You'd probably be surprised to learn how many people buy things over the phone. When I worked for DISH network most of our customers who purchased over the phone were angry with their cable company. By calling them, we saved them the trouble of going out, seeking information, and making the changes. We answered their questions right there on the phone and companies like DISH make attractive offers to new customers. Years ago I worked for a replacement window company and what they would do is make an appointment for a salesman to come to the house. He would have with him several styles of windows which could be set up on a stand and the customer could examine them close up. An ifa-red thermometer which can show leakage and temperature change around old windows can show a customer they are losing a lot of money on heating and cooling costs over a year. While some customers are "sitting ducks" I'd say most companies who sell things over the phone are looking to sell the customer what is needed, usually in a package deal. For instance, you're not doing the customer any favor just putting siding on their house if there is rotted wood with termites underneath. Sure, there are unscrupulous merchants but I think you can see from many of the reviews here it is by no means limited to people who sell by phone. Some of the reviews about Best Buy, Circuit City, and various supermarkets kind of speak for themselves as far as rips offs go. If a person is an honest businessperson with a good product at a fair price, in many cases phone sales is a convenience for a lot of people, especially those who find physical shopping difficult such as caregivers who cannot get out often, the elderly or the hadicapped.