Amazon.com Product Review
When you've had your dinner interrupted by a telemarketer one too many times, treat your phone line and yourself to the Telezapper TZ 900. It's a simple, one-time-cost solution to the problem of annoying telemarketing calls. Based on the enormously popular classic Telezapper, the newer Telezapper TZ 900 offers the advantages of a slimmer profile, built-in battery power, and an advanced three-tone mode.
Here's how it works: Given that more than 90 percent of telemarketing calls are placed with computer assistance, when either you or your answering machine answers the phone, the Telezapper emits a special tone that tells the computer your number has been permanently disconnected. Telemarketing companies that use automated dialing systems typically remove disconnected numbers from their calling lists, and as your phone number is eliminated from more and more telemarketing lists, you'll notice fewer calls. Of course, not all telemarketers use predictive dialing systems, and those that do will undoubtedly continue their work to evade the Telezapper, but it can be a partial solution.
Most predictive dialing systems will be fooled by the Telezapper's standard single tone. However, for newer dialing systems (presumably designed in response to the success of the previous Telezapper model), the TZ 900 offers an advance three-tone mode. To change the mode, unscrew and remove the protective case and then slide a recessed switch. (We suggest that Privacy Technologies put the switch on the outside for their next model.)
For the most part, regular callers are unaffected by the Telezapper, but it may "zap" calls from other organizations that use the same predictive dialing technology (such as charities, pollsters, and automated emergency weather systems) and from callers who use certain types of calling cards. (For more information, click FAQ, or frequently asked questions, in the left navigation bar.)
Installation takes seconds. Just plug the Telezapper into your phone line and your phone into the Telezapper. It's that simple. A built-in lithium-ion battery provides power and will likely last for the lifetime of the unit. The Telezapper includes a phone cord and instructions. Privacy Technologies backs the device with a one-year warranty.
--Mike Brown Pros - Reduces telemarketing calls placed by predictive dialing systems
- Doesn't interfere with most normal calls
- Inexpensive, one-time-cost solution
- Extremely easy to install and use
Cons - May "zap" some desired calls
- Annoying beep every time the receiver is lifted
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(146 customer reviews) 75 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Works Like A Charm!,
February 18, 2003 IlPrimitivo (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: TeleZapper TZ 900 (Office Product)
I used to get marketing calls almost every day with calls in the months leading up to the holidays hitting my phone both in the morning and evening. Finally I had enough of the marketing call hassle and decided to fight back. I put a TelezZapper on my Christmas "wish list" and received one as a gift. I was a little skeptical about the thing and wasn't really sure if it would work but a few days after getting the unit the TeleZapper was on my phone line and I was waiting for the first telemarketer call to arrive to get zapped. I was also waiting to see if it would zap my DSL connection since it's on the same phone line. I didn't have to wait very long. The phone rang, I picked up the receiver, and in about a second I heard the tri-tone signal, and then said "hello" ... the line was silent. I called out again and got no response. I just zapped my first telemarketer and it was great!I booted up my computer to test my DSL line and it didn't skip a beat. I also...Read more
153 of 166 people found the following review helpful
Not the End-all, Be-all Solution,
February 27, 2003 Warren Holzem (Oregon) - See all my reviews
This review is from: TeleZapper TZ 900 (Office Product)
I actually have the earlier model of the TeleZapper -- the one that's the size of a small answering machine. The product does exactly what it is designed to actually do, and it does so reliably. But the real question is does what the product actually do stand up to it's marketing as a way to stop telemarketers from calling you.The answer is, to some degree, sort-of.The way it works is this: The telemarketer calls you. You (or your answering machine) answers the call, and the TeleZapper beeps. If the telemarketer is using the right equipment to recognize that tone as being a non-working number, the telemarketer will automatically disconnect from the call, and theoretically delete your phone number from the list it is using.So let's look at this closer. Your phone still rings. If you (or your answering machine) does not answer the ringing phone, the beep-tone is never heard by the telemarketer's equipment. The result of not answering the phone is the same with or without the...Read more
45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Works as advertised,
January 16, 2003 H. Row "in1ear" (Arvada, CO United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: TeleZapper TZ 900 (Office Product)
I always enjoy reading reviews of "controversial" items. It amazes me what expectations people have in a product. This item is a great example. Here's how this item works:Telemarketers and others use computers to call up people to try to sell them stuff. They can literally dial THOUSANDS of numbers a day. It doesn't matter if your number is unlisted. If it can be generated by a computer, you will get unsolicited calls. Caller ID is great to avoid unwanted calls BUT unfortunately, just because you don't answer, doesn't mean they'll stop calling your number. The phone company offers a "blocking" service, but you pay every month and sometimes every call coming into your number. There is a national and state by state "NO CALL" list you can sign up to on the net. But, I'm signed up with several, I still received DOZENS of calls selling stuff. For various reasons, the Phone company's computer has an electronic signal to mark disconnected phone numbers to other computerized...Read more
