Predictive Dialers
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As the name implies, predictive dialers use advanced programming to predict the outcome of a call. According to legend, a predictive dialer can turn a less then optimal list into a productive session by maximizing the time that telemarketers spend with potential customers. If you have something to sell over the telephone and you have little time to sell it, predictive dialers are designed to make your efforts more effective.
But if you’re on the other end of the line, watch out …
Consumers–make that you and me–tend to dislike predictive dialers with a passion. It’s easy to tell when a predictive dialer has called your number. That long stretch of dead air after you pick up the line (where you typically say “hello, Hello?, HELLO???) is a dead giveaway. The predictive dialer is using that dead air time to route your call to a live attendant.
In a house with multiple phone lines, you can sometimes hear the different lines ring simulataneously. This is another tip off that you’ve been targeted by a predictive dialer. When that happens around here, I let those calls go to voice mail. But that brings up yet another wrinkle …
Some predictive dialers are programmed to seek out answering machines. They leave messages that sound as if a real person has something of real imporantance to say. Their messages sound earnest, the voices even honest. And when they don’t find the answering machines they’re looking for, they hang up.
One Comment
Ngee Cau
December 11th, 2006
at 9:05am
Hi Dan,
I’ve read through your article on predictive dialers. They are really good. I like the fact that you are unbias in your write-up. I was quite intrigue to learn that there are predictive dialers that seek out answering machines and then would hang up if there is a live person on the other hand. I wonder why such technology is developed as I would think it defeats the purpose of a predictive dialer? The telemarketing industry has not had a positive image because of misuse of the technology but this technology does not benefit the industry.
I want to clarify two things about MarkeTel’s predictive dialers. The first being the dead silence as you have described. MarkeTel has been in the industry for more than 10 years and have developed a very advance technology that has the first hello technology, which mean you would not get the silence. If there is a silence we know that it’s not our product. Secondly, our machine detects both answering machine and live agents. The benefit to that is that the agent can also leave a message with answering machine. We work hard to help call center to be more productive and efficient. At the same time, we want to educate the consumers their rights for their privacy - DNC.
MarkeTel works closely with Call Compliance Inc to automatically screens and blocks in real-time against federal, state, wireless, third party and in-house Do-Not-Call lists to ensure both consumers and customers are protected. I am glad to see that your web-site informs consumers of their legal rights. Thanks for have an informed web-site.
Regards,
Ngee Cau
CEO MarkeTel Systems