POLL: How do YOU respond to telemarketing annoyances?

[StageLeft]

I just got called and they knew my name and some lady started going on some list saying how I was entered in a sweapstakes for something. I thought "Hmm, i'll listen for a few seconds and at the right moment tell her to go away", but then she just kept on going and I heard the words "visa and mastercard", so I simply put the phone down and went back to the TV. Basically I waited just long enough to totally confirm to myself this was a telemarketer and I didn't even bother with some lame excuse because they don't deserve one IMO.

 

[nirgis]

telemarketers are definitely annoying, but at the same time I try to be polite to the person, since they are not to blame. I know I would get really depressed if people shouted at me the entire day.

 

[b0mbrman]

I say "Hold on, my roommate handles that bill..." then just leave the phone off the hook

 

[StageLeft]

<< telemarketers are definitely annoying, but at the same time I try to be polite to the person, since they are not to blame. I know I would get really depressed if people shouted at me the entire day. >>

True. I don't shout. I think I save them time so they can get on to my neighbor soon.

I want to try bomberman's trick but I don't have it in me

 

[ProviaFan]

I just hang up.

 

[mrCide]

i just interupt them and tell them i'm not interested and put me on their do not call list.

 

[poopaskoopa]

Caller ID. If I don't know the number, or the name on the screen, he/she will wait for the tone, or press 1 to leave me a message. My parents' number shows up as "anonymous"(along with a few peeps who won't stop calling me), so they get screen as well... Sorry, mom...

 

[mattyrug]

I tell them that I'm not him and that he can't come to the phone, because he's to busy performing sexual favors for me, if you get my drift!

I'm gettin ghassled by a telemarketer, I've kept a log of every time they've called, and asked them not too, and also told them I've contacted the Local Police, and the BBB, but they still call 10-15 times a day! Lawsuit is coming very sson. :|

 

[cressida]

I just hang up when I hear in the computer typing or other people taking in the background before they start saying something

 

[reitz]

Caller ID. If a number is marked unavailable, I don't answer it.

In the past, I used to just waste as much of their time as possible. Let them go through their sales pitch, ask a ton of questions, and right as they're about to close the sale, change my mind Sure, it's a waste of my time, but I'm not the one getting paid on commission.

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

I like the Seinfeld trick

Me: Hello
TM: Hi, we're calling to see if you would like to switch long distance services.
Me: Well, I really can't talk now, how about you give me your home phone number and I'll call you back later.
TM: Uh, sir, we really can't do that.
Me: Oh, you don't want people calling you at home.
TM: Right.
Me: Well now you know how I feel.
*click*

 

[vi edit]

If I suspect that it may be a telemarketer, the instant after they say my name and ask me how I'm doing on this fine evening, I politely ask "Is this a Solicitation?", there's a moment of silence as the person on the other ends tries to figure out what the word "solicitation" means, and once they figure it out, they say yes. I then calmly state that this number does not accept solicitations over the phone and I hang up.

 

[Texmaster]

I have that zapper thing and that has knocked down the number of calls. Also, if you put on your bills your cell number instead of your home phone number you get less calls.

And if you claim you yourself are a salesperson for some reason they will hang up.

 

[Martin]

i don't get people trying to sell me stuff, but I do get people asking for surveys.

I usually tell them there's no one over 18 in the house, even though there's no one under 18 in here

Telesales would be handled differently though.

 

[FrogDog]

<< I like the Seinfeld trick

Me: Hello
TM: Hi, we're calling to see if you would like to switch long distance services.
Me: Well, I really can't talk now, how about you give me your home phone number and I'll call you back later.
TM: Uh, sir, we really can't do that.
Me: Oh, you don't want people calling you at home.
TM: Right.
Me: Well now you know how I feel.
*click*

>>

Hehe. I like his other one too:

"Hello sir, would you be interested in a subscription to the NY Times?"
Jerry: "Yes!"
*CLICK*

 

[rc5]

A typical answer is:"So, what are you wearing?".

