Let the soliciting begin!

[Happinow]

Here's something I didn't know. I just got a call from a friendly voice on my phone who was congratulating me on my new home. (yea, right) She wanted to let me know that Comcast would be there for me to install my cable. NOT!!! After learning about the discontentment of you all on here about their service, I think I'll pass on this offer.

Did anyone else have people call to solicit their business?? I'm not very happy that my phone number was given out to outside companies.

[lightworker888]

from various companies. In Canada we have a do not call list that I guess is somewhat effective. We get many more calls in Florida than in Canada and I am wondering what the rules are in the US about telephone solicitation. Seems like its alot of window companies and household services and newspapers. Do they use the phone book?

LW888

[jsw14]

Bewear, our phone rang-off-the-hook for a month after we moved in.....
http://i550.photobucket.com/albums/ii417/gotitbad2420/Nascar%20Cards/SHR/suspicious.gif

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Wonder how Comcast got your phone number, happinow? We chose to list ours in the TV phone book but that didn't happen til we had our closing. And we didn't get a single solitary call about anything afterwards! Maybe it had something to do with our TV home being a resale. Or maybe nobody likes me....... :cryin2:

Bill :)

[skyguy79]

We must be lucky as we have never received a single call on the cells or the house phone from any TV services looking for business! http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/forum/images/smilies/fingers%20crossed.gif

[BostonCelt]

Here's something I didn't know. I just got a call from a friendly voice on my phone who was congratulating me on my new home. (yea, right) She wanted to let me know that Comcast would be there for me to install my cable. NOT!!! After learning about the discontentment of you all on here about their service, I think I'll pass on this offer.

Did anyone else have people call to solicit their business?? I'm not very happy that my phone number was given out to outside companies.

I'm betting the call was from ClearLink Communication. They're here at TV and, in fact, part of The Village people and do the installation for Comcast. I'll bet also you have a letter from them somewhere in your original Stack of Stuff.

Perhaps not yourself but a large part of the population here uses Comcast for either phone, cable, and/or internet. Thus, the service is offered to have whatever you need set up as soon as possible. I've had Comcast forever, couldn't be (much) happier. And ClearLink gave me more than I asked....

[chuckster]

I agree...started with Clear Link 7 years ago, then it changed to Comcast and recently added phone service to the package when it became available. So far no problems and they have delivered what they said they would. Must just be my lucky day......so far.

[bike42]

Did anyone else have people call to solicit their business?? I'm not very happy that my phone number was given out to outside companies.

Home sales are a matter of public record and new home owners are prime targets for telemarketers -- this is true everywhere; it's not a Villages conspiracy.

[spk7951]

Home sales are a matter of public record and new home owners are prime targets for telemarketers -- this is true everywhere; it's not a Villages conspiracy.


Two problems here;
1 - there are federal and state laws prohibiting telemarketing calls if your number is on the no call list
2 - since their house has not been built yet then yes I would have an issue with someone giving out the phone contact info

[John_W]

If you're upset with one phone call, they you are in for a major headache. We never got any calls on our cellphone, but we still have our old number from Maryland. However, as soon as we got our home phone from Century Link we got at least a call everyday for over a month.

Probably at least a dozen were selling water purifiers, that's the biggest caller. They usually don't tell you at the start of the call who they are, in fact they'll lie and actually say they are from Home Depot or Lowe's and want to present you with a Welcome Kit. Then when you say I'm busy, just mail it to me, they'll say we would like to present this in person and give you a free water test while were there. Also popular are free gift cards from Olive Garden and whatever else they might have.

The same thing also happens with the mail. I've been here 8 months and I still get offers every week to attend a free luncheon at Bone Fish, Olive Garden or Arnold Palmer for listening to a presentation selling some sort of investment plan, counseling, etc. I've probably thrown away at least 100 of those offers, a person could eat well if they didn't mind listening to them.

[Uptown Girl]

We got daily calls for about two weeks from about 14 different water softener companies.

They're just trying to make a living.... and everyone was polite when I declined.

Lots of people came to the door to leave business cards/ pamphlets, too... but all that will die down quickly.

