the phone number when he
moved out.
Anybody else getting robo-calls?
Should Hatteras Boats do robo-calls when they have a sale?
Probably won't work. *Just an idea. *A bad idea..

--Vic

I get Robo- calles almost dailey for someone wanting to hook up DISH
Network *and also notices that I'm paying too high of interest rate on
a credit card I dont' even own.

If that bothers you, you should sign up on that "don't call" list.
The gov started it a few years ago. *I signed up and it cut spam calls
by 90%. *Political calls and charities are exempt I think.
So are those you do business with, but you can tell them to leave you
alone and they listen.
Easy to do.https://www.donotcall.gov/register/reg.aspx

--Vic

That's just it, Vic. I AM registered witht he DoNotCall list, and I
make sure it's updated yearly. but they keep hammering.

I may have to do what Harry suggested and file a complaint.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:00:05 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:



That's just it, Vic. I AM registered witht he DoNotCall list, and I
make sure it's updated yearly. but they keep hammering.

Funny how it seems to work better for some.
I've heard others say it didn't work as good for them as it has for
me.
You shouldn't have to update. I never have.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm
Maybe the updating confused the system?

I may have to do what Harry suggested and file a complaint.

Good idea. Looks pretty easy to do on the site.

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:09:09 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Okay, I'll get off my ass and check it out.
Maybe get cheaper DSL too and just use Comcast for cable.

I dislike Comcast also but their internet connections are
substantially faster than most DSL lines. We did replace Comcast's TV
service with a Dish Networks satellite dish. It works well, lots of
channels, and also goes on the boat with minimal extra cost.

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:26:40 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:09:09 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Okay, I'll get off my ass and check it out.
Maybe get cheaper DSL too and just use Comcast for cable.

I dislike Comcast also but their internet connections are
substantially faster than most DSL lines. We did replace Comcast's TV
service with a Dish Networks satellite dish. It works well, lots of
channels, and also goes on the boat with minimal extra cost.

Skype looks pretty good for me.
Last time I priced dish TV here it didn't have much price advantage.
I'm going to look at it again.
If DSL pricing is attractive here, I'll put up with slower speed.
After all, I managed to survive with dial-up.
So maybe youtube won't be as fun.
Oh yeah. Comcast, I'm coming after you.
Here's what I'm paying here north of Chicago.
Previous Balance $ 151.50
Payment(s) $-151.50
Comcast Cable Television $ 54.99
Comcast High Speed Internet $ 45.95
Comcast Digital Voice $ 47.56
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees $ 4.12
Payment Due Date 10/24/08 $ 152.62

The *******s have moved about 6 channels to a higher cost package, and
though the base fee for the phone is $39 the fees goose it up.
Think there's a 5 buck bundle discount in there. Big whoop.

I'm not gonna take it anymore!!!

--Vic

Robo-calls - PITA
 

On Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:08:39 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:



The *******s have moved about 6 channels to a higher cost package, and
though the base fee for the phone is $39 the fees goose it up.
Think there's a 5 buck bundle discount in there. Big whoop.

I'm not gonna take it anymore!!!

And I just remembered they will stop providing the "free" usenet feed
from Giganews, so the internet piece lost about 8 bucks of value.

--Vic