Lately a number of local businesses have begun to utilize more Calling Post to make business solicitations to the Cleveland Orthodox Community. While it may seem that LocalJewishNews.com is complaining as this “takes away from our advertising business,” the main concern here is that this type of robocall unsolicited marketing causes much disturbance to families, especially as these calls are being made at a late hour, about 9pm. Furthermore, this type of advertising is illegal and is in violation of very clear FCC (ie government) rules. It is stated clearly under § 64.1200 (see link here) that
(a) No person or entity may:
(2) Initiate any telephone call to any residential line using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message without the prior express consent of the called party, unless the call: (i) Is made for emergency purposes, (ii) Is not made for a commercial purpose, (iii) Is made for a commercial purpose but does not include or introduce an unsolicited advertisement or constitute a telephone solicitation, (iv) Is made to any person with whom the caller has an established business relationship or (v) Is made by or on behalf of a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
If you get these calls, ask the businesses to kindly discontinue to this type of advertising, and pursue other avenues or select the option at the end of the message to no longer receive these types of calls from Calling Post (yes, you will probably loose the community service calls too).
If you disagree or have other thoughts please place them in the comments section here.
Rochelle says
Can’t agree more agree more local jewish news has been providing daily communication not only advertisement but announcements that many of us would have never known about the annoyance of the calls in the evening should definitely be reconsidered between the availability local jewish news and advertisertise too business owners can get their message across
Michael (Moshe) Fine says
If you are being bothered by unwanted calls, call me. I can help and may be able to get you compensation for the harassment.
Michael (Moshe) Fine
mhj says
I’m glad this issue is finally getting some attention. Several years ago I contacted Calling Post about this and was told that my only option was to opt out of all calls from them including community service calls. Not wanting to report Jewish businesses to the FCC I’ve just put up with the calls but would never patronize a business that engages in such obnoxious advertizing
Charles says
I also have been getting text to email messages from a local busines, 3 at a time. Besides this being wrong and insensitive, why do these people think that these messages are going to make me shop at their business? Every time we get a callingpost there is no way that we can hear the whole message and no chance it gets out to my wife or family.
A Healthy View says
I think you people need to relax! You are way to sensitive and being to harsh. These local businesses are needed and are trying their best to service our community. Its nice to find out and hear what the businesses of our community are offering. I would agree that political calls or soliciting from outside our community and interest is a bit annoying however these calls are helping to grow our community businesses.
Lets just all relax and stop reacting on some small issues like these.
Avrohom says
National Do Not Call List – https://www.donotcall.gov/. Makes sense to register.
Susan Efroymson says
Just to clarify:
The political calls ARE legal (sigh) —-and this being a swing state, as we get into primary season, get ready to turn off your ringer during dinner.
Jake says
Yes good to register on Do Not Call Registry but the folks using Calling Post are no checking their numbers against this registry. :>
m says
Yes the calling post spam calls are so annoying and tacky and really make me not want to shop there. Whenever I hear that it’s a calling post message I listen carefully, thinking it will be an important community announcement, and if I’m suddenly blasted by loud spam instead, it’s very very irritating. However not everyone in the community has internet so if you want to reach everyone with news of your super exciting sheitel/tchotchke/suit/etc. sale what else are you supposed to do?
Shimeon Weiner says
I agree with A Healthy View – certainly hope that Rabbi Fine Esq would not consider legal action against Call and Post –
Mordechai says
Whom may we call at the local Call & Post to have our phone number removed from all advertising calls only?
allte yid says
Wow a bit of overreaction here… certainly at times it’s a bit annoying. But it’s a great community service for both community news and things like business advertising. Even if I may not need a new toupe, lol, these messages don’t bother me.
Dislike Calling Post says
I am glad that Calling Post does not have my cell number. If they ever would, I would immediately call the business/community organization and remove my number.
Baruch says
I think that these messages should bother us. Already many schools and organizations are sending me texts and calling me as robocalls. I think that frum community needs to make a pushback that while kol yisrael areivim it does not mean that our privacy and cell phone is just hefker. If these businesses knew what a turnoff it was to have them advertiising this way then they would stop.