Telemarketers

[CelesJessa]

We all hate telemarketers, right? Well, I was just remembering this one time my dad recieved a call from a telemarketer a few years ago, and my dad told him he wasn't interested several times.

Now that sounds like every other telemarketer call, but this one wouldn't shut up when my dad said he wasn't interested... so my dad hung up. The telemarketer calls back and we don't answer so he leaves a message on our answering machine. It's been a few years so I don't remember exactly, but it was something around the lines of, "You coward! I could have saved you a ton of money! Just pick up the phone!!"

That is the ONLY time I have ever experienced, or heard of a telemarketer doing that. Does anyone else have any interesting telemarketing experiences? Or are our telemarketers just crazy?

[The Mirror Emperor]

I had only one when I was 7 and that one went as far as cussing to sell his product.

[Dragonsbane]

both of them sound pretty unprofessional....

I remember that my mom kept getting calls from this window company....they always pronounced our last name wrong, and they called every few days. Eventually she told them that my dad was a "Native American enthusiast", and that we lived in a tepee....so no, we didn't have any windows, thanks!:D

lying to telemarketers can be amusing....

[MP37a]

We can always tell when it's a telemarketer that calls. They usually ask for someone but pronounce my last name wrong. We just say they aren't here and they never call back. We've had a few though that did get mouthy.

[Lost in Time]

Whenever I think about Telemarketers, I think of whatever show I saw (I think it was Seinfeld) Where a Telemarketer called and (Thinking Jerry) answered and the caller tried to sell him his item, and then he replyed "Sorry, I'm not interested, but I have an item that I could sell to you" "Um.. no thanks, I don't like to buy stuff over the phone." "Well now you know how I feel!" And hangs up. I thought that was pretty funny, but I haven't tried that... yet.

[Dragonsbane]

a few tricks to tell if a Telemarketer is calling you:

They never use their last names, always refer to themselves by their first name only! (the only other people who do this are little kids)

They always try to be WAY too friendly for a stranger...

If you ask them for their last name ("<insert their first name> what?" works well), they say they're from whichever company makes the product they're trying to sell you. This is the big giveaway, when they admit to being from an organization. At this point, you can tell them you aren't interested and hang up the phone. Just hang up the phone, don't try to be friendly or polite, or they'll take advantage of you.

You know what the only form of life lower than a telemarketer is? A Televangelist.

[Demon with a Glass Hand]

I had a telemarketer attack today. The sad part was she was form a credit card company, and since English was not her first language she stumbled through her introduction.

Suffice to say, I thought she was calling about my credit card that I already have. I thought there was a problem.

So I gave her a bunch of information I shouldn't have before I realized she wasn't from my bank. Suffice to say she wouldn't take no for an answer.

And that's when my roomate told me that Telemarketers don't have the ability to manually hang up on people.

You have to hang up on them.

[Otaku Son]

One of my friends is a former telemarketer. So, when he gets calld by telemarketers, he does reverse-psychology on them. Starts asking them about their benefits and drawbacks, stuff like that. And when he gets called by his former company, he just complete disassembles their attempts to sell stuff.

[Nosferatu]

or not pick up in first place. Nice lil thing my dads set up on my phone... if it's "unknown number" or unknown name.. it politly says. We're sorry we are not accepted blocked name's and numbers at this time, fuck off.

[Living Bobbeh]

Telemarketers can be fun.....When they say your surname incorectly, Just say "Nope, none of them here. Only <Say your surname>'s here." then hang up.

Other than that, go for the classic "Piss off!"

Copying them can also lead to some funny results.

Other than Telemarketers, junkmail is annoying. I got offered a plantinum card, which is better than my parents XD

[Otaku Son]

or not pick up in first place. Nice lil thing my dads set up on my phone... if it's "unknown number" or unknown name.. it politly says. We're sorry we are not accepted blocked name's and numbers at this time, fuck off.
Okay, I can kind of make out what you're typing, but basically this machine will give a rude message in a polite manner to names that, on Caller ID, would come across as Unknown Name. Right? That'd be cool and all, except for the fact that a lot of outside-area names come across as Unknown Name. And if you're in a situation where you've got family all over the country, that wouldn't be too cool.

