[redwitch]

I put the phone down and let them waste their time. I'll pick it up every so often and, if they're still talking, go uh-huh and back to whatever. Don't know why, but I rarely get more than one call from said organizations.

[jebartle]

that if you request the solicitor to remove your name from their list, they are required by law to NOT call again! Is this true?

[Bryan]

I think jebartle is correct. YOU are required by law to not drive over 70 MPH on Florida interstates or 25 MPH on most TV streets - how well does that work out? Scofflaws won't be intimidated by toothless laws like DO NOT CALL unless/until we get some real teeth into them and start enforcing them. At the rate things are going these days, looks like that will happen February 30th.

[JenAjd]

Originally Posted by mac9

I too received a call this morning at 8:15 which woke me up and did make me a happy camper. I asked the caller for his 501 c (3) number (so as to verify the tax deductibility to an non-profit). He told me that he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked to speak to his supervisor who was unavailable. I told him since I was being recorded, he could play it back to the supervisor when he was available and then he could call me back with the needed information. I also told him not to call me until he had my requested info. So far, no one has called back!

I LOVE this!! Might have to try it sometime! We seem to get ALOT of unsolicited calls here in FL..not so much up north.
I've had callers where when I say "we're not interested! Please take our name off your list!" and they will argue! I then just hang up!!!
This type of call is a scam and not for the real police!! Same for cancer organizations etc.

[red tail]

where are the leo comments on this topic ??

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

2B - Certain organizations are permitted to call even though you signed up for the Do Not Call registry. From http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...ts/alt107.shtm : "Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls."

Bill

Thanks Bill. It's always good to be enlightened. I stand corrected.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I used to feel a tinge of guilt about not listening to phone solicitors. Maybe one or more were really worthy of my support.

Then I made rule.

I politely mention that I do not respond to any phone requests, but will look at anything sent me in the mail. (I assume if they have my number, they have my address).

I cannot recall one solicitor asking for my address, nor can I remember receiving a single piece of mail from any of the callers.

No more tinges. Great rule.

ijusluvit:

Great Rule.

I did use this rule when talking to my credit card company and they still called back. I guess some people don't get the hint.

I will keep this in mind as it stops them in their tracks when they go into the robot mode of giving their spiel.

[Bob45]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I put the phone down and let them waste their time. I'll pick it up every so often and, if they're still talking, go uh-huh and back to whatever. Don't know why, but I rarely get more than one call from said organizations.

Redwitch has the right idea. A friend of mine is a telemarketer. He says he wants you to hang up right away if you're not interested. That way he can move on to someone that is. That's how he makes his money. Now, if you keep him on the phone without buying, he's not a happy camper. If you have the time, strike up a conversation with them. Keep them on as long as you can.

Bob

[Chief X]

My foolproof way of dealing with telemarketers? I simply ask them, in a creepy sort of way, what they are wearing... instant hang-up on their end.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Chief X

My foolproof way of dealing with telemarketers? I simply ask them, in a creepy sort of way, what they are wearing... instant hang-up on their end.

Don't forget to end that creepy sentence with Clarice and in the best Hannibal Lecter voice you can do! And if it's a male caller, make it Clarence!

"What are you wearing, Clarice? I'd like a chance to meat you sometime. Heh-heh!"

[LittleDog]

Another annoyance is I seem to get a call monthly from Century Link, my phone company wanting to talk about my plan and maybe I can do better with another plan that they have. I keep telling these people I'm not interested but they keep calling. The next call I get I'm going to tell them to never call me again.

John

[kofficer]

We got pulled in by them when we first moved to St. Petersburg in 1986. It took us YEARS to get them to stop calling. I had read that hanging up, they still call back. But putting the phone down next to you and never coming back to it, for say 30 minutes, when you do, they are gone, and in our case we have NEVER heard from them again. It's been year's now.

Richard and Lee in Tampa, for now.

[batman911]

Skyguy79,

I believe the term "hang up" comes from the design of the original home telephones. You had to speak into a mouthpiece mounted on the wooden box and you placed the speaker (at the end of a cord) to your ear. When you were done with the call, you would hang the speaker back on the lever which was located on the side of the wooden box.

http://www.ralphcarlsonblog.com/wp-c...-telephone.jpg

May need to copy and paste into your browser to see picture.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by batman911

Skyguy79,

I believe the term "hang up" comes from the design of the original home telephones. You had to speak into a mouthpiece mounted on the wooden box and you placed the speaker (at the end of a cord) to your ear. When you were done with the call, you would hang the speaker back on the lever which was located on the side of the wooden box.

http://www.ralphcarlsonblog.com/wp-c...-telephone.jpg

May need to copy and paste into your browser to see picture.

I remember those from my childhood. Some small phone companies, before the big guys, hung (pun intended) onto those for years. Anyone else remember the "don't yank the crank" campaign?

[Chief X]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

Don't forget to end that creepy sentence with Clarice and in the best Hannibal Lecter voice you can do! And if it's a male caller, make it Clarence!

"What are you wearing, Clarice? I'd like a chance to meat you sometime. Heh-heh!"

Great advice - I'll practice that later today...haha