What's With All The Solicitation Phone Calls?

[cappyjon431]

We've only been here for a little over a week and we've been inundated with "welcome wagon" phone calls offering free gift baskets in return for "complimentry" water testing, home security inspections, energy efficiency inspections, etc. All of these callers are trying to sell us a service that we don't want or need.

Perhaps the most troubling was the one that called asking about the status of our home security system. Perhaps I am being overly paranoid, but it seemed like they could have easily been fishing for information about whether or not we have an alarm system.

We have only had our new phone number here in TV for about a week, so I am curious as to where these solicitors get the information about who is moving into TV. Does TV provide this information to businesses in the area? If so, I think they need to re-think this practice.

We placed our new phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/), but it will not take effect for 30 days. In the meantime I have to make the decision whether to just screen our calls or to answer and say "we're not interested."

I just wanted to let new residents know that this is something they have to look out for when they arrive. Be safe, and be very careful who you allow entrance into your homes.

[graciegirl]

I think that anytime something becomes a public record, such as a sale of a home, that opportunistic folks will pass it around or pay for that information.

Whenever someone calls and ask about a security system, I always say we have one and hang up.

I think that you were wise Cappy to call the National No call number.

But for the rest, it is the American way to figure out a way to sell you stuff. I will expect a lot of knocks on the door of our new home next week when we move in from bug people and landscapers too.

[cappyjon431]

I think that anytime something becomes a public record, such as a sale of a home, that opportunistic folks will pass it around or pay for that information.

Whenever someone calls and ask about a security system, I always say we have one and hang up.

I think that you were wise Cappy to call the National No call number.

But for the rest, it is the American way to figure out a way to sell you stuff. I will expect a lot of knocks on the door of our new home next week when we move in from bug people and landscapers too.

Thanks gracie. I know the sale of a home is public record, but I still don't know where they are getting these phone numbers from. I just hope that TV is not the one supplying the numbers.

[Figmo Bohica]

Unless you have an unlisted number, all they have to do is look up the address and it will give the phone number. All this information is on the internet as public records. You would be surprised at what you can find on the internet in the way of personal information.

[Larry Wilson]

We had the same problem.
We bought an answering machine and put the message on it we were not interested in any sales pitch. Turned the ringer and volume down as low as we could and put it in the spare bedroom. Left it that way until the 30 days were up and we were on the Do Not Call list. Friends could still leave a message but we didn't have to answer the phone and put up with :cus:.
That was a while ago. Don't even know if they make answering machines like that anymore.

[cappyjon431]

Unless you have an unlisted number, all they have to do is look up the address and it will give the phone number. All this information is on the internet as public records. You would be surprised at what you can find on the internet in the way of personal information.

I guess I was just surprised how quickly the calls began--only a few days after closing and only one day after we received our new number from Comcast the barrage began. I'm still curious as to how these little mom and pop businesses in the area get our information so quickly. With so many home sales in TV it is interesting to ponder how these little businesses get such quick access to our info. I'm not one of those conspiracy theorists, but I would be very surprised if TV wasn't selling/providing this info to area businesses--otherwise it seems like a very labor intensive endeavor for these small businesses to be researching and calling so quickly.

[drdodge]

They are all trying to sell you something for a lot more money you can buy it fer from a reliable compang. The worst one is for water softners they will try to convince you that the water is not fit to drink and all the water in the villages has to pass Florida regulations. They will make you thinh they are representing Home Depot when they are not, always promising you a free gift. Best to get a telephone that has id and do not answer any 800 numbers

drd

[dfn8tly]

The national Do Not Call list is fine but you need to also be on the Florida Do Not Call List. Many businesses here either don't subscribe to the nationals list or simply ignore it. With the Florida list it's more difficult. Also, you may not be aware that if you have done any business with a company or purchased there products they are allowed to make marketing calls to you as a "valued customer".

I strongly believe that The Villages does not release any personal information. However, as soon as your sale is recorded with the County Assessor that is all public record and many companies hire people who's job is to find new consumers in the area.

I don't think you'll have a problem with people knocking on your door, such as landscapers and gardeners as that is strictly prohibited in TV.