[Dragonsbane]

One of my friends is a former telemarketer. So, when he gets calld by telemarketers, he does reverse-psychology on them. Starts asking them about their benefits and drawbacks, stuff like that. And when he gets called by his former company, he just complete disassembles their attempts to sell stuff.

he's atoning for his crimes against humanity, then?:p

it's pretty funny to test a telemarketer's patience by pretending to be really stupid, or make fun of them (especially since they never hang up on their own;)), or pretend you're selling something of your own...and they'll stop bothering you, or wish they could! *insert evil grin here*

[Windrift-RPG]

he's atoning for his crimes against humanity, then?:P

it's pretty funny to test a telemarketer's patience by pretending to be really stupid, or make fun of them (especially since they never hang up on their own;)), or pretend you're selling something of your own...and they'll stop bothering you, or wish they could! *insert evil grin here*

I HATE telemarketing and I truly think it should be ILLEGAL. It is a total invasion of privacy and it is unconsented soliciting.

I had to change my phone number just recently because I was getting telemarketing calls from 7 AM all the way til midnight, many calls a day! I would tell them all very nicely to PLEASE remove me from their list and stop calling, as I am NOT interested. And guess what? They would hang up on me, and someone else from their organization would just call back later! This kind of harrassment just simply should not be legal. Not to mention this is on a cell phone so they would be wasting my minutes, and when I had to change my number because of these people, I lost business for my company because many flyers I put out had my old number on it.

[hawkboy204]

Okay, I can kind of make out what you're typing, but basically this machine will give a rude message in a polite manner to names that, on Caller ID, would come across as Unknown Name. Right? That'd be cool and all, except for the fact that a lot of outside-area names come across as Unknown Name. And if you're in a situation where you've got family all over the country, that wouldn't be too cool.

I don't know about ur caller id, but for mine when someone outside the area it usually just says the state they are calling from, like if my uncle in vermont calls is says "Vermont" on the caller id, i dont think it has ever shown unknown when it wasn't a telemarketer.

[Toastburner B]

Hmm...appearently I'm the only one here who tries to be polite.

Seriously...they aren't little demons trying to steal your soul, chances are they are some poor kid trying to get money to go to college or something. And chances are they hate their job anyway, so the last thing they need is someone giving them a hard time. Just be polite, say you're not intrested, and if they keep trying, then just hang up. Don't be a jerk about it. Just think of how you feel when you get a stupid person at your work. It's not any different just because you are talking to them over the phone instead of face-to-face. Telemarketers are just people trying to do a job.

Of course, I'm just saying this 'cause I've had some family who did telemarketing, so I've heard it from the other side, as well.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

And that's when my roomate told me that Telemarketers don't have the ability to manually hang up on people.

You have to hang up on them.

It is possible, you just have to be creative.

Like I was.

One day I was in a playfull mood, and I got a call from a telemarketer.

Of course I wasn't interested in his product, but I decided to have some fun with this guy. I hastilly grabbed a big ol' potato out of a bag in the kitchen, and ran to the sink, which was currently filled with water because I was doing dishes.

This is how the conversation went:

Telemarketer: Good day sir, I am wondering if you are interested in Sprints' new long distance plan.

Me: Oh, I am sorry. You caught me on the crapper right now.

Telemarketer: Pardon me?

Me: The Crapper. You caught me in the middle of the biggest shit ever. But I am interested, so give me your sales pitch.

Telemarketer: Um, okay. Well, the new plan entails a service that no one else provides-

Me: EEEEAAAARRRRRReally? *PLOP*

Telemarketer: Um... is this a bad time?

Me: No no, keep going, I am truely EAAAAIIIIIAAAIIInterested *SPLORSH*

Telemarketer: oh god.

Me: SSSSSSSSSSSSSooooooo, *PLOP* are you doing anything this friday?

Telemarketer: *hangs up*

[Osterbaum]

In my hole life I thnk I've gotten...well very few telemarketing calls. But on that happened just recently was a woman calling from Sonera. This woman was asking me about our internet and after that started asking me what do I think about the Sonera Laajakaista(I think it's like 512kbps and costs like 45€). These faster connections are still very exepensive here in Finland, so I politely told the woman that I am not interested cause of the price. She completely ignores this and says: 'Why don't I call you back tomorrow? Have a good day.' And she hangs up before I get to say something.

Tomorrow she calls me again and it takes me a long long time to explain why I do not want their internet connection. Then she finally stops calling, but someone else from Sonera calls me about the same thing again and what I just explained happens allover again.

Fortunatly after I yelled in the phone a bit they stopped calling.

