On Wednesday, May 16, 2001 at 6:18 p.m., I received a recorded call saying I had won a travel package to Las Vegas. "Annie with Advanced Resorts of America" -- the identity of the recorded voice -- said I had filled out some entry form and was selected as a winner on April 16. My confirmation code was 184. All I needed to do was call 1-866-876-6978 to redeem my prize.

I called the number given and got a recorded message about their "2001 jet boat sweepstakes," and the Las Vegas packages. All I needed to do to redeem the prize was preview their advertising presentation. "No obligation to purchase anything." If I was interested, I should press 0. I pressed 0. Another recording gave me a listing of dates and times I could come in to view their presentation. I would have to bring my spouse or significant other and would need two pieces of identification. If I was still interested, I should press 0 for directions. I pressed 0. A recorded message gave me directions to their office in La Conner, Washington, though it never provided the actual address. The message instructed me to leave my name, number and other information, so that they could reserve my prize. I declined to do so.

I searched for information on "Advanced Resorts of America" and didn't turn up much. No corporate records were on file with the Secretary of State and no phone number was listed on QwestDex. The directions they gave mentioned "Potlach Resorts," so I began to search for information on that. Again, no corporate records or phone number, but I happened across a La Conner Chamber of Commerce web page that listed "Potlach Resorts" and had a phone number (360-466-4468).

I called the number listed and the recorded message that picked up identified the company as Advanced Resorts of America. Bingo, I thought. I navigated the voicemail a bit and eventually pressed 0 and was transferred to an operator named David. I told him I was interested in his company and asked for the address, which he said was "PO Box 819, La Conner, WA 98257." I asked for their physical address and he said it was "420 Pearle Jenson Way," again in La Conner. I thanked him and asked if he knew more information about the company, like whether it was incorporated or not. He said he didn't know this and that everyone else had gone home for the day. I asked who I would talk to to find more information and he said I should call back tomorrow and speak with Kelly. I thanked him and we parted ways.

On Friday, May 18, I called ARA and spoke with two folks before finally reaching Pam, the telemarketing supervisor. I explained that I had received a recorded call from them and was going to file a small claim so I needed their corporate information or owner's name so that I may file it correctly. She was cordial and explained that their calls are legal because they allow you to press a number for an operator. "If you have an option to speak with an operator it's perfectly fine." I would argue that the call I received did not tell you how to reach an operator, but the fact is that doesn't matter. Either way, the calls are illegal. I decided not to argue about this, however. "Okay, I still need to file the claim," I said. She told me they were incorporated as "Advanced Resorts of America," which I found no records for. I asked if it was in Washington, and she wasn't sure. She said I should call back and speak with the "owner," Pete.

At 3:20, I called and asked for Pete. The operator, Kelly, didn't know who I was talking about. "Pete the owner," I said. "Pete's not the owner," she replied. I was transferred to Pam who said that last she'd checked, Pete was the owner. I left my name and number with Pam and asked her to give it to whoever the owner was.

After a half dozen phone calls over the course of a week, I discovered the owner was "Mr. Olsen" and was finally transferred to this "Mr. Olsen" on Friday, May 25. He was extremely rude to me, and refused to give me any information about the company, saying "we're not obligated to tell you anything." I explained that I needed to figure out who the legal entity was that I should file this against and he said, "well, if you're the amateur lawyer, you figure it out." Then, he promptly hung up on me.

After numerous calls to various state agencies trying to find records for this company, I did an online business search for anything with the word "resorts" and discovered that I was spelling their name wrong -- it was "Advance" not "Advanced." The company was indeed a corporation, so I printed out their corporate records and thought to myself, phwew, I can finally file my claim!