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

<<

<< I like the Seinfeld trick

Me: Hello
TM: Hi, we're calling to see if you would like to switch long distance services.
Me: Well, I really can't talk now, how about you give me your home phone number and I'll call you back later.
TM: Uh, sir, we really can't do that.
Me: Oh, you don't want people calling you at home.
TM: Right.
Me: Well now you know how I feel.
*click*

>>

Hehe. I like his other one too:

"Hello sir, would you be interested in a subscription to the NY Times?"
Jerry: "Yes!"
*CLICK* >>



Hehe, that's a good one too

 

[Elledan]

<< If I suspect that it may be a telemarketer, the instant after they say my name and ask me how I'm doing on this fine evening, I politely ask "Is this a Solicitation?", there's a moment of silence as the person on the other ends tries to figure out what the word "solicitation" means, and once they figure it out, they say yes. I then calmly state that this number does not accept solicitations over the phone and I hang up. >>


I like this one

 

[Jhill]

I try to keep a bag of chips around so I can crunch them as loud as possible in the speaker when they are trying to talk. Then I keep chewing (with my mouth open) and ask really dumb questions. Then I say I am just house sitting and the owner won't be back for 2 months.
I know it's dumb but it at least entertains me for a few seconds.

 

[erikiksaz]

Telemarketers -- "Hi, i'm from blah blah blah and i'd like to tell you about our new blah blah blah plan...."
Me interrupts-- "May i please be removed from your calling list?"
Me --"And your full name please?"
Me --"Thank you"
Telemarketers -- "Blah blah blah, ok."

CLICK.

 

[Hoeboy]

ironically i just got one a moment ago. i used to be a telemarketer so i know how it feels when people d!ck you over the phone. it's really a drag considering most telemarketers are teenagers trying to stay away from fast food so i try to be semi-nice. i dont think i've ever hung up on one without first saying no thank you.

 

[JonathanM]

depends on what kind of telemarketing it is...

If its a poll, I lie.

If its a woman, I ask for a date.

If its a guy, I sceam and hangup.

 

[misle]

I'm soooo happy about being on Missouri's "No-Call List"

I rarely receive any telemarketing calls. And when I do, I mention the No Call List, because they get fined if I report them. They usually hang up pretty quick.

 

[Ornery]

TELEPHONE PRIVACY - IT'S THE LAW

• Two federal laws regulate telemarketing. Additionally, individual states may have specific laws regarding the use of telephone lines for telemarketing.
  
  Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 199
  
  This law requires that businesses:
  • 
    · Take you off their list if you ask them to do so.
    
    · Have a written policy for maintaining "do not call" lists that is available upon demand.
    
    · Can call only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless they have your express consent, or unless you have an established business relationship.
    
    · Cannot use a fax machine, computer or other device to send an unsolicited ad unless the receiving party has given prior consent.
    
    · Cannot use a prerecorded message unless the called party consents or the call is for emergency purposes.
    
    · Tax-exempt or nonprofit organizations are not required to comply with the "do not call" list requirements. And, the laws do not apply to calls made to businesses.
    
    · The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 allows you to sue a telemarketer in state court under certain conditions.
  
  The Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud Abuse Prevention Act
  • 
    
    · This law also requires telemarketers to keep "do not call" lists, and, under certain conditions, you can sue telemarketers in federal court if they do not comply.
    
    · They are restricted to the hours of calling and must make certain disclosures during the course of the call about the nature of the call and the goods or services they represent.
    
    · They cannot make false or misleading statements or misrepresent any information including the total cost and the quality of any goods or services they are offering.
    
    · Under this law, "do not call" lists don?t apply to nonprofit organizations, but they do apply to telemarketing companies providing services for nonprofit organizations if the telemarketers sell goods and services as part of the call.

 

[Sciolist]

<< i just interupt them and tell them i'm not interested and put me on their do not call list. >>


Yep, I do that too. Where's that option in the poll?