Title: Telemarketers
Post by: laundryhater on July 09, 2002, 04:29:30 pm
Heard the other day on the news that telemarketers are going to start calling people's cell phones now too.
That makes me mad! It's annoying enough to get them at home and work, now I will be expected to PAY for those calls on my cell phone too?!?
That's where I draw the line!
I don't even give my cell phone number out to my sister (we don't get along well), I certainly don't want complete strangers to have it and waste my minutes without my consent.
What do you think? Are you willing to let telemarketers waste your cell phone minutes? Are you willing to pay extra if this puts you over your minutes maximum?
That makes me mad! It's annoying enough to get them at home and work, now I will be expected to PAY for those calls on my cell phone too?!?
That's where I draw the line!
I don't even give my cell phone number out to my sister (we don't get along well), I certainly don't want complete strangers to have it and waste my minutes without my consent.
What do you think? Are you willing to let telemarketers waste your cell phone minutes? Are you willing to pay extra if this puts you over your minutes maximum?
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: chevygirl55 on July 09, 2002, 06:37:57 pm
Absolutely NOT! My cell phone is for MY convenience. When telemarketers start calling my cell, we will have a big problem.
Any suggestions for how to keep this from happening?
chevygirl55
Any suggestions for how to keep this from happening?
chevygirl55
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: chris68 on July 09, 2002, 07:48:59 pm
Other than caller ID or talking to your service provider, I don't see a solution.
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: radaro on July 09, 2002, 08:04:20 pm
Personally, I think telemarketing companies are lower than pond scum. If I need your product/service I will call you. Do not call me during dinner, my favourite TV show, my quiet time with my family to attempt to interest me in things that I am not interested in. Tar and feathering is too good for these people.
My cell phone is actually my company-issued cell phone which has caller ID and call answer. Even now, if I don't recognize the phone number, I don't answer. If it is important, they'll leave a message, if it is a telemarketer, they won't.
My cell phone is actually my company-issued cell phone which has caller ID and call answer. Even now, if I don't recognize the phone number, I don't answer. If it is important, they'll leave a message, if it is a telemarketer, they won't.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: laundryhater on July 09, 2002, 08:23:34 pm
Caller ID is a possible solution, but doesn't it still use up my minutes even if I don't answer the call? If so, yes it is less minutes than answering the call but it is still minutes wasted.
I am going to write a complaint to the FCC. Doubt they will listen but at least I will have tried to get my voice heard. I am also going to write a letter to my cell phone provider in an attempt to get their support in my complaint to the FCC.
I am going to write a complaint to the FCC. Doubt they will listen but at least I will have tried to get my voice heard. I am also going to write a letter to my cell phone provider in an attempt to get their support in my complaint to the FCC.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: spitfire78 on July 09, 2002, 08:36:09 pm
Fortunately, I keep my cell phone for emergency use only and don't keep it turned on unless I need to use it (don't have voicemail either). But if I did use it I would be REALLY upset. I get upset with those calls on my regular line at home as it is. I generally try never to be rude to anyone; however, I make an exception for telemarketers. I have not asked them to call me; therefore, I feel no reason to be polite. Generally, as soon as they start their spiel and I realize it's a telemarketer, I yell very loudly - TAKE MY NUMBER OFF YOUR LIST AND DON'T CALL ME AGAIN. Then I slam the receiver down as hard as I can. I used to be polite, and all they did was keep calling back again and again. I had to threaten one with a harassment lawsuit in order to get them to stop. They, of course, didn't know that I didn't have a lawyer and wasn't really going to sue, but at least it worked. They have gotten me out of the bathtub, down off a ladder, running in from the yard. I certainly don't feel the need to be polite. AND my phone number is unlisted, so I am certainly not inviting these calls at all. Frankly, I think telemarketing should be banned.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: fireproof on July 09, 2002, 10:21:50 pm
Anyone who mangles my name (first or last), I immediately ask what they are trying to sell me, this generally knocks them off their spiel long enough for me to tell them I'm not interested, thank them for calling (it is, after all, their job - and they have bills too), and hang up.
My pet peeve is pollsters - they get a max of SIX questions (which is what I tell them), then I hang up. As soon as I get on the phone anyway my kids go ape (like I'm not gonna notice they're out of control since my attention is elsewhere - I don't think so).
My pet peeve is pollsters - they get a max of SIX questions (which is what I tell them), then I hang up. As soon as I get on the phone anyway my kids go ape (like I'm not gonna notice they're out of control since my attention is elsewhere - I don't think so).
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: raindance on July 10, 2002, 12:20:48 am
Like Spitfire, I keep my mobile for emergencies and generally it is switched off - so I don't know whether people are calling me 
. The particular thing that does irritate me is unsolicited text messages. Grrrr ....
Raindance
. The particular thing that does irritate me is unsolicited text messages. Grrrr ....Raindance
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: Susan V on July 10, 2002, 02:56:05 am
I agree that if they can't say my last name correctly they don't know me and I don't know them. Usually when this happens I just hang up, but I have been know to ask them for their home number and what time do they eat dinner, spend time with family, etc. so that I can disrupt their lives. No offense to anyone but my last name has two lls in it (it is not a Spanish) and I get callers who try to talk to me in Spanish and when I tell them I don't speak Spanish they hang up.
Gator
Gator
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: marcie175 on July 10, 2002, 02:31:54 pm
You know what I LOVE to do??? Answer the phone like you are the housekeeper who speaks a different language. I did this once at my parent's house in spanish and had the guy on the phone all frazzled. He was cussing and everything because he was so upset with me and he didn't think I knew his words. I have never in my life laughed so hard.
The best part is that I know very little spanish, so I kept repeating the same things over and over again - no hablo ingles. (I know I didn't spell that right - sorry!)
Another solution on your regular phone to look in to is a thing called privacy manager. My parents have it on their phone (provider is Ameritech). When an unrecognized number makes a call to their house, an automated system catches it before it rings to their house. The caller is instructed that the person they are calling has privacy manager and if the caller wishes the call to go through, he or she must give his/her name. 95% of the time, the telemarketers won't give their names, so the call is never put through to my parent's house. You would not believe the difference in the number of times that phone rings! Oh yeah - and even if the caller gives his name, my parents still have a right not to accept the call. Pretty snazzy. I don't know if such a thing is possible on a cell phone or not.
Marcie
The best part is that I know very little spanish, so I kept repeating the same things over and over again - no hablo ingles. (I know I didn't spell that right - sorry!)
Another solution on your regular phone to look in to is a thing called privacy manager. My parents have it on their phone (provider is Ameritech). When an unrecognized number makes a call to their house, an automated system catches it before it rings to their house. The caller is instructed that the person they are calling has privacy manager and if the caller wishes the call to go through, he or she must give his/her name. 95% of the time, the telemarketers won't give