Right way and wrong way

I was surprised to read the remark in an article ( Connexion, December issue ) that “…telephone sales companies should be allowed to exercise their right to prospect for business. If it was outlawed, people who work in call centres would lose jobs”.

Such companies do not have any such “right”.

Our house deeds include the phrase that it provides the “right” for us to occupy it for “quiet enjoyment”. This is not compatible with the disturbing and intrusive activities of telephone sales companies.

Such calls are far too numerous – yesterday we had 19 in a 10-hour period. This is ridiculous and indicates an industry out of control. The companies seem in some cases to fail to train their sales callers.

A British neighbour was recently told to “go home – we don’t want you foreigners here” when they said (politely) that they did not want any further calls.

If telephone sales people do not want to lose their jobs, it is more likely to happen if they are rude and insulting.

There can be little doubt that telephone sales companies are misusing their position and are creating considerable upset and inconvenience.

It needs to be remembered by legislators that we, on the receiving end, have “rights” and they are being abused.

Patrick STURGES, Nouvelle Aquitaine

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