Telemarketing Survey

[c9]

No no! Don't hang up! I'm wondering what you do, if anything, to combat telemarketing calls in your home.

1. listen to the whole spiel, then say no as much as necessary
2. hang up once they say something to show it's telemarketing
3. hang up when nobody says "Hi!" when you answer (i.e. computer is routing call because you answered)
4. never answer the phone
5. at first opportunity, ask to be removed from call list
6. remove your number from the call list because you work at the telemarketing company
7. use complicated math equations to get them to stop bugging you
8. other

Comments

A & H

[putaindemerde.livejournal.com]

When they get to a point in their shpiel and I know I'm not interested in what they're selling/asking/whatever, I say, "No thanks" or "Sorry, I'm really not interested" followed by "No, really, I'm not. I'm sorry. Thank you. Bye now."

When they don't get the point, I play the rude card. "I guess you're not hearing me. I'm not interested. Thank you. Bye now." That's when I hang up.

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

D. Never answer the phone. I've caller ID and if it displays some 1-800 number or anything I don't recognize I don't bother answering. I feel no guilt, if it's important they can leave me a message and I'll consider returning the call :P Plus no one ever calls me so when the phone rings I know it's more than likely not really for me.

Re: A & H

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

I love your icon!

[ex-halfwitte432.livejournal.com]

Well, the EGBG counterscript...
http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/counterscript.html

and this morning some guy called for Mrs. Mollison and I said:
"Honey, I'm sorry, but Mrs. Mollison is never going to exist." and then hung up.

[joecdn.livejournal.com]

I think I saw this in an email once, but if you pick up and nobody says hello, and you know that it's one of those computer generated machines....if you start hitting the # key over and over again as many times as you can - it'll fuck the computer up, and they'll remove the problematic number from their lists (ie - your phone #). I've never done this myself though - cause I'm always a sucker for saying hello more than once LOL.

[c9.livejournal.com]

I forgot to include that as an option. I heard it for the first time at work yesterday, from someone who would quite happily spread unverified strategies like that. I wonder if it's true.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when we see 1-8xx-xxx-xxxx it's not going to be for us, but the ringing phone will annoy me more than answering, so I keep doing it. *sigh*

[c9.livejournal.com]

That counterscript is SO cool. Mostly because I love diagrams, but the fucking with them a bit is fun too. I'd hate it if that got pulled on a friend stuck doing a telejob though.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Tell them it's a cell # - it's illegal (in the US anyway) to telemarket to cell numbers because you're paying for the call.

That seems to have worked for me (though, for me it really is a cell # 'cause I don't have a landline).

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

What the Jennifer Love Hewitt! See the ringing of the phone is the best part because it's my message to the telemarketers: "I'm letting it ring and there's nothing you can do about it!"

[c9.livejournal.com]

A strategy (having only a cell, I mean) that I may try soon.

[saviolo.livejournal.com]

My favourite method was ripped off from Adbusters Magazine.

A writer for the San Francisco Chronicle has proposed "Three Little Words," based on his brief experience in a telemarketing operation. The words are "Hold on, please." Saying this while putting down your phone and walking away instead of hanging up would make each telemarketing call so time-consuming that those boiler rooms would grind to a halt.
-Ami Greener

[c9.livejournal.com]

I hate to ruin any fun you derive, but it's just a computer calling you, no people are involved until you say hello...

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Having a cell is waaaaay less expensive for me than having a landline. Not sure how the landline/cell rates compare in Canada though. And since you're a two person household...

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

Permit me to revise my thesis...

"'I'm letting it ring and there's nothing you can do about it.' That's me sending a message to the establishment."

Better?

[c9.livejournal.com]

Oooo, nasty!

[c9.livejournal.com]

If we went for contracted plans, one phone each would cost us a minimum of $60 per month. Our landline costs only $30ish. But I think it all comes out in the wash, so to speak. You just get the deals to be had in whatever direction, and you end up spending a small fortune cause that's the only way for the companies involved to stay in business.

[ex-halfwitte432.livejournal.com]

Meh, it's better than the abusive customers who won't let you off the phone but instead stream what seems like vile green goo through the phone line, making you feel all dirty and sad.

[jdhorner.livejournal.com]

exactly what he said.

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

Who uses the phone anyway? I read this great piece one time set with the premise that computers and e-mail came first, and then the telephone was invented, "Look, honey, with the phone you can now hear the person you're talking with! What will they think of next."

I like your tattoo, btw..

Re: A & H

[putaindemerde.livejournal.com]

I keep hearing that LOL ... it's one of my favorites :-) I'd give it to you, but I'm a bit hooked on it...

[jdhorner.livejournal.com]

right!

and i suppose i have to show the others now...
http://jdhorner.homeip.net:8080/LJ/tats/tats.html

[heartovmidnight.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine hands the phone to her 4 year old child who loves to talk.

Apparently telemarkets can't hang up unless they're being verbally abused or something. :)

Re: A & H

[msvu20.livejournal.com]

I musn't spoil Miss Scarlet's fun. Treat her well.

Re: A & H

[putaindemerde.livejournal.com]

Oh, I always do. :-)