I hate Tele-marketers! They keep calling me on my Cell! At least twice a day some idiot calls me about my credit rating or some cruise offer to a place I don't give a shit about. I've been creative at finding ways to tell them to piss off, but they still keep calling!

It's super annoying especially when I'm flying and it's not Flight Services that call me up about some incoming weather or an emergency notification, but some dumb-ass trying to pitch an offer while I'm trying to land.

Is there an easier way to keep those bastards from calling than to verbally tell them to take me off their call list, or push some button at the end of a long speech to be removed?

Sign up for the federal do not call list.

Realize that any business you do with a company gives them the right to call you or hire an agency to call you on your behalf.

When on the phone log their number, date, time, get the callers name, number, business, address, etc. Then ask to be put on their DNCL. Also request a copy of their do not call policy.

Then if they call again you can sue them in small claims court for $600. Also, if they don't send the letter and they call again, that's another $600. Though when you request the DNC policy and to be added to their DNCL, you have to give them 60 says to update their system before they're legally liable.

www.donotcall.gov
http://killthecall...telemarketers.html


At one point I was getting a lot of calls (thanks to my stupid fucking roommate when we used to split a landline). Anyway I started noticing some patterns on who was calling, did some research to track them down, sent out some letters with legal mumbo jumbo and they stopped. One actually resulted in the owner calling me to apologize. Another resulted in me receiving a certified letter with the company's DNC policy (which you can tell they just typed up because they never have had to send one out before-though required by law upon request). The calls from that company also stopped.


Basically I'm a mean SOB and I got them off my back for 6 months. I'm just starting to get some more calls. If it gets bad I'll fire off another batch of letters.

Long story short, I've never actually sued one. Just some quick googling and sending off a letters while bored at work. Though taking the first step to do so makes them back off quickly.

Trent, are you for hire?

LOL, if you don't mind paying me for my unlicensed law services...sure!

Since telemarketers are calling on your land or cell line, explain that advertising rates on your phone start at $1,500 per minute per call. Would you like to continue your pitch? Mail me a check, please! If they balk, hang up.

My grandma had a telemarketer call her. She said she had to take a pie out of the oven. She kept him on the line for about 10 minutes. She picked up the phone and he was still there, so she hung up on him.

Posted by monster My grandma had a telemarketer call her. She said she had to take a pie out of the oven. She kept him on the line for about 10 minutes. She picked up the phone and he was still there, so she hung up on him.

Right on!

One called from the Toronto Star. She started her pitch and I told her I was not interested. She snapped "And why the hell not?"

My reply before hanging up, "Because Sweetheart, unlike you, I work for a living and can't justify wasting my hard earned cash on that two bit rag you shit heads call a newspaper."

I will admit, that was not one of my more civil moments.

Posted by monster My grandma had a telemarketer call her. She said she had to take a pie out of the oven. She kept him on the line for about 10 minutes. She picked up the phone and he was still there, so she hung up on him.

Your grandma rocks!

I do that shit all the time to telemarkets. "Hang on a minute, I'll go get him..." then put the phone down. It's one of the few ways you can burn these assholes. (Unfortunately I've been getting alot of prerecorded messages lately which makes it harder to hit back.)

I developed software for a telemarketing centre once upon a time, and I learnt that abusing the guy on the phone just makes some poor exploited bastard's job that little bit worse. It's a horrible, soul-destroying job, pay is lousy, and the staff turnover is incredible. Interestingly, some places pay extra for each call that gets to the end of the intro, gets a follow-up, etc.

And of course, being nasty makes no difference whatsoever to the people who operate the telemarketing anyway, so these days I suck it up, let them read out their spiel, then cheerfully ask to be put on the Do Not Call list.

Not really very satisfying, I know

Posted by metawaffle I developed software for a telemarketing centre once upon a time, and I learnt that abusing the guy on the phone just makes some poor exploited bastard's job that little bit worse. It's a horrible, soul-destroying job, pay is lousy, and the staff turnover is incredible. Interestingly, some places pay extra for each call that gets to the end of the intro, gets a follow-up, etc. And of course, being nasty makes no difference whatsoever to the people who operate the telemarketing anyway, so these days I suck it up, let them read out their spiel, then cheerfully ask to be put on the Do Not Call list. Not really very satisfying, I know

I won't answer my cell if I don't know who it is so it solves that problem at least for now. I don't get may telemarketing calls on that, just the home phone.


