Be nice to telemarketers.......

[bcdphie]

For the most part I don't have a problem with telemarketers, they are annoying, yes and always call at the worst time, but I just say thank you, I'm not interested and they thank me for my time and hang up.

Of course there's always the few who persist, usually charities looking for donations. I actually had some guy collecting money for children in africa get mad at me for not donating. And my alma mater had the nerve to ask me why I wouldn't donate - my money matters and reasons for not donating are no one's business but my own.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by ADqtPiMel
Sure, they're annoying, but they're just doing their job.

Eh, I don't agree. I mean, I'm not about to be rude to anyone necessarily, but if they're going to take a telemarketing job, they should be prepared to accept the consequences. Nobody likes a telemarketer, so they need to just deal or get a different job.

I don't have a home phone -- just a cell phone, so I don't get telemarketing calls. If they ever do call on my cell, they're going to get a nice little verbal smackdown because homegirl ain't wastin' minutes on that shit.

[aephi alum]

I hate telemarketing calls - but I try not to take it out on the telemarketer. I just remind them that I'm on the federal and state do-not-call lists, I'm not interested in whatever they're selling, please don't call me again. If they keep going on I just hang up (quietly - I don't slam the receiver down).

The do-not-call list doesn't prevent charitable organizations from calling. When they call, I tell them to send me something in the mail and I'll review it. I won't commit to a dollar amount on the phone, nor will I give out my credit card number on the phone if I did not place the call (duh!).

I also have a rule: If I'm eating, the call goes to voice mail.

It's ironic: As I was posting this, I got a call from a telemarketer. At the touch of a button, I sent him to voicemail. No message, naturally. I love my privacy manager.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by ADqtPiMel
I've never understood why people are so mean to telemarketers. Sure, they're annoying, but they're just doing their job.

I'm sorry but when telemarketers border on the insane, then being nice takes a back seat. It's okay to politely refuse whatever they're selling or asking for, but when a telemarketers is rude to me, I am rude right back.

I am not going to take crap from some stranger on the phone.

[midwesterngirl]

Originally posted by krazy




Don't ask a collector to be added to the do-not-call list, they will laugh at you. Also, if you are getting calls from collectors, don't act high and mighty if you sent the check last week, they wouldn't be calling if you weren't 30 days late before you sent the check.

Actually,if you tell a bill collector to stop calling,I believe,they are legally obligated to do so.Especially if they are contacting you at work.Reputable companies usually will comply.It won't stop them from contacting you in writing but that is better if you need to dispute the debt anyway.

As for telemarketers,Kansas has a no-call list.I signed up the first day it was available.

[ADqtPiMel]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I'm sorry but when telemarketers border on the insane, then being nice takes a back seat. It's okay to politely refuse whatever they're selling or asking for, but when a telemarketers is rude to me, I am rude right back.

I am not going to take crap from some stranger on the phone.

I actually agree with you.

When I said "I don't understand why people are so mean to telemarketers," I was basing it on my experience with everyone I know being really mean to normal, friendly, non-super pushy telemarketers. I'm basically saying that it's just as easy to tell someone "No" politely as it is to scream at them.

BUT, if a telemarketer called my home and was rude or mean to me, I'd sure as hell tell them where to go.

[Wine&SilverBlue]

I read somewhere about a "you CAN call list" -- so many people are now on "do not call lists" that some company made a "you can call list" where you get paid like $250/year to be on it.. (the article was saying how it's good for college students to earn extra cash) -- HOWEVER, I feel like they're going to sell your info to every company ever, and you'll get like 5 calls a day. anyone hear about this ?