[Living Bobbeh]

I'll have to try that next time, SAAM

[reality_deviant]

Hanging up on a telemarketer will not do any good, they will dust call back some other time. You must specifically request that they remove your name from the list, and confirm all your information before it can be done. There used to be a telemarketing facility in this town, andI know a lot of people who worked there. They were all just normal dudes trying to put in a day's work in an area where jobs are scarce...they have no right to call you if you don't want to be, but if you could deal with them in a nice way, they'll remember you for years to come as a glowing example of why not all of humanity sucks.

[Meister]

Osterbaum, that reminds me of how recently my ISP called and out of the blue informed me about/offered me their new DSL deal. The solution in that case was a simple one. I bought it. :D

Anyway, John Hargrave (of www.zug.com) deals with telemarketers like this (http://www.zug.com/gab/index.cgi?func=view_thread&thread_id=25628). And like this (http://www.zug.com/gab/index.cgi?func=view_thread&thread_id=31066).

[Osterbaum]

Osterbaum, that reminds me of how recently my ISP called and out of the blue informed me about/offered me their new DSL deal. The solution in that case was a simple one. I bought it.

That is a simple deal. And not a bad one either, but my deal wasnt gonna be that good. It's just so expensive here still. Besides I'm glad with paying Sonera one bill per moth and don't want another. They will go bankrubbed soon anyway...

[Myst]

I got one from someone who I can only assume was middle eastern, named 'Bob' I answered the phone using my mock chinese resteraunt, then transfered to my dad, who thought it was a friend messing with him, and answered in a bad middle eastern accent himself...I feel sorry for the poor guy.
My other technique is to say, 'one moment please' and leave the phone on a counter for 20 minutes or so. If they're still on, I repeat until they hang up, current record 72 minutes. They can't make calls in that time, so they lose money. I know they're just trying to make a living, but still, they can do it without pestering me.

[h4x.m4g3]

SAAM, you just made my day. The tactic that I use is usually to put on a fake act because I hate them with a burning desire. I told them take my name of the list 15 billion times already.

[CheshireThief]

One of my friends was a telemarketer for a while. He hated the job so he never took it seriously. One day, he called this lady in Tennessee, and instead of going through the normal pitch, he convinced her that he was from a corporation that wanted to come to her house and dig for Polynesian artifacts. They needed her approval so they could come lift her house on stilts and dig underneath it. He got monitored by his supervisor on that call, and got fired afterwards, but it was hilarious. Why the hell did that woman in Tennessee think there would be Polynesian artifacts buried in her yard?

(Just thought I'd post from the opposite side of the telemarketer thing, heh.)

[Dragonsbane]

here's one I sometimes use....I pretend to be devoutly religious, and "attempt" to convert them. Think "creepy televangelist" style

"God wants you to send me money! Quit your job and give me your possessions!" that sort of thing...

[Otaku Son]

My other technique is to say, 'one moment please' and leave the phone on a counter for 20 minutes or so. If they're still on, I repeat until they hang up, current record 72 minutes. They can't make calls in that time, so they lose money. I know they're just trying to make a living, but still, they can do it without pestering me.They're losing money in two ways, actually. One is that they aren't able to make any call during that time frame, and the other is that it costs the company money to call people. So...

Killer Instinct Announcer: "Double Whammie."

[Dona Maria]

They're losing money in two ways, actually. One is that they aren't able to make any call during that time frame, and the other is that it costs the company money to call people. So...

Killer Instinct Announcer: "Double Whammie."

Actually, you're making the telemarketer money because they get paid for system time. I used to work for MBNA and was satan's apprentice for 4 months until the time nazi's got on my nerves.

Be nice to telemarketer's because they're probably just a starving college kid like you trying to make rent.

[Toffeecake]

Did anybody sign up on that government-do-not-call list? That is, anyone in the United States? Because that's the most wonderful thing the government has ever done.

[The Mirror Emperor]

Amen. After that one call I described before my parents signed up for it. I thought they passed a law driving telemarketers out of business, though.

[h4x.m4g3]

Amen. After that one call I described before my parents signed up for it. I thought they passed a law driving telemarketers out of business, though.
Yes I believe the telemarketers got pissed that it was passed and tried to shoot it down the whole way through

[Dragonsbane]

Actually, you're making the telemarketer money because they get paid for system time. I used to work for MBNA and was satan's apprentice for 4 months until the time nazi's got on my nerves.

Be nice to telemarketer's because they're probably just a starving college kid like you trying to make rent.

EVIL!!!! Someone get a torch and some pitchforks! *tries to ward her off with a cross*

[Stabbitty Death]

Telemarketers are people? Hatefull lies I say! But really, they are really annoying. But I can understand it if they are starving college kids, but if they are middle aged, overwieght slobs who pester people over the phone because they are too lazy too work, then I get pissed.