I agree. It is hard to have to listen to them and sometimes it's just not a good time. Having to recently go look for a new job I know how hard it is to find a decent one. I would rather give the person a few minutes of my time then have them standing in line at the welfare office getting my money for doing nothing.

Posted by Myelin Your grandma rocks! I do that shit all the time to telemarkets. "Hang on a minute, I'll go get him..." then put the phone down. It's one of the few ways you can burn these assholes. (Unfortunately I've been getting alot of prerecorded messages lately which makes it harder to hit back.)

Another variation I've used before (and this is when I'm expecting an important call), is say "Hang on a minute..." but then hang up.

Generally, I would politely decline them and if they remain civil, no problem. However, if the person gets rude with me (like the sweetheart from Toronto Star), or persist, then I get nasty.

At home, they're on my quarter and I resent someone copping the "You will stay there and listen to my spiel" attitude.

I think I've mentioned this before Rainman but if you politely decline (what most people do) your number just goes right back into the cue and the tireless predictive dialer will ring your phone again and again except at different times of the day in hopes of reaching a family member less likely to decline. It's like shoeing a fly away at a picnic. It just keeps coming back for your sandwich until you swat it.

Your best bet (if you're going to say anything) is to ask what company is calling (they must identify themselves) then ask them to put you on their do not call list. "No thank you, not interested" won't stop the calls.

Much like your persistant caller from the newspaper, I lost it on Centennial Windows who have been calling me for years despite repeated requests to stop. They were the subject of my first official complaint via the Canadian DNC centre.

I used to be polite to telemarketers - hey they're just doing their job - but then I came to the realization that they don't care if they are waking up a shiftworker or a napping infant... and most will badger you relentlessly then hang up on your ear once they realize you are not a good lead.

Posted by Myelin Much like your persistant caller from the newspaper, I lost it on Centennial Windows who have been calling me for years despite repeated requests to stop. They were the subject of my first official complaint via the Canadian DNC centre. I used to be polite to telemarketers - hey they're just doing their job - but then I came to the realization that they don't care if they are waking up a shiftworker or a napping infant... and most will badger you relentlessly then hang up on your ear once they realize you are not a good lead.

Years I ago did have a home improvement co. calling when I was working nights. I told them I rent and had no say in improvements but they kept calling. I finally said "What happens if I can't pay after you put the windows in? I just had my car towed away after non-payment, do you take the windows back out?" Really I never had a car taken but they stopped calling me .

Posted by Myelin I think I've mentioned this before Rainman but if you politely decline (what most people do) your number just goes right back into the cue and the tireless predictive dialer will ring your phone again and again except at different times of the day in hopes of reaching a family member less likely to decline. It's like shoeing a fly away at a picnic. It just keeps coming back for your sandwich until you swat it. Your best bet (if you're going to say anything) is to ask what company is calling (they must identify themselves) then ask them to put you on their do not call list. "No thank you, not interested" won't stop the calls. Much like your persistant caller from the newspaper, I lost it on Centennial Windows who have been calling me for years despite repeated requests to stop. They were the subject of my first official complaint via the Canadian DNC centre. I used to be polite to telemarketers - hey they're just doing their job - but then I came to the realization that they don't care if they are waking up a shiftworker or a napping infant... and most will badger you relentlessly then hang up on your ear once they realize you are not a good lead.

Actually, you did and I forgot. (blargh! Brain fart there!).
Strange but after the last time when I freaked out on the phone, I have not received any calls from telemarketers. Hopefully, I swatted that fly!

And thanks for patiently reposting your advice. Next time if I get a call, I will tell them to put me on their do not call list.

Posted by rainman8889 And thanks for patiently reposting your advice. Next time if I get a call, I will tell them to put me on their do not call list.

Well, it happened. Got a call from Capital One. Before 'Doreen' could continue with her spiel, I told her to put me on their 'do not call' list. She said she will and that it will take 30 days for this to take full effect. She advised me that if I get another call from them, to remind them I've asked to be put on their 'do not call' list and they will back off.

Nice feeling too. BP remained normal, took a grand total of 2 minutes and got 'em off my back.

Good stuff.