[Happinow]

from various companies. In Canada we have a do not call list that I guess is somewhat effective. We get many more calls in Florida than in Canada and I am wondering what the rules are in the US about telephone solicitation. Seems like its alot of window companies and household services and newspapers. Do they use the phone book?

LW888

We don't even live in TV yet. We won't close until May 9th. So, I wonder how these Comcast people got our number. It's my cell phone and not published, so it had to be a list they got from someone in the sales office. Maybe a list goes out to prospective services upon signing the contract.

[Happinow]

It was Clear Link that called. I was leaning towards having that other new company that came in for internet and cable tv.. I can't think of it now.

[JoeC1947]

I'm not a big fan of Comcast but much like politicians, Comcast is the lesser of all the evils.

[mrfixit]

.... In Canada we have a do not call list. We get many more calls in Florida than in Canada.
I am wondering what the rules are in the US about telephone solicitation. Seems like its alot of window companies and household services and newspapers. Do they use the phone book?

LW888

..................In the USA there is a DO NOT CALL List Service.

Call FROM the PHONE on which you DO NOT want to have
"un-solicitated" sales people bothering you .

.....Call 888-382-1222 from Your phone to eliminate the unwanted calls.
Again that number is ...888...382...1222.

.....30 days later...Your number is ......ON "the list",
..I think for 5 years.................

IF you receive a call...You can report them to
,,,,,,,,,,, 888-225-5322 ....
That number is 888-CALL-FCC
...888...225---5322

Once THEY PAY the BIG $$$ fine ....
( up to $ 10,000.)
.........They Will Honor the Do Not Call List.

[Happinow]

Thank you for that info. I grabbed a paper and pen and put it on my list of things to do!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

...... In Canada we have a do not call list that I guess is somewhat effective. We get many more calls in Florida than in Canada and I am wondering what the rules are in the US about telephone solicitation. .......................

Here's the National Do Not Call Registry's web site:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

Bill :)

[lightworker888]

Thanks! I'll do that as soon as I get into town.

LW888

[Posh 08]

We don't even live in TV yet. We won't close until May 9th. So, I wonder how these Comcast people got our number. It's my cell phone and not published, so it had to be a list they got from someone in the sales office. Maybe a list goes out to prospective services upon signing the contract.

Did other businesses get your cell number besides TV Sales? Pool Co, furniture store etc?

[Happinow]

We had to give our number to the sales office and pool people but nobody else has it except for the bank. We will work our way through it.

[BostonCelt]

It was Clear Link that called. I was leaning towards having that other new company that came in for internet and cable tv.. I can't think of it now.

I'll say it again...differently. ClearLink Communications is here at TV, at 1100 Main Street. They are TV people. They are part of the In-Processing system. They're in your initial paperwork. They are not Comcast; they do the installation FOR Comcast. The installer that comes to your home works for ClearLink, not Comcast. As soon as you get a closing date, ClearLink gets the word, and you get the call. Again, they're really not selling Comcast, they're just letting you know that if you're going to want Comcast...for ANYthing, as so many do....they, ClearLink, will be there for you when you're ready for them. If everyone had to personally contact and go directly to Comcast for their service at start-up it would be a much more less-satisfying system.

You can make all the DO NOT CALLs you want. I'll bet all future closing dates will still be followed by a call from ClearLink (unless, perhaps, you specifically request they don't through your Sales Rep/Designer/whomever). It's a part of the system. It's an offered service to expedite your Comcast service if you'll be using it....

IMHO....

[SALYBOW]

The day after we closed we were awakened at 7:45 by a knock on our door asking if we wanted donuts. Since we were sleeping on the floor of the LR I wanted to try to get a few more winks. From that day forward for at least two months we were besieged. Good luck

[mrfixit]

You can make all the DO NOT CALLs you want.

I'll bet all future closing dates will still be followed by a call from ClearLink (unless, perhaps, you specifically request they don't through your Sales Rep/Designer/whomever).
It's a part of the system. It's an offered service to expedite your Comcast service if you'll be using it....

IMHO....

....You are CORRECT ............
the "Do Not Call List" DOES NOT prevent calls from those
with whom You have an "established" business relationship.