[Toffeecake]

How can you tell the difference?

I'm a bit torn on the issue, since I had a sales job myself until last month. The thing that aggravated me was when people acted like I was just trying to take their money, which, admittedly, I was. But they didn't understand that I was just doing my job. On the other hand, it annoys me when I encounter pushy salespeople. So there's the dilemma: Push, or be pushed?

[Dragonsbane]

push to avoid being pushed....unless you're the one selling something, in which case you should try NOT to be annoying and pushy.

[Otaku Son]

Actually, you're making the telemarketer money because they get paid for system time. I used to work for MBNA and was satan's apprentice for 4 months until the time nazi's got on my nerves.

Be nice to telemarketer's because they're probably just a starving college kid like you trying to make rent.
I was refering to the company as a whole. However, if the telemarketer itself is getting paid for the amount of time spent on the phone, then the company is losing thrice as much money: 1x to pay the employee, 2x to pay the phone bill, 3x because of not selling their product.

K.I. Announcer: "Triple Hurt."

[Dragonsbane]

so the starving college kids get money, while the satanic telemarketing corporation loses money.....whoever invented that method of ignoring telemarketers deserves to be given a medal. A shiny medal.

[Dona Maria]

I was refering to the company as a whole. However, if the telemarketer itself is getting paid for the amount of time spent on the phone, then the company is losing thrice as much money: 1x to pay the employee, 2x to pay the phone bill, 3x because of not selling their product

considering we transfered over a million dollars a month per marketer, thereby automatically activating those accounts so they could begin to collect interest, they lost nothing by us sitting on the phone calmly explaining to esl students what we were trying to do. sorry otaku, i'm still right.

[Dragonsbane]

EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dammit, where's a paladin when you need one?! I need a "Smite Telemarketer" ability....

[Otaku Son]

considering we transfered over a million dollars a month per marketer, thereby automatically activating those accounts so they could begin to collect interest, they lost nothing by us sitting on the phone calmly explaining to esl students what we were trying to do. sorry otaku, i'm still right.
Sorry, Dona, I'm still confused. I've never been a telemarketer so some of that terminology you used is the same as Japanese is to me: I understand some of it, but a lot of it is still in the dark.

[shiney]

Just let it go. Fact is, sitting on the phone doesn't matter, the only difference is the telemarketer themselves get more money. Just less commissions.

That being said, Dragonsbane, knock off the retarded spamming before you get yourself a ban. They're like a cool glass of water to me, and this forum is a hot summer day.

[The Infallible]

Heres how my Dad handles a telemarketer

Telemaketer: Hi this is Brian calling from Veri-
Dad: Brian! From College, Oh my god its been a long time
Telemarketer: I think you have me mistaken with some one else
Dad: Hows your wife? your still married right, wow we have to get together some time
Telemarketer: Sir, you have me confused with someone else
Dad: Oh sorry *hangs up phone*

no matter what their name or who theyre calling from he does the same thing

but no more telemarketers for me to mess with, we're on the do not call list YAY!

[Death Dealer]

There is one comedian that had a skit about dealing with Telemarketers...here it is (to my memory).

Comed: I like to play a game called "Make the Telemarketer hang up before you." Here's an example.

Tele: Hello, is your wife home?
Comed: She's in the basement.
Tele: Oh, can she come to the phone?
Comed: I'm afraid not, I killed her and buried her in the basement.

*click*

Comed: Though one time, they actually didn't hang up after that.

Tele: Why would you do a thing like that?
Comed: I didn't want the neighbors to see me burying her in the back yard.

*click*

[darkt0aster]

For a quick fix, I find that this works well:
(lay on the hick/redneck accent as heavy as you can)
"Jim-bo's corpse damagin' service, you bag 'em, we drag 'em ... how may I help you?"

Either that or try to order a pizza from them.

Telemarketer: Hello, may I please speak to Mr.....*
Me: Umm yeah. I'd like to order a large pepperoni deep dish, two orders of breadsticks and a 2-liter pepsi. I've got a coupon you guys put out in the--"
Telemarketer: "excuse me sir, I think that--
Me: Let me finish. I've got this coupon here for 20% off when you order a pizza with a 2-liter, but it expired yesterday, can I still use it?
Telemarketer: I think that there's been some mistake--
Me: Yeah I was wondering why you guys were calling me. Isn't it normal for the customer to call the pizza place?
Telemarketer: This isn't--
Me: No matter. If you've got my number, you've obviously got my address in your computer. Just send it there. Bye!

