How do you respond to telemarketers?

[nutella]

Just wondering because I get so many calls from telemarketers despite being placed on the do not call list. Today, I got a persistent little shit, so I did my typical favorite. In summary form, it goes a little bit like this (you may have heard it before, because its pretty classic).

Me: Hello.
Telemarketer: Hi. Would you like to subscribe to this magazine? This magazine... (and then he blabs on for like 2 minutes)

Me: Excuse me, I'm a little busy right now. Can I have your number?
Telemarketer: Sure. (Then he gives me a number, and I'm like, shit, this kinda backfired)

Me: Okay... Is that your number?
Telemarketer: Yes, its the company's number.

Me: Oh, I meant like your PERSONAL number.
Telemarketer: I'm sorry I'm not obliged to give that information.

Me: Why not?
Telemarketer: I don't give strangers my number.

Me: What's the big deal.
Telemarketer: I don't want strangers calling me at home.

Me: See what it feels like... douchebag.

End call...

 

[dirty_harry]

Tell them to give you a second, but never return.

Me: Hello

T: blah blah blah... pause

Me: Yeah can you give me a sec?

T: Sure...

Then you never return. That is the most demoralizing of all rejections for telemarketers. It's like the king insult. Try it.

 

[Destructobot]

I just hang up. Being a telemarketer has to suck enough, I don't need to waste my time making it even worse.

 

[DKAngel]

when they ring work and ask for the manager i say "what manager this is a public phone box you have just called"

 

[zeromac]

I got a call from a telemarketer once

I did what i call the "Reversal"
I tried to sell him something it went like this:

Tele: Hello, would you be interested in-
Me: Hi, how would you be interested in the broomsweeper 3000, only $200 with this special offe-
*Hung up*

 

[BoxShot]

I say no or yes to mean that I mean no to everything then hang up..

 

[Sanoblue]

Me: Hello.
Telemarketer:Hi I'm calling from.... bunch of bull shit...

Me: That's all well and good but i have a question for you.
Telemarketer: Sure. Whats your question?

Me: What Color is your underwear?
Telemarketer: (this is the part where they either hang up, if they happen to actually say a color i continue further)

Me: oh thats so hot... (make sex noises)
Telemarketer: CLICK

 

[Kalisiin]

I act all interested...and ask the guy to hang on while I go get my credit card.

Then, I start the stopwatch and see how long the soul-less vulture will wait without me returning - how long he will wait for me to go get mycredit card.

The current record is 8 minutes, 23 seconds.

During that 8 minutes and 23 seconds...that's a bunch of other people that the telemarketer is not bothering.

If everyone would do this...then telemarketers would have less time to bother people.

 

[Hatsu]

I act all interested...and ask the guy to hang on while I go get my credit card.

Then, I start the stopwatch and see how long the soul-less vulture will wait without me returning - how long he will wait for me to go get mycredit card.

The current record is 8 minutes, 23 seconds.

During that 8 minutes and 23 seconds...that's a bunch of other people that the telemarketer is not bothering.

If everyone would do this...then telemarketers would have less time to bother people.

I agree.

A classic one from me:

Telemarketer: Hi (blabs on about bullshit product)
Me: Fuck you.

 

[syko5150]

If its a number i dont know i just ignore it if its important they leave a message so no telemarketers bother me =P

 

[The Catboy]

I mess with them.
If it's a human I often claim that I am Zuul and only Zuul makes the designs.
Or I just say yes to everything they say.
If it's a recording, I just hangup. Recordings are not much fun to mess with.

 

[rockstar99]

T:says shit
Me:What have you done with John hes dead and the last number calling him was you!!Ill arrest you
T:

Me:Im inspector Dick and ive began tracking you down
T:hangs up

only when its a human

 

[Hadrian]

I try to sell them something.

 

[Hatsu]

I try to sell them something.

We wish that would work.

 

[elixirdream]

they usually catch me at the wrong time

i am having a meeting
i am driving
i am busy, maybe you can try to reach me in another hour or two

 

[iFish]

my dad pays every month or something to be on a list that they are not allowed to call

but when they do call i usally act like im selling something swell

 

[elixirdream]

my dad pays every month or something to be on a list that they are not allowed to call

but when they do call i usally act like im selling something swell

interesting, i do blame those companies that sell our data's to these telemarketers

sometimes, i think is the bank who are selling our private data
how in the world would they know you own what type of credit card...

 

[Kalisiin]

my dad pays every month or something to be on a list that they are not allowed to call

but when they do call i usally act like im selling something swell

interesting, i do blame those companies that sell our data's to these telemarketers

sometimes, i think is the bank who are selling our private data
how in the world would they know you own what type of credit card...

Easy. Anyone can pull up a credit report on another person "for a legitimate business purpose" - and the credit bureaus often play fast and loose with what is...and is not...a legitimate business purpose. Often, the requester does not even have to provide the information as to what the report is being used/requested FOR.

Once that report is in my hands, I can tell you what kinds of credit cards you have, and even the account numbers. I probably know who you work for, and your social security number (if you live in the United States) I can also skiptrace with your known creditors for other information about you...including your unlisted telephone number!

Seriously. Any of you...if I had a copy of your credit report in my hand...even with your name blacked out...I bet I could come back, within 1/2 hour with your name, your Social Security Number, your employer's name, your address, your date of birth, your unlisted telephone number, information on whether you own/rent your current residence - and the account numbers of every credit account you have, plus your checking/savings account numbers, too, if you have those.

And you thought you were safe? Ha.

 

[Elritha]

I'm dull and just tell them I'm not interested, before they blab on and on and waste my time.

Thankfully they have stopped calling since I requested my number be excluded from whatever list/database they use.

 

[Rayder]

We let the answering machine screen all our calls.

Our phone message:

Telemarketers can HANG UP NOW! Everyone else please leave a message.