Also cell phone companies. (Do any cell phone people get phone spam? Who pays for the minutes?)

We can all still screen our calls.

Suggested message:

Hello. You have reached 123.4567, home of Murgatroyd, Xenobia, Quentin, Ursulina, and Spot. If you are one of our family or friends, and you know the magic number [for those who have a cell or an unlisted "other" land line], please hang up and dial it now.

If you have personal business or represent a company whose business we have solicited, and you wish to leave a message, please do so at the tone.

If you are a telemarketer, please be advised that we charge a fee for unsolicited sales calls. We bill at the rate of $500 per minute. The minute begins at the tone. Counting down: 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 -[tooooooone]

I remember a while ago the case of a man who decided he was going to warn telemarketting firms that their next call would be considered a consultation, and that he valued his time at several hundred dollars a minute. He kept track of who had been notified in a legally acceptable way, and then he proceeded to bill repeat offenders. No one paid, of course, so he started taking them to small claims court, and his cases were upheld. (I really, really have to find a citation for this...) It was, of course, a pain, but he had his very own "Do Not Call" list going, only he was on their "Do Not Call" list.

Wouldn't that be a hoot?

Regards--
Mary Anne