How to fend off telephone solicitors

[jblum315]

I have found through years of dealing with these callers that the only approach that works is to keep saying "No," no matter what the question is. "No, I don't want it.'" Never say yes even if they ask if you're having a good day because "yes" gets woven into the dialogue and before you know it you have ordered something you didn't want. Just keep saying "No" like a parrot. And then hang up.

[billethkid]

when they call and if you answer, just tell them one moment please, I have another call and set the phone down....do not laugh too loudly.

btk

[njbchbum]

as soon as i recognize a solicitation call i just ask them to hold on a minute - and then put the phone down til i hear the 'you forgot to hang up the phone' whine!

if i am bored, i encourage the solicitor to continue on and on with their spiel and then just tell them no and good-bye - and hang up.

[RichieB]

Never say yes even if they ask if you're having a good day because "yes" gets woven into the dialogue and before you know it you have ordered something you didn't want. Just keep saying "No" like a parrot. And then hang up.

That's exactly right. The second that you say YES, they've got you !

We have a friend who would tell telemarketers that she couldn't hear them. She had a whistle that she would then blow into the phone. That works !

[ceejay]

My husband once had an encyclopedia salesman (yes, we're going back a long time ago) repeat his entire spiel TWICE and then said "that sounds like a great deal...but do they come in Braille?"

Another time he told the salesman "sure, that sounds great...I'll take 5" and then proceeded to give his credit card number - 65547908765453***5689008654***322......

This was at the dinner table and my kids had a blast listening to their Dad!

:icon_twisted::icon_twisted::icon_twisted:

PS My son went to work for a telemarketing company years later...for about a week....

[Figmo Bohica]

Best way to get rid of the call is, and do it just like this:

First Question:
In a very gravelly voice, "Whatcha wearin'?"
Second Question:
"Are ya naked?"

Never have had the same one call about the same product twice.

[TrudyM]

I have found that being unlisted and on the do not call list only helps a little. The random auto dialers still (although they arn't supose to) ring you up. And the we are just taking a survey jerks call anyway. I have used several of the above mentioned. When my husband worked on black projects for the defense department I use to tell them that my calls were being monitored by the government (which they were) and hang up.

[tainsley]

I have caller ID...I just don't answer! If it is someone you know...they will leave a message!

[skyguy79]

I have found through years of dealing with these callers that the only approach that works is to keep saying "No," no matter what the question is. "No, I don't want it.'" Never say yes even if they ask if you're having a good day because "yes" gets woven into the dialogue and before you know it you have ordered something you didn't want. Just keep saying "No" like a parrot. And then hang up.

If your a woman that likes to sing, just make sure not to sing "I'm just a girl that can't say no..." http://www4.slikomat.com/08/1027/gqw-563760.gif

My husband once had an encyclopedia salesman (yes, we're going back a long time ago) repeat his entire spiel TWICE and then said "that sounds like a great deal...but do they come in Braille?"

I worked for the NYS DMV and several years ago we had a woman taking her turn working our public phone. On that day I was feeling a bit frivious and call the line. When she answered I asked her... "Do you have any driver manuels in braille? She took me serious and started to answer me until she head and saw me cracking up! :loco:

That's exactly right. The second that you say YES, they've got you !

We have a friend who would tell telemarketers that she couldn't hear them. She had a whistle that she would then blow into the phone. That works !He should have told them he couldn't hear them, then when they spoke a little louder react by saying.... "Hey! You don't have to yell at me! :rant-rave:

[twalker919]

Tell them to speak English OR
Ask them for their home number so that you can call them at your lunch hour, which happens to be at 3 AM.

[jnieman]

If you register your phone number and cell phone number at www.donotcall.gov you will receive very few soliciting calls. It's worked for me for years.:wave:

[buggyone]

When I get a phone call, I look at the caller ID. If it is not someone I know, I let the machine get it.

I am on the Do Not Call list. It works very well. Lets the "surveys" and "charities" through, though, but since I do not know who the call is from, I let the machine get it.

As annoying as the telemarketers are, please remember they are doing this menial job because they need the work. Blowing a whistle in their ear is terrible. Would you want someone to do that to your son or daughter who is trying to earn some money?

Use your Caller ID, folks. That is why you have it. Get on the Do Not Call list. It will help a great deal.

[gmcneill]

When I get a phone call, I look at the caller ID. If it is not someone I know, I let the machine get it.

I am on the Do Not Call list. It works very well. Lets the "surveys" and "charities" through, though, but since I do not know who the call is from, I let the machine get it.

As annoying as the telemarketers are, please remember they are doing this menial job because they need the work. Blowing a whistle in their ear is terrible. Would you want someone to do that to your son or daughter who is trying to earn some money?

Use your Caller ID, folks. That is why you have it. Get on the Do Not Call list. It will help a great deal.

I simply interrupt the sales pitch with a firm "No, thank you." Of course, the pitch will continue, so I talk over them in a little firmer voice, "Excuse me. I said no thank you. You have a tough job and I am trying to be polite here, but I am hanging up now."

A pleasant "Good bye" is the last thing the salesperson hears before the line goes dead.

Personal observation:

Did it really take about 6 hours and 12 posts before one of us called out acts of rudeness, disrespect, racist- speak english...really?- and worst of all an intentional act of meanness that could hurt if not damage someone's hearing.

I don't care for telemarketers either but I don't see how acting out against someone who's simply trying to make a few dollars is acceptable behavior.

BIG congrats to you buggyone! Shame on the rest of us.

[superuke]

I enjoy unwanted calls. I like having a bit of fun with them by asking them direct questions. Remember if you say no, the caller is trained as to how they can overcome objections or getting a no. The more no's you say the anger in your voice will start to show, when you hang up you are the one that suffers as your blood pressure will increase, you will start to shake and then you will land up talking about the idiot that just called.

So what are direct questions?

My best one is: (change your voice like you are dying, this is very easy to do,we did this when we were ill at pre school age)

Question: When are going to deliver my pills? You were suppose to deliver my pills today. Were are they? When are you going to deliver my pills? (keep this up) the callers are not trained for this therefore you will in turn have a blast! This is simply alot of fun, very soon they will infact hang up on you. They will assume you are in fact a looney toon and they will want nothing to do with you forever!. They will remove from their call list.

You will feel great! You will laugh, your blood pressure will decrease and you will have a wonderful sleep.