The LIST only provides consequences to those who attempt to
contact your number with an UN-solicited sales pitch.

[John_W]

We had Clear Link call us while I was still in Baltimore. What was confusing was I had just contacted Directv about moving my service and since they are connected with the local phone company, Century Link, I immediately thought it was someone calling from Century Link. Finally I realized this woman was saying Clear Link and wanted to know if I wanted Comcast, and not Century Link and when I wanted telephone and internet installed.

The other available TV service that is not satellite is Prism, which is also offered by Century Link and is somewhat like Fios which is offered by Verizon in the north. So you could go with Century Link for phone, internet and Prism or phone, internet and Directv. Comcast is good if you're not a big sports fan, not a big HD fan or are a seasonal resident.

[CaptJohn]

It was Clear Link that called. I was leaning towards having that other new company that came in for internet and cable tv.. I can't think of it now.

Are you thinking of Prism?

I've not had any calls in years since registering several numbers on the Do Not Call List.
http://www.donotcall.gov

[jackz]

It was Clear Link that called. I was leaning towards having that other new company that came in for internet and cable tv.. I can't think of it now.

Probably Brighthouse as they just starting operating in the Sanibel area.

[bonrich]

We were setting up our service in Sanibel. Went online for Comcast, picked out our bundle, submitted it to set up install and it came back that they did not service the area but Brighthouse did. Same stuff, Brighthouse took it all and the next thing to do was to call the 800 number posted to set up the install. Got through and was told by the agent that they did not service the area and that Comcast was the provider.
Well, long story short, I Googled Comcast again and this time watched the web page to make sure I was into Comcast official website. The website I had picked said they were an "authorized retailer". This time made sure it was Comcast and not a third party, verified they serviced the area, which I knew they did, ordered up the bundle and set install for March.
:a040:

[2 Oldcrabs]

Once we signed the contract for our home, the phone calls starting coming from clear link and comcast. We went with Brighthouse (available south od 466a only), not one telemarketing call since we move in. We do get junk mail for water softner etc. I think TV sells the info to companies. Brighthouse does not give out info to a 3rd party.:bigbow:

[Trish Crocker]

Don't answer the phone....problem solved! With caller ID and an answering machine it's easy. Friends and family will show up....blocked calls don't get answered. If it's important, they will leave a message....everyone I KNOW has my cell. I realize the first reaction is "what if someone is trying to get in touch with me?????"...reality is, if you were out of the house they wouldn't reach you on your landline anyway. It's annoying to listen to the phone ring but less annoying than listening to a salespitch. Another option, pick up the receiver, then hang it back up immediately without saying anything. Failing to see the problem here.

[spk7951]

..................In the USA there is a DO NOT CALL List Service.

Call FROM the PHONE on which you DO NOT want to have
"un-solicitated" sales people bothering you .

.....Call 888-382-1222 from Your phone to eliminate the unwanted calls.
Again that number is ...888...382...1222.

.....30 days later...Your number is ......ON "the list",
..I think for 5 years.................

IF you receive a call...You can report them to
,,,,,,,,,,, 888-225-5322 ....
That number is 888-CALL-FCC
...888...225---5322

Once THEY PAY the BIG $$$ fine ....
( up to $ 10,000.)
.........They Will Honor the Do Not Call List.


Florida has their own do not call list for telemarketers, not sure why. You need to pay to register your phone number on this list. While Florida does share the list with telemarketers quarterly we have found that some of the air conditioning repair companies do not abide by the law. Here is the Florida web link:

https://www.fl-ag-online.com/csapps/FDNC/fdnchome.aspx?Logout=yy

[albertehill]

We're moving down into Fernandina and have Comcast up here in PA. I had called up and said we were moving and they set up the install over the phone. We get great service up here in PA and I am hoping to get the same in TV. We use them for cable, internet and phone. The ONLY thing I don't like about Comcast is that you need a DVR box in every room to get the HD channels (those over channel 100). I wish there was a whole house DVR. Oh well...maybe in time.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

We're moving down into Fernandina and have I wish there was a whole house DVR. Oh well...maybe in time.

PROBLEM SOLVED :pepper2:

Brighthouse offers whole house DVR.