Was certain a thread existed on this but the search turned up nothing. So, to Samurai, sorry if this is a duplicate thread.

Now, to the subject of the thread, I've been on vacation this week and thought I would get some fall cleaning done and take care of some personal business.

All blasted week long, Veridian, Rogers and Bell were calling about their wonderful rate offers. Due to the personal business, I'm waiting for some folks to call me back. Of course, they can't get through because of these assholes.

First guy to call (Veridian) was really ignorant. His tone was the kind of tone you would use on a servant. I told him I was waiting on an important call and I'm not interested before hanging up. While I was hanging up, I heard him say "I'm not finished talking to you!" I really hope he heard me say "Fuck you!" while I was hanging up.

Ten minutes later, another call from Veridian. Another ding bat. I told her I'm not interested and hung up. Five minutes later, Bell. Same response from me.

This kept up throughout the week. I finally blew up today.

I had three calls from Rogers and another one from Veridian. Still expecting calls and trying to get some cleaning done. Getting madder than hell when the last call came through. I screamed into the phone: "This is the third time! Tell your colleagues I'm waiting on a call and don't have the time for this crap! Now leave me alone!" I almost embedded the phone into the floor (luckily not broken but very close) while hanging up.

Normally, I would ignore the phone and let it go to voice mail but because of the calls I'm expecting, that's currently not an option.

I know these people are pressured into shoving unwanted services and products down other people's throats but don't they keep track of the numbers called so they don't continuously call the same number all day.

So, how do I go about getting their address so I could mail them a brick?

"I'm not interested" to them means "Call back later, maybe you'll get another family member who will cooperate". This from a helpful rep. at Bell Canada I spoke with a few years ago regarding telemarketers. NEVER say "not interested" because your telephone number will just go straight back into the cue and your phone will ring at a different day or different time of day in hopes someone else will answer. That's how those predictive dialers work. I'm sure you've noticed how you keep having to say "not interested" to the same companies by now, right?

Correct thing to do is ask who they are (if they haven't identified themselves already) and then tell them to put you on their do-not-call list. Yes, half the time they'll say they don't have one or they'll just keep yakking. But the other half that subscribe to ethical telemarketing practices will honour your request. It does work to a degree. As to companies like Local Weedman who don't give a rats ass about your privacy and personal time and just do what they want, there's not much you can do. When telemarketers like that call and stammer out "Hello may I speak to Mr. Myelin?" (struggling to pronounce your name from the phone directory) I just reply, "...just a moment I'll go get him"...then place the handset down on the counter and continue what I was doing until I hear the phone's off-hook alarm... Really pisses them off when you do that AND you are fighting back by wasting their valuable time while they eventually figure out they've been had.

There are other fun ways to get back at telemarketers but I'm sure you've all done them before... ;)

Thank you for the tips Myelin!

Yes, I've used other methods of getting them back and now I understand the harassment techniques. Luckily, Shutterbug and I are the only two people in the house who answer the phone and we both let each other know what's up.

I had Feature Films for Families call me yet again last night!!!! I have told them I am not interested in buying any more movies. Explained to them last week my daughter is a senior in high school and is not into that sort of movie and my son is dead so he is not watching anymore cute movies and hung up. Ya think that would have done it. OH freakin no!!!!! So last night I answered and they ask for Michele. I tell them that she is no longer here. They ask if there is a new number and I say no she is dead, blew her brains out 3 days ago, still finding bits of her here and there. HEHEHE they said sorry and hung up real fast.

Posted by Myelin Correct thing to do is ask who they are (if they haven't identified themselves already) and then tell them to put you on their do-not-call list. Yes, half the time they'll say they don't have one or they'll just keep yakking.

I'm pretty sure that they are required by law to keep a "do not call list". You can always throw that in their face.

Here is a good trick I learned from a friend. You know the message you get when you call a disconnected number? It starts with 3 tones, and then the recorded message "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed has been disconnected". You can download a mp3 of those 3 tones. When you know that it is a telemarketer calling, pick up the phone, and play that mp3 into the phone. They think the number is disconnected and immediately remove the number from their call list. Works like a charm!

Well PorkChop not sure how it is in Virginia but up until now the DNC list in Canada has been voluntary, overseen by the Direct Marketer's Association. Telemarketers who were members were supposed to abide by the DNC list. Those who didn't, didn't. That changes this month with the following -

http://www.crtc.gc...INFO_SHT/t1026.htm

Hopefully soon I can sit thru a movie or eat dinner without someone trying to sell me duct cleaning or a portrait package or whatever.

Can't say how many times I've wanted to just cancel my phone line. It's essentially like paying for advertising coming into your home + the occasional legit phone call. Whereas my cell phone never gets spammed and the only people who know the number are people close to me - and it works wherever I go, unlike the landline. Mrs. Myelin doesn't agree so the twisted pair stays for now.

Posted by Myelin Well PorkChop not sure how it is in Virginia but up until now the DNC list in Canada has been voluntary, overseen by the Direct Marketer's Association. Telemarketers who were members were supposed to abide by the DNC list. Those who didn't, didn't. That changes this month with the following - http://www.crtc.gc...INFO_SHT/t1026.htm Hopefully soon I can sit thru a movie or eat dinner without someone trying to sell me duct cleaning or a portrait package or whatever. Can't say how many times I've wanted to just cancel my phone line. It's essentially like paying for advertising coming into your home + the occasional legit phone call. Whereas my cell phone never gets spammed and the only people who know the number are people close to me - and it works wherever I go, unlike the landline. Mrs. Myelin doesn't agree so the twisted pair stays for now.

Page is unavailable at this time.

I see.

Try - http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/dncl.htm

I was inside an abandoned building on active grounds and my cell phone goes off, and it was loud. My fault for not turning it off or putting it on vibrate, but I pick up and it was those extended car warranty motherfuckers. I have had over 10 calls from them, no lie. I want to kill someone.

Posted by Myelin I see. Try - http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/dncl.htm

That's awesome. I'm glad they are making it law. It looks exactly like the DNC for the states.

What I'm unsure of is wether or not the telemarketers are "required" to keep a list. Our governments keep the DNC list that the link refers to.

Posted by Myelin I see. Try - http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/dncl.htm

Thank you! And got it bookmarked.

The good Dr. Geist has made his submit-once clearing house styled opt out web site (Canadian). They opt out requests then get funneled to the respective companies and groups.

Now, if only the companies would respect these opt out requests...

I discovered about 10 years ago, that if you tell them 'Mr./Ms.-----(your own last name)had an 'episode' and is away being evaluated', that they will avoid calling your number in the future...

Posted by Crazyman I discovered about 10 years ago, that if you tell them 'Mr./Ms.-----(your own last name)had an 'episode' and is away being evaluated', that they will avoid calling your number in the future...

Sw-e-e-e-t. Gives me another idea... <wicked grin>