Guy calls, I answer with my name, and he asks to speak to the owner, then he realizes he is speaking to the owner since my name matches the company name, and tells me a nice young man named (somebody) will be over at 1 pm to explain their (whatever) services, and it will only take five minutes. I make it clear in my deepest most threatening voice that he better not be here at 1 pm, and he replies okay, then how about 5 pm. I repeat my message, which verges on a threat. As I was hanging up he was busy pleading it only takes five minutes, as my wife rushed in to find out who I'm warning he better not show up.
I do hope there is a special place in Hades reserved for these people.
"I'm sorry, I am giving the cat an enema" usually stumps them.
I new someone about 30 years ago that was down right mean to tele markerters. If they were selling windows or siding, he would say something in his best tearfull voice "my house burned down last week". This usually sent them packing.
Bruce Small, post: 379609, member: 1201 wrote: Guy calls, I answer with my name, and he asks to speak to the owner, then he realizes he is speaking to the owner since my name matches the company name, and tells me a nice young man named (somebody) will be over at 1 pm to explain their (whatever) services, and it will only take five minutes. I make it clear in my deepest most threatening voice that he better not be here at 1 pm, and he replies okay, then how about 5 pm. I repeat my message, which verges on a threat. As I was hanging up he was busy pleading it only takes five minutes, as my wife rushed in to find out who I'm warning he better not show up.
I do ho hope there is a special place in Hades reserved for these people.
My brother-in-law was having a very bad day(tobacco farmer) when a lightning rod salesman drove up. He asked how things were going. Brother -in-law said he was going to the house to shoot himself and wandered who to take with him! Never saw the man again.
I think Tom Mabe's "murder scene" response to a telemarketer tops them all- Google it if you aren't familiar...
The only superior evidence is that which you haven't yet found.
When an unfamiliar number shows up on my caller ID I answer with my best DJ voice, "Thanks for calling 'Chat Time', you're on the air!"
Thins the herd quickly.
SellmanA, post: 379632, member: 8564 wrote: I think Tom Mabe's "murder scene" response to a telemarketer tops them all- Google it if you aren't familiar...
Tom Mabe is awesome. Go to his Facebook page and check out where he pranked Terry Bradshaw.
paden cash, post: 379634, member: 20 wrote: When an unfamiliar number shows up on my caller ID I answer with my best DJ voice, "Thanks for calling 'Chat Time', you're on the air!"
Thins the herd quickly.
I like to answer the phone "KMRN, You are on the air". after a very short pause say, "Militia Radio Network, KMRN, You are on the air"
James
I'm usually not quick enough to think of a prank right when I get the call, but you do need to learn to just say "no". Trying to be polite and saying "I'm busy right now (or whenever they want to come by). just gets that reaction of when would be a good time. You absolutely need to tell them that you aren't interested and don't call back. They try to engage you anyway, and you need to tell them no and hang up. My wife gets suckered in to someone that won't quit, and ends up very angry.
You don't want to let this kind of call get your blood-pressure up.
Tom Adams, post: 379664, member: 7285 wrote: I'm usually not quick enough to think of a prank right when I get the call, but you do need to learn to just say "no". Trying to be polite and saying "I'm busy right now (or whenever they want to come by). just gets that reaction of when would be a good time. You absolutely need to tell them that you aren't interested and don't call back. They try to engage you anyway, and you need to tell them no and hang up. My wife gets suckered in to someone that won't quit, and ends up very angry.
You don't want to let this kind of call get your blood-pressure up.
Start out telling them that the call is being recorded for quality purposes and then that you bill your time at $275/hr and if they accept those charges. If they haven't hung up by that time ask for their credit card number.
My daughter answered one once, telling the guy that I wasn't there. When they asked when I might be back she told them she wasn't really sure, that I had entered the witness protection program about a month ago and that no one has heard from me since. It worked.
What part of the Do Not Call list do you not understand? Can I have your full name, address and social security number for my FCC report?
Usually the line then is crickets.
When I do make the mistake of answering a TeleMarket call, I usually shift to the political implications of their cause and where their monies probably go and that they should probably start recording everyone where they work and become an informant to save themselves from jail.
Most repeat calls are from the police wanting money for some cause they lying about.
90% of the time I simply hang up.
Nate The Surveyor, post: 379611, member: 291 wrote: "I'm sorry, I am giving the cat an enema" usually stumps them.
err can you spell that please? I can hear them say
I was once a telemarketer back in my early years when I couldn't find work doing much of anything else and the bills had to get paid because it beat being homeless, so I try and be polite and tell them they're probably just wasting their time on me and they'd probably be better off dialing the next number and I sincerely wish them a nice day. It's about one of the suckiest, potentially most depressing jobs I've ever had, but that said, I was darn good at it, rejection is just part of the deal and it's a numbers game. Surveying is way more fun, though the first job listing for 'surveyors' I answered so many years ago, turned out was for a telemarketing outfit! :p
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.