*hesitation since most people in their normal life span never have to say anything containing "dv" ... it's great to be Czech!

[Dragonsbane]

I just got called by someone with a really, really thick accent......so thick I couldn't tell what the heck he was saying other than "I am (impossible to understand name) with (incomprehensible organization name)"

I just hung up, he could barely speak English and I felt kinda sorry for him...

[chickens_rock]

i mess with their heads... we get fewer calls now... i think its because i scare them *evil grin* i order pizzas from them, when they ask for the man or woman of the house i say sorry wrong number, we already have too many doors and windos that i'm stockpiling them in the garage and i even asked if one wanted to buy a used shoe... or when i asked them for more information seeming interested and then i asked them to repeat it as i was trying to fall asleep to their boring talk.... ah good times

[Klyco]

Whenever I think about Telemarketers, I think of whatever show I saw (I think it was Seinfeld) Where a Telemarketer called and (Thinking Jerry) answered and the caller tried to sell him his item, and then he replyed "Sorry, I'm not interested, but I have an item that I could sell to you" "Um.. no thanks, I don't like to buy stuff over the phone." "Well now you know how I feel!" And hangs up. I thought that was pretty funny, but I haven't tried that... yet.

Actually, he said "Im a little busy right now. How bout you give me your home number and I'll call you back? You cant? Oh you dont like people calling you durring dinner then? Now you know how I feel"

I want to try that 1 day.

[Darth SS]

I feel a bit guilty for some of the stuff I do.

One time I screamed into the phone, "THE MONKEYS! THEY'RE EATING MY EYES! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET SWAT DOWN HERE!!"

The other constants are to use my "mafia" voice, and start talking before they do. Simply saying, "Eh, Johnny. Is Carlos dead? You did remember the bag his head, right?"

Um...what else do I do...

Blow up a plastic bag, then yell, "Oh god, no, no I'm sorry...NO!" then pop it. That's always fun.

Wait until they finish their speal and ask, "Will you be my friend?"

Pick up the phone and sound angry, and start going, "I ordered that damn pizza a bloody hour ago. WHERE THE HELL IS MY PIZZA PUNK!? I BETTER BE GETTING IT FOR FREE!"

Or I sometimes advertise something of my own. That's always a kick.

And sometimes, I say, "Sorry sir, but you've dialed the correct number."

Or, "THERE'S A BOMB IN HERE!"

Then finally, since I'm canadian and our government is easy on the "Muttering threats" law, I say, "I'm going to kiiiill you." *click*


In hind-sight, none of those are very nice.

[Klyco]

Telemarketer: Good evening si...

Me: (breathes into the phone) Luke, obi wan never told you about your father did?

Telemarketer: Um.. excus..

Me: Luke, I am your Father. (breathes)

Me as luke: DADDY! YOU NEVER LOVED ME

[Dona Maria]

ah yes, all the "pranks" callers would try to pull. i don't think the general public realizes that a marketer gets that kind of crap all the time so it doesn't phase them. that and it's usually the same stuff over and over. get's boring if you ask me. now, if you want a challenge, try to get the marketer to laugh. or hell, just talk to them. i've had some of the most interesting conversations with random people.

give 'em a break humans, they're just doing their job.

[Archbio]

I don't know if that kind of things phases them, but it worked a few times to get them to hang up with minimum mental stress.

I know they're being paid to do it, but I don't feel like remuneration makes harassment any better.

(Edited for nonsense.)

[Dragonsbane]

ah yes, all the "pranks" callers would try to pull. i don't think the general public realizes that a marketer gets that kind of crap all the time so it doesn't phase them. that and it's usually the same stuff over and over. get's boring if you ask me. now, if you want a challenge, try to get the marketer to laugh. or hell, just talk to them. i've had some of the most interesting conversations with random people.

give 'em a break humans, they're just doing their job.

and I suppose mass murderers and terrorists are also doing their jobs? Saddam Hussein's soldiers were just "doing their jobs" when they gassed the Kurds? That's not really much of an excuse...

seriously, the "N-no! I'm sorry! DON'T DO IT!!!!" routine, followed by detonating a little bit of black powder (or, in my case, popping a paper bag) is one of my personal favorites.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

You could always just ask them to talk dirty to ya...

nothing works better than the creepy old man routine.

