In the past, when a company has failed to honor my opt-out request, I've called and told them to pick it up. Sometimes that's worked, but the phone books keep coming. I tried to do the same thing with the DEX books delivered here on Wednesday, but haven't had any luck finding a human being to talk to.
So I did some research. I was unaware--or maybe I just forgot--that two years ago a bill, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=3326&year=2007, was introduced in the Washington State House to require an "opt-out" option and--the key!--specifying a PENALTY for not honoring opt-out requests. Not too surprisingly, the Yellow Pages Association lobbied and successfully strangled the bill a-borning (It died in committee). They prefer "self-regulation".
So, today, I contacted our fabulous legislative team and let them know that, should this bill be revived, they should be aware that the companies' promises to "self-regulate" have not been honored. I sent the same message to the bill's sponsors, Representatives Simpson, Hudgins, Pedersen, Kenney, Ormsby.
I suggest people who share my frustration consider this as a possibly productive expression of it. Opt-in would be the best solution, but this legislation would be better than the current situation.
And now I'm not going to spend any more time on this--at least, until the next pile of trash arrives on my doorstep!
westseattleblog
West Seattle Blog
West Seattle Blog
