Julie Barrett is a freelance writer and photographer based in Plano, TX.

Spam, spam, spam, spam...

Fresh when it gets here from Julie Barrett
Tuesday, January 25, 2011


What is it with the first of the year and unsolicited sales pitches?

Some days this month I've had more junk mail than during Christmas shopping season. It's an unrelenting parade of offers for credit cards, automobiles and services - some of it cleverly disguised as important mailings.

Then came the spam in my inbox. Those bulk emailers are getting more clever with their evasive tactics. I also suspect the hosting company has all but given up on filtering spam. I think it's time to look for a new one. Still, what part of "p*nis" does my email client spam filter NOT get? (Yes, I realize how wrong that line sounds, but it made me laugh when I saw it on the screen, so I'm inflicting it on my readership. Both of you.)

Next the phone calls. The phone solicitors are getting nasty, too. They ask to speak to Paul and won't take no for an answer. They won't take "he's out" for an answer. "When will he be back?" As if I'm going to tell a random stranger that. Sometimes, he's sitting here in the home office, doing everything he can to keep from snorting coffee through his nose while I give 'em hell. Witness this recent conversation:

Me: Paul's not in right now. Can I take a message?

Caller: This is the mortgage company.

Me: (Knowing the payment has already cleared the bank) This is a joint account. Is there something I can help you with?

Caller: I only see his name here and I can only speak to him.

Me: Is there a problem with our account?

Caller: (Silence)

Me: Is this a sales call?

Caller: (Silence)

Click.

A couple of weeks ago I had to fill out the paperwork for a replacement sales tax permit. The permit arrived last week. The calls started this week. Eight yesterday, three so far today. I've had to fix the machine to screen calls. Because I freelance, once in a while a job - or part of a job - is taxable. I want to follow the law. My reward is to have my day interrupted by people pushing merchant accounts, security services, CPA services, and Ghu knows whatever business services I don't need.

This is a long, roundabout way of saying Yes, I AM working on the new, improved events calendar. If only the danged phone would STOP ringing.

Tags: Life

Filed under: Life            

 

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