In Defense of Telemarketers

I’m a telemarketer and I believe that I’m performing a positive service.

Telemarketing is a current pariah. A bill was presented by Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) that would have the government manage whom telemarketers can call. It was killed by state Senate leader John Burton after strong opposition from many businesses, including telephone companies, retailers, newspaper publishers and real estate agents and brokers. The sponsor pledges to reintroduce the measure in another form. In a Big Brother way, the state government would make a master list of people--who pay annually to be on this list--who do not want to be solicited by phone. This list would then be sent to telemarketing companies, and violators would be subject to a $2,500 fine.

“Hello, I’m Cheyenne Wilbur, and I’m calling from the Mark Taper Forum,” I say that line 100 times a day, seven days a week, 50 weeks a year. I’ve been telemarketing for 10 years. I do it because I have a talent for sales and a passion for what I sell: theater.

Most times there will be a friendly response: not interested; interested but this is a bad time to talk; interested, let’s talk, what plays are you doing? That’s when I love my job and know I’m performing a service: getting the best seats at the best prices to people who love the theater.

I talk to people who have been faithfully attending the Taper for more than 30 years, people who drive from as far as Palm Springs and San Diego and people who come bone-tired after work on a weeknight.

I participate in their lives, albeit briefly, finding out that a spouse has died and she is just not up to going alone; or they have divorced and the only reason the husband on the phone went to plays is because the wife wanted him to, so he’s not renewing.

I also encourage individuals--especially when I hear that excitement in their voice after seeing their first play--to commit to a full season.

OK, they may not like all the plays, but I submit they are ultimately better off for going. I’m sure people who attend theater live longer.

In a very small percentage of calls there are angry responses: people who ask why am I calling at the dinner hour, or who tell me never to call again and then slam the phone down.

But a minority of angry individuals surely doesn’t warrant government intervention.