BELL TELEPHONE TELEMARKETING CENTER CUTTING PART-TIME STAFF

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Southwestern Bell Telephone's Telemarketing Center here is cutting back.

"We've downsized our promotion center here," said Craig Felzien, area manager for Southwestern Bell. "We'll still maintain our office space; we're keeping 18 part-time people, and the management staff of the center."

The telemarketing center opened at 351 Silver Springs Road in June of 1989, with 50 part-time workers, and has employed as many as 69 part-time people.

The workers called customers throughout the state, informing them of any promotions or when the company introduces new custom-calling options in new areas.

"The center has been effective, and will continue to be an important sales channel," said Felzien. "We had to cut the staff in view of fewer sales opportunities. There certainly is a chance that we may go back up as sales opportunities as the economy improves."

In another move by Southwestern Bell this week, the firm now offers customers a new payment option that of using credit cards to pay monthly telephone bills.

"This service was introduced on a trial basis in the 816 area code last August," said Felzien. "It is now being extended to 314 and 417 area codes."

Mastercharge or Visa credit cards may be used for bill payment.

"Customers interested in paying by credit card for a particular month need to call the telephone office to request the option," said Felzien. "Any future credit card payments also would need to be requested."

Felzien said customers had voiced an interested in a credit card pay plan. "The purpose of the trial is to measure the customers' interest level in using the credit cards," he said.

Felzien said the 816 area code trial resulted in 432 participants using credit cards the first six month.

He added that the service is purely for customer convenience. "It will not generate any additional revenues for Southwestern Bell," he said.