My ploy is to kepp interrupting them and telling them to please hang on. After about 10-15 min. of this, I ask them, “Now tell me, how many people could you have called if you hadn’t been interrupting my day?” Usually followed by a resounding CLICK!
Brilliant idea! I usually speak back to the telemarketers in Spanish, and when a Spanish-speaking marketer comes on I switch to Catalan (the little I know).
I pretend I like the product, and when they ask me for the credit card #, I hang up right in the middle. They call right back, of course, and I pretend it’s a completely different house, and again I pretend I like the product, and when I give my credit card #, again I hang up in the middle.So far, they’ve called back 4 times before getting the prank.
I take a direct approach — (in a nice, friendly voice) “Hello, thank you for calling, but I’ not interested. Goodbye.” But I also liked Seinfeld’s approach, when he asked for the caller’s home phone number and promised he’d call him/her back there late in the evening..
Similar to Teddyr, I just ask them to hold on one second, set the phone down, and go about my day. About 10 minutes later I go back to the phone and hang it up. Minimal effort on my part required.
There are a lot of ways to deal with TMs. The original ones above, foreign language, please hold, are kind of funny. To curse someone or burst their eardrum and LOL about it though just seems cruel. If they are working to support their families, what makes them, as the one who cannot spell the word “off” said, useless schmuck? I know they can be a pain at times, but c’mon, if you prick them, do they not bleed? No need to dehumanize them.
I use the national do not call listing. I warn them when they call, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. I put one re-finance company out of business for daring me to do something. They lost.
oranaiche over 12 years ago
Brilliant!
teddyr over 12 years ago
My ploy is to kepp interrupting them and telling them to please hang on. After about 10-15 min. of this, I ask them, “Now tell me, how many people could you have called if you hadn’t been interrupting my day?” Usually followed by a resounding CLICK!
GSJohnson over 12 years ago
Brilliant idea! I usually speak back to the telemarketers in Spanish, and when a Spanish-speaking marketer comes on I switch to Catalan (the little I know).
Larry Miller Premium Member over 12 years ago
It was nice when my only listed number was my modem line back in the pre-DSL days.
Kadedee over 12 years ago
That is funny, because I start speaking in French. Bonjour! Qui est? Comment vas tu?Same thing, they hang up. LOL
i_am_the_jam over 12 years ago
I pretend I like the product, and when they ask me for the credit card #, I hang up right in the middle. They call right back, of course, and I pretend it’s a completely different house, and again I pretend I like the product, and when I give my credit card #, again I hang up in the middle.So far, they’ve called back 4 times before getting the prank.
rhmaustin over 12 years ago
I take a direct approach — (in a nice, friendly voice) “Hello, thank you for calling, but I’ not interested. Goodbye.” But I also liked Seinfeld’s approach, when he asked for the caller’s home phone number and promised he’d call him/her back there late in the evening..
fishbulb239 over 12 years ago
Similar to Teddyr, I just ask them to hold on one second, set the phone down, and go about my day. About 10 minutes later I go back to the phone and hang it up. Minimal effort on my part required.
Jeff0811 over 12 years ago
There are a lot of ways to deal with TMs. The original ones above, foreign language, please hold, are kind of funny. To curse someone or burst their eardrum and LOL about it though just seems cruel. If they are working to support their families, what makes them, as the one who cannot spell the word “off” said, useless schmuck? I know they can be a pain at times, but c’mon, if you prick them, do they not bleed? No need to dehumanize them.
dougdash over 12 years ago
I use the national do not call listing. I warn them when they call, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. I put one re-finance company out of business for daring me to do something. They lost.