They do not leave a voicemail if you don't pick up, but if you call the number, you get a voicemail for Venture Data Call Research, "one of the premiere data research" companies in the business.  Despite the fact that they are in my own area code (in fact, the number puts them in a nearby town that I can walk to in about 15 minutes), it says "OUT OF AREA", but at least they don't mask their phone number.

These people called my cell phone twice tonight.  Pick up, dead air.  Same area code as mine.  [***].

they claimed to be kohl research company and wanted to ask me a few questions.  I asked what reasearch are they doing.  they said for the Auto Industry.  then they asked what state and county I lived in. I told them the state, but stated I didnt know the county, they said goodbye.

Venture data is a real company. When we say goodbye after a strange question, it's because a computer screened you out for statistics. Try to talk a range of people for each poll. Sometimes we don't get to say goodbye after a question, because our computers auto disconnect us. The national do not call list does not apply to non-solicitors doing survey research. If you are kind or patient and ask we will add you to ou own do not call list, if you don't say anything you get put in the call back later spot. We're just people who needed to survive. And it pays, poorly, but it's a job. The people we call, I tell you. [***], 40%. Holier than thou people yellin about Jesus and telling us to [***] off for bothering them. Real Christians, for sure. :)

I'm happy someone else knows this. I always hate calling people and being told 'put me on your [***] do not call list'. "Well, sir, we are exempt from the national do not call list because we are not attempting to sell you anything and are only calling to--" *hangs up*. Respondents are so rude sometimes. The pay isn't bad, though.