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carrbowl · **I'm ticked!! -** 03-31-2008, 10:50 AM

I got my texas sales and use tax permit in the mail on Saturday.....Before 10 am this morning...Monday I have had TWO sales calls for my business...guess who's making money off their lists??? Whats up with that? Did I forget to mark a "do not call me" box???

HotHolly · 03-31-2008, 10:59 AM

That happened to us too. We were on the do not call list, but they required your home # and the biz line. Lots of fun. They usually stop calling when they KNOW its a residence. Also throw in the do not call thing. It'll take a few weeks for it to stop if you do that. If you dont it takes months to trickle down.

carrbowl · 03-31-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHolly

That happened to us too. We were on the do not call list, but they required your home # and the biz line. Lots of fun. They usually stop calling when they KNOW its a residence. Also throw in the do not call thing. It'll take a few weeks for it to stop if you do that. If you dont it takes months to trickle down.

Lovely!!! That will give me something to look forward to!!!

CobyPhoto · 03-31-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I got my texas sales and use tax permit in the mail on Saturday.....Before 10 am this morning...Monday I have had TWO sales calls for my business...guess who's making money off their lists??? Whats up with that? Did I forget to mark a "do not call me" box???

The Do not call list doesn't apply to a Business number. I have had a tax number for years, multiple ones, and I still get calls. They have to honor the home phone listing do not call, but not if you list it as your place of business!

CJ

frameworthy · 03-31-2008, 01:01 PM

I filed the end of January, and they just started to stop. Good luck...

CobyPhoto · 03-31-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frameworthy

I filed the end of January, and they just started to stop. Good luck...

It will work for a while. Problem is, if you LIST you home phone as a business phone, (working out of a residence) they don't have to honor your do not call. Business numbers are exempt.

Just another issue people fail to realize when they open a business and operate it from a residence. That and most HOA/POA's restrict this. If you live in an area that is managed by a HOA/POA 99.99% chance that you CAN NOT operate a business from your residence.

CJ

toverman · 03-31-2008, 02:16 PM

You should use your cell phone as your biz phone. Those can also be added to the Do Not Call list, and currently (despite Internet rumors) the FCC prohibits the use of automatic dialers to cell numbers. Because most sales calls originate with an auto-dialer, cell phones are at least for now immune.

Plus, clients will be more likely to reach you than reach an answering machine (unless you're busy at another shoot). Quicker response=more business.

CaptainTom · 03-31-2008, 02:42 PM

Starting a home based business has its downside. Be assured that the calls will stop. You will likely get a lot of mail from companies who want to sell you Credit card machines, insurance, mailing supplies, etc. etc. etc. That too will trickle off.
The fact that you registered as a business is public information. These companies pay money to research the listings and mass mail to all new businesses. If they don't get a response they will eventually drop you from the list because of the expense involved. The next list they buy will have a whole new set of businesses, and you will not be on it.

I inquired on line about health insurance and I barely got the cursor off the "contact me" button when the phone rang. It rang all day. Each time I would say 'sorry , you are the umpteenth call today and I have signed with someone else".. The calls stopped .

Have patience, endure, concentrate on making it a viable business.

Howard Barlow · 03-31-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toverman

You should use your cell phone as your biz phone.

How do people get that number, other than your web site? Can you get it in the YP? I tried to get a Vonage number in SWB YP. Not gonna happen. Both sides said the other had to do it. I guess you might get it in some of the other directories.

SCone · 03-31-2008, 04:49 PM

Ring... ring.... Hello? May i speak to "insert your name here"? Why yes you can, My rates start at $225 an hour with a 1 hour minimum charge. What credit card will you be charging this discussion to?

They never stay long.

canoflan · 03-31-2008, 04:53 PM

This is why I gave a cell number. I have caller ID and 99% of the numbers I receive now do not leave a message.
Pat

HotHolly · 03-31-2008, 05:18 PM

Hey - maybe you should look for the silver lining and try to sell them photography packages when they call? lol. I've started my sales spcheal when a solicitor calls. That seems to catch them off guard. Its funny. You should try it.

carrbowl · 03-31-2008, 05:30 PM

OMG..it reminds me of that guy off youtube that "gets em back". I 'll have to think of a good story to entertain myself.!!

mccls1030 · 03-31-2008, 09:19 PM

"Ring... ring.... Hello? May i speak to "insert your name here"? Why yes you can, My rates start at $225 an hour with a 1 hour minimum charge. What credit card will you be charging this discussion to?

They never stay long."

That's a good one - I'll have to remember that, even tho I rarely get solicitations these days. Those do not call registrations are great!

carrbowl · 03-31-2008, 09:34 PM

Sharon, that's what's so wierd...both home and cell are on the do not call list...guess the business number trumps the do not call list...????

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I'm ticked!!