Hanging up the phone works pretty well. Also, WELCOME and enjoy. It's not going to be as bad as you might be thinking.

[Doodlegirl]

you know what made me sort of angry, or confused, or betwixt and between?
The water softener company claiming they were also associated with Welcome Wagon and had gifts (!) for me. When I finally got them to stop calling, they never delivered a gift. I do remember the days of the
real 'Welcome Wagon', unsolicited gift left at the door or just hand delivered
with a welcome to the neighborhood. I sort of feel any company using
the "We are also the 'real' Welcome Wagon' for The Villages and will bring your gift when we come to test your water ought to rethink how they are using and abusing something that both makes you feel welcome, but smacks you on the hand. That said, five years ago when I moved to a new home
in South Florida I went through the same torture of water softener calls.
Probably good if the RE people would suggest to new owners to be leery
of these huge deluge of calls. Must be the same everywhere. Now that I think of it, there may no longer be the old Welcome Wagon. Geez, not too bright on my part!

[graciegirl]

The national Do Not Call list is fine but you need to also be on the Florida Do Not Call List. Many businesses here either don't subscribe to the nationals list or simply ignore it. With the Florida list it's more difficult. Also, you may not be aware that if you have done any business with a company or purchased there products they are allowed to make marketing calls to you as a "valued customer".

I strongly believe that The Villages does not release any personal information. However, as soon as your sale is recorded with the County Assessor that is all public record and many companies hire people who's job is to find new consumers in the area.

I don't think you'll have a problem with people knocking on your door, such as landscapers and gardeners as that is strictly prohibited in TV.

Hanging up the phone works pretty well. Also, WELCOME and enjoy. It's not going to be as bad as you might be thinking.

I agree.

[Pturner]

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I agree.

Yeah... but it would be mighty special if the Girls Posse could beat the crap out of them. :boxing2:

[buzzy]

Business is very competitive here. These vendors expect that gullible new owners will go with the first sales pitch they are exposed to. So they have to get in to see you in the first few days after you close or move in, or they have lost the business. They also try to get you to commit to 12 months of service, and pay up front. It't best for you to do some research here on TOTV, and ask your new neighbors what they have learned so far.

[pooh]

Caller ID is my friend.... ;) Don't recognize the number, I don't answer. If they really want me to call back, they'll leave a message.

[Virtual Geezer]

This may work for you. Get a recording of the phone companies message that you get when you dial a non working number. You know the message, "The number you have dialed is not a working number. Please check the number and dial again or ask your operator for assistance". Use this as you voice machine greeting but be sure to tell your friends so that they can leave a legitimate message after the beep. Wait about 10 or 15 seconds after the message to set the beep.

Do not try to make the mesage yourself and the voice will not be the same as the one used by the phone company and that will be a dead giveway.

I had a former co-worker use this for years before the Do Not Call system went into effect. Worked like a charm.

VG

[Snowbirdtobe]

When we purchased our home we received no phone calls because we don't have a home phone. We gave our cell phones to everyone that we wanted or needed to do business with and received no marketing calls.
So the information isn't coming from The Villages, Directv, water, banks, lawn service, pool service, bug guy, electric company, etc.
Someone mentioned Comcast in a post. They could make a buck by selling your number to a marketing outfit. Is everyone getting calls a Comcast customer?

[Doodlegirl]

Could be Comcast selling the custoer's numbers.

[uujudy]

We moved here right smack in the middle of the 2008 elections, and we delayed getting a Florida phone because I didn't want non-stop calls from the politicians.

Three years later we still don't have Florida phones. :laugh:
Our cell phone numbers are in The Villages phone book, but we seldom get marketing calls -- so CappyJohn, it doesn't seem as if The Villages is giving out the phone numbers. Maybe it's the phone company?

[2BNTV]

This may work for you. Get a recording of the phone companies message that you get when you dial a non working number. You know the message, "The number you have dialed is not a working number. Please check the number and dial again or ask your operator for assistance". Use this as you voice machine greeting but be sure to tell your friends so that they can leave a legitimate message after the beep. Wait about 10 or 15 seconds after the message to set the beep.

Do not try to make the mesage yourself and the voice will not be the same as the one used by the phone company and that will be a dead giveway.

