Augie Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Do you still have a landline? I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and my wife brought up ditching the home phone just last night after yet another robocall. I average 4-6 robocalls/day and they seem to be getting worse. I don’t need a car warranty, I don’t have any federal student loans and I don’t need a lower interest rate on my credit cards. Half the time there isn’t even anything on the other end, just silence. I block the numbers, but I don’t think that even slows them down. For us it’s not the cost (but that IS is a real thing), just the annoyance of robocalls. We still have the home phone for two reasons. We can call our cell phone if we can’t find it (very rare) and it will tell emergency services where we are if we ever need to call 911 (has NEVER happened, and hope it never will, but....) It’s gotten to the point that legit calls come in (very rarely) and I start out with a nasty, disgusted tone until I realize it’s real and someone I need. How about you?
LabattBlue Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Went from Verizon landline(~$65 a month for basic service) to Time-Warner Triple Play, to no landline. Been without for 4-5 years now. Don't miss it. Anyone who needs to reach us, has our cell numbers.
teef Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 we do but it's not even hooked up. i think it was one of those deals with spectrum where it would cost more if we didn't get it. 3
Augie Posted November 19, 2019 Author Posted November 19, 2019 2 minutes ago, teef said: we do but it's not even hooked up. i think it was one of those deals with spectrum where it would cost more if we didn't get it. You could be missing an important fax while you sit around listening to your 8 track tapes!
teef Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 3 minutes ago, Augie said: You could be missing an important fax while you sit around listening to your 8 track tapes! nothing infuriates me more than watching tv, to see the called id come up as complete spam. 1
Gugny Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 I have a landline and I use it daily. 99% of the spam calls I get are when I'm not home.
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 23 minutes ago, Augie said: Do you still have a landline? I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and my wife brought up ditching the home phone just last night after yet another robocall. I average 4-6 robocalls/day and they seem to be getting worse. I don’t need a car warranty, I don’t have any federal student loans and I don’t need a lower interest rate on my credit cards. Half the time there isn’t even anything on the other end, just silence. I block the numbers, but I don’t think that even slows them down. For us it’s not the cost (but that IS is a real thing), just the annoyance of robocalls. We still have the home phone for two reasons. We can call our cell phone if we can’t find it (very rare) and it will tell emergency services where we are if we ever need to call 911 (has NEVER happened, and hope it never will, but....) It’s gotten to the point that legit calls come in (very rarely) and I start out with a nasty, disgusted tone until I realize it’s real and someone I need. How about you? ....yup...packaged up with my Spectrum cable and internet......only use it where where phone number is required......machine grabs nuisance messages when I do not want to give out my cell.... 1
Augie Posted November 19, 2019 Author Posted November 19, 2019 3 minutes ago, teef said: nothing infuriates me more than watching tv, to see the called id come up as complete spam. “Call from....then read out the entire ten digit number”. It seems like it lasts forever! I want to throw a shoe at the TV......but I’m pretty sure that’s a bad idea. So far I have refrained. 2 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said: ....yup...packaged up with my Spectrum cable and internet......only use it where where phone number is required......machine grabs nuisance messages when I do not want to give out my cell.... Our is part of a package too. I find 90%+ do not leave a message. Heck, about 50% there is absolutely NOTHING on the other end if I decide to pick it up. 1
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 4 minutes ago, Augie said: “Call from....then read out the entire ten digit number”. It seems like it lasts forever! I want to throw a shoe at the TV......but I’m pretty sure that’s a bad idea. So far I have refrained. Our is part of a package too. I find 90%+ do not leave a message. Heck, about 50% there is absolutely NOTHING on the other end if I decide to pick it up. ....their software weeds out the expected spam....and I can block phone numbers......despite efforts to stop their calls, the effin' Red Cross calls constantly for my kids who no longer live with me as well as for my late wife and mother.....beyond obnoxious.....
LabattBlue Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 I've often thought about buying a "magic jack", and then using that for anything I do where I have to provide a number, then get a new cell number and only hand out to family and friends. $50, and then a few $$$ a month after 1st year... https://www.magicjack.com/
T&C Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 We have one but have never made a call on it nor picked up a call in 10 years or so, it rings once in awhile. Only reason we have it is that she works out of the house for Hilton so it is necessary for hooking up to the computer... why and how I don't know and don't care but we have to have it for that. Its just a thing here really.
Not at the table Karlos Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 (edited) Cable and internet are cheaper with it. It rings 25 times a day because of robo calls or scams. Edited November 19, 2019 by Not at the table Karlos 1
Augie Posted November 19, 2019 Author Posted November 19, 2019 6 minutes ago, T&C said: We have one but have never made a call on it nor picked up a call in 10 years or so, it rings once in awhile. Only reason we have it is that she works out of the house for Hilton so it is necessary for hooking up to the computer... why and how I don't know and don't care but we have to have it for that. Its just a thing here really. Once in a while??? I want that! How can that be? I swear we get 4-6 robocalls daily! They start right after 9:00am, then get heavy around dinner time. I should have included how many robocalls do you get! It’s maddening. I’m surprised the phone carriers have not lobbied HARD to shut this down. It’s the ONLY reason I’m considering dropping a home phone.
Gray Beard Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 We have the Spectrum cable/Internet/telephone combo. The telephone gets mostly spam calls, and calls from some older family members. All other calls are on the cell phones. I’m not sure why we have it, except that it’s been our home phone number for 35 years.
US Egg Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 I also have one of those golf club like sickles. I occasionally use it for fun to look retro and cheap.
RaoulDuke79 Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Yes.....because its bundled into our cable plan. Rarely answer it because it's 99% telemarketers.
/dev/null Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 (edited) ObiTalk 200: $70 on Amazon Google Voice: Free No monthly phone bill Free long distance Free voicemail Free texting Unknown callers are greeted by "Please state your name for the Google Voice subscriber" before connecting. This trips up most robo-dialers and telemarketing call centers Sure the NSA and Google are listening, but so are your land line providers Edited November 19, 2019 by /dev/null 1
Augie Posted November 19, 2019 Author Posted November 19, 2019 30 minutes ago, RaoulDuke79 said: Yes.....because its bundled into our cable plan. Rarely answer it because it's 99% telemarketers. Does it not drive you crazy??? Maybe that’s just me, but I’m fed up with it! 1
T&C Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 1 hour ago, Augie said: Once in a while??? I want that! How can that be? I swear we get 4-6 robocalls daily! They start right after 9:00am, then get heavy around dinner time. I should have included how many robocalls do you get! It’s maddening. I’m surprised the phone carriers have not lobbied HARD to shut this down. It’s the ONLY reason I’m considering dropping a home phone. My only guess is that no one has picked up a call ever on it so maybe the robo folks decided it was a piece of ***** number to call and put it on their own don't call list lol.
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