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chris68
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Spitfire I'm with you on the phone calls issue. Matter of fact I was just snookered into something that is coming back to haunt me. Win a jeep liberty deal. Now this was months and months ago at the mall here in town and they are now calling me regarding a key which I have to drive about 2 hours to get to and listen to a 90 minute sales pitch. DH took the phone call so now she has to call back to talk to me and I have to politely tell her no thank you. Live and learn I suppose. I got a good lecture on this beleive me. Now I know and will avoid that stuff. Yes we are unlisted as well, but fell for it harmlessly I suppose. But your right about the calling during dinner. NYS has this no call list that we signed up for when it first came out. So far I haven't gotten any sales calls, not even from my credit card company that used to call during dinner asking to sell me insurance. They snag ya cause it's always about your account. Used to catch me every single time. Frustrating! Chris68
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winkiebear
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By federal law, if you tell a telemarketer to put you on their "Do Not Solicit" list, they must comply. Sometimes this process can take up to 8 weeks, so you may get phone calls in the meantime. Just continue to say the same thing - put me on your Do Not Call list.
If you STILL get phone calls from the same company, you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Congress is working on getting a nationwide DNS list - once that is in place, you won't have to worry about these phone calls at all.
  winkiebear Deskdemon Editorial Board Member |
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dharma
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Usually, the computer dials the numbers, not the telemarketer. I find the "calling during dinner time" mumbo jumbo quite amusing. Maybe you should tell them to get their crystal balls out of the closet so they know next time.
Just saying "no, thank you" or hanging up works for me.
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countrigal
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Like telemarketers aren't bad enough on their own, what I'm now running into is the phone ringing, me answering to hear a tone, then a recorded message asking me to "please hold for an important call". Excuse me?? You're going to call me unsolicited and then have some computer put me on hold for you to get to? After falling for the "important call" line the first couple of times, hubby and I now simply hang up when the computer starts its spiel. I can handle the person much better than the computer, though I can be rude to the computer without regrets and I'm normally fair but firm with the person.
CountriGal
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laundryhater
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For me it's not so much the calling during dinner time. I don't want them to call at anytime period. If I want to buy something from them I will look them up in the yellow pages and call them. Just like they probably don't want customers calling them at home for customer support issues, I don't want them calling me at home trying to sell me something.
There are other ways to advertise your products - T.V. commercials, newspaper ads, yellow pages, billboards.
And don't even think about putting a flyer on my windsheild either!
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laundryhater
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They shouldn't need crystal balls to avoid dinner times. A working knowledge of time zones would help.
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bethanial
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I think it was Dateline did a show just this week on telemarketing, and they were saying how most companies don't even keep a DNS list -- yes, they are supposed to, but it's not done because it's "not realistic" to do so.
Hubby and I had privacy director on our phone (couple dollars a month through the phone company), but took it off to save a little money (every penny does count). Let me tell you, it does make a HUGE difference in the number of calls we get. We did keep caller ID, and I just don't answer if it's unknown name/number. If it's truly important, the caller will leave a message and I can call back. That's why I have caller ID and an answering machine!
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winkiebear
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I have to jump in here and say that there are actually LEGITIMATE telemarketing companies - for instance, your long distance providers, your credit card companies, your BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
All these industries maintain a list of thier clients/customers. Read the privacy policy on all these things - you have given them permission to sell your name to telemarketing companies.
When these institutions sell lists, they are putting their company's integrity on the line - they are TRUSTING the telemarketing company to be honest and forthright, and most of all, compliant with federal laws regarding telemarketing.
The institutions make money when a consumer buys a product as a result of a phone call from their list. It's a common practice.
The companies that deem DNS lists 'not realistic' are the companies that give ALL telemarketers a bad name - there are LEGITIMATE, HONEST, companies that sell products via phone.
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andream
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hey you guys should be over here, they send you TEXT Messages on your cell phone. In fact it's a huge business to GET mobile phone numbers from people, (and they have to be given voluntarily). I dont get very many unsolicited phone calls since being over here either, maybe cause my number is not in wide enough circulation yet, though Im still getting junk email to my DD account from the US, and you all know the best way to kill a telemarketer is to have a little fun. Ask for THEIR home numbers so that you can call back during dinner.....
Usually I say something like "look, I know you're doing a job and I thank you for calling but I'm not interested." as long as that does the trick,, no worries, but ohhhh baby let them refuse to give up, I can make the poodle in the copier schtick look like preschool, I can fire back questions as fast as they can ask them. Who's you long distance provider? Why do you want to know? Are you stalking me? Why do you care? What's in it for me? It's a southern thing I guess,,, I'd rather hang up laughing than mad....
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laundryhater
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I'm with Andrea.
I always politely say "no, not interested" until they ignore me and keep talking. Then it's time to get downright rude and yell, "Can't you hear? I said NO! Let me speak to your supervisor now!" Then I tell supervisor that the employee did not listen to me, to train them better and to please take me off the call list.
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Jackie G
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Agree with all above. I hate 'em too. Here's a funny story though. Our local radio station has a brilliant breakfast show and the host is known for windups. People email him with info on folk who are bugged by various things. I missed this when it first went out, but it replayed this morning. This guy was called by the DJ (who puts on umpteen different voices including an old lady of 89!) and said no to double glazing, triple glazing, a conservatory, a new pool, a new kitchen, new bathroom - you name it. It was hilarious. When the guy said stop calling me, I live in a new house, the DJ said to him, but you were a referral from X X and mentioned (obviously) his friend's name. He still didn't twig but said 'Who is this?' and when the DJ revealed himself, he apologised for swearing (obviously we just get the bleeps!) and being such a pillock on air! It was very very funny and certainly got my Friday morning off to a good start!  Jackie www.iqps.org
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