This is in response to Tad Clarke's editorial (“Telemarketing Gets a Bum Rap on TV,” April 12). We must have similar interests — or lack of a more exciting life — as I happened to have watched the same two shows and came away with the same negative feeling.
Back in the late '70s, I saw what a professional telemarketing campaign could add to the bottom line. The children's book club publisher I worked for realized a 40 percent increase in sales and it represents 60 percent of its business! Today, telemarketing accounts for $7 billion to $10 billion dollars in revenue. But who are these buyers? Have you ever met someone who welcomes these calls?
Contrary to belief, they are out there. And if it wasn't for the people who do this for a living, a great number of consumers and shut-ins who live in remote areas would not be able to benefit from the many products and services that are offered by phone every day.
Maybe we need get this message out to Andy Rooney.
Bob Hawkins
The Credit Index
Mt. Arlington, NJ