I had a former co-worker use this for years before the Do Not Call system went into effect. Worked like a charm.

VG

A great idea. :bigbow:

[Virtual Geezer]

Here is a web site to help you out if you decided to set one up. http://www.payphone-directory.org/sounds.html You can left click on either of the icons to listen to a message and decide if it is right your use. To save any of the messages just right click on the icon and choose save as and then select what folder you want the file saved into.

Next you will have to either bring you answering machine over to your computer or the remote handset if using a cordless. You will need the device that contains the microphone to use as the input of the recording. Now play the recording off your computer and into the answering machine for your greeting message.You may have to play around with the volume settings on your computer or just move the mic further away from the speaker. After a few tries you will have a great greeting message to avoid unwanted calls.

Don't forget to tell your friends so that they will ignore the message and still leave you a message after the beep.

VG

[obxgal]

This may work for you. Get a recording of the phone companies message that you get when you dial a non working number. You know the message, "The number you have dialed is not a working number. Please check the number and dial again or ask your operator for assistance". Use this as you voice machine greeting but be sure to tell your friends so that they can leave a legitimate message after the beep. Wait about 10 or 15 seconds after the message to set the beep.

Do not try to make the mesage yourself and the voice will not be the same as the one used by the phone company and that will be a dead giveway.

I had a former co-worker use this for years before the Do Not Call system went into effect. Worked like a charm.

VG

The only thing I see where you have a problem with this message is when your doctor is verifying an appointment or one of your contractors.

[Ooper]

Caller ID is my friend.... ;) Don't recognize the number, I don't answer. If they really want me to call back, they'll leave a message.

I agree... the DO Not Call List just doesn't work. There are still all kinds of calls from political to charities that call every day. Caller ID is great and worth the extra few bucks it costs. If I don't recognize the number, I don't answer... period!

[Gerald]

When My wife and I purchased our home from the Villages last June. WE started to receive mail and calls from the same kind of people in NY. The only people that had our home phone and NY address PHONE is on the do not call list in NY. Was the Bank in the villages and the Village. WE limited the phone number to only a very few people who simple had to know. So the only way that our number and NY address could have been given out was either the bank or the Villages since our Village house does not have phone and we use our cell phones.

[tainsley]

When My wife and I purchased our home from the Villages last June. WE started to receive mail and calls from the same kind of people in NY. The only people that had our home phone and NY address PHONE is on the do not call list in NY. Was the Bank in the villages and the Village. WE limited the phone number to only a very few people who simple had to know. So the only way that our number and NY address could have been given out was either the bank or the Villages since our Village house does not have phone and we use our cell phones.

I don't think I will have a land line either...that way I control who calls me. With all the talk about unwanted solicitors, I think I will also put a "No Soliciting" sign on my door! :spoken:

[Uptown Girl]

Got this online:

"Cellular providers do allow certain information providers access to their phone number data bases but they have to pay for it. The fee is usually nominal and once you pay you will have unlimited access to their information for as long as you want. They will also give you access to a whole wealth of information in addition to that persons cell number that will include details about the cell phone owner, address history, who their provider is, and even whether or not their phone is still active."

P.S. As others have posted, try googling your name on the computer and see what happens. You may be very surprised.

[Bob45]

Here is a list of phone company messages. One of these might help take care of the unwanted phone call.
Bob
http://www.payphone-directory.org/sounds.html

[graciegirl]

I don't think I will have a land line either...that way I control who calls me. With all the talk about unwanted solicitors, I think I will also put a "No Soliciting" sign on my door! :spoken:
Well, think about it first.

In our old house in Hadley, the first day we were moving in, the doorbell rang a lot. It was landscapers and bug people who were just fellas looking for a job. We chose Earl that day to take care of our lawn, and he was a great, reliable and helpful person for the three years we lived there.

I think they saw the moving truck.

When I was at my friends house a couple of weeks ago in a new neighborhood, receiving deliveries of her furniture and other things, the young men who do lawns came and rang the doorbell. What they are, are decent people looking for employment. I am sure they saw the delivery trucks out in front.

We didn't get ONE call on cell phone, which is the phone we listed with The Villages. We didn't have a landline.