Edit: and as to that Popping the Bag routine, I did that with a chip bag in my school cafeteria once. It was so loud that I had thought I went deaf. Turns out the entire school sat in silence for a few seconds after I did that, so that was a relief. For days afterwards, people were trying to recreate that moment, but my glory will remain engraved in history forever. That famous quote is mine, in my finest our I stood amongst the masses and said, "Oh My GOD! I'VE GONE DEAF!"

Sniffle. good times.

[chickens_rock]

i've gotten some long convos with the telemarketers before, i also got one to hold while i ate dinner, i got back and we talked about my dinner.. great fun

[Klyco]

Dragonsbane: Nice come back (though it was more proving a point)

Chickens-Rock: you know what you should do? If they call next time ask them to hold while your eating dinner, but dont un hold them. Just let them sit there while you watch T.V. and go to bed. See how long they stay on till they give up.

[Toastburner B]

I'm one of the few who just say leave the poor people alone. They bug you that much, just hang up when they say "I'm calling on behalf of...". See? It's a lot easier, takes up less time, and the 19 year old on the other side of the line doesn't think you're a complete jerk.

Seriously, most people I know who have been telemarketers didn't like their job already, and people being jerks don't really help. I remember a while ago, started a thread of how people were such jerks to them when they worked in retail or whatever.

Guess what? Same thing, but over a phone as compared to face-to-face. Which, it seems, makes it okay, or even "cool" and "funny". If I said I went up to a casiher at Target, and went said something stupid, and generally bugged the heck out of them, you guys would call me an idiot. However, I do it to a telemarketer, it's "funny".

Just try to look at it from their side. Their some college kid trying to make tution or rent who has heard whatever you guys have come up with a hundred times.

[Archbio]

There's one big difference between retail and telemarketing.

Edit: I think you can just guess what it is

[Toastburner B]

Yes, I know, retail you go to, and telemarketers come to you, but it still doesn't justify being a jerk, IMHO.

[Archbio]

It's not being a jerk if you do the exact same thing they do, without the mulitple calls and the occasional insult.

[Toastburner B]

I disagree.

Not being a jerk in this situation would equal saying "no thank you" and hanging up. Saying "No thank you, and please put me on your 'do not call list'"(they are required by law to do this if you request it), and hanging up would be defined as not being a jerk. Or even just hanging up. This is what I do, and it hasn't failed me yet.

[Archbio]

Is that 'no call list' an international thing? I've never used that, but hanging up alone doesn't always work.

I still disagree, if they call and they don't want to hang up, well they'll just have to hear my own sales pitch.

But on the other hand, maybe I was led to think hanging up on someone was the jerky thing to do.

[Toastburner B]

Is that 'no call list' an international thing? I've never used that, but hanging up alone doesn't always work.

I don't it's international. I didn't even think of that.

I still disagree, if they call and they don't want to hang up, well they'll just have to hear my own sales pitch.

::shrugs:: To each their own, I guess.


But on the other hand, maybe I was led to think hanging up on someone was the jerky thing to do.

Well, IMO, its less jerky than messing with them.

Meh, guess I'm going to change anyone's mind...just don't go too extreme on them, eh?

[Dragonsbane]

I'm one of the few who just say leave the poor people alone. They bug you that much, just hang up when they say "I'm calling on behalf of...". See? It's a lot easier, takes up less time, and the 19 year old on the other side of the line doesn't think you're a complete jerk.

Seriously, most people I know who have been telemarketers didn't like their job already, and people being jerks don't really help. I remember a while ago, started a thread of how people were such jerks to them when they worked in retail or whatever.

Guess what? Same thing, but over a phone as compared to face-to-face. Which, it seems, makes it okay, or even "cool" and "funny". If I said I went up to a casiher at Target, and went said something stupid, and generally bugged the heck out of them, you guys would call me an idiot. However, I do it to a telemarketer, it's "funny".

Just try to look at it from their side. Their some college kid trying to make tution or rent who has heard whatever you guys have come up with a hundred times.

do cashiers at Target call your house at 4:00 AM to try and sell you insurance? Cashiers and other people in retail don't call your house and bother you....telemarketers do.

[Dona Maria]

don't exagerate dragon. nobody's calling at 4 am. in fact, i think the hours we were allowed to call were between 9am - 9 pm. i dunno, it's been awhile.

[Mashirosen]

I'm with Toastburner. If they annoy you that badly, get yourself on the Do Not Call List and shut up already. I swear, every would-be wit who's actually missing half thinks it's open mike night at the Ha Ha House the minute you put a phone with a telemarketer on the other end in their hands.

Finally, it's page limit time. Don't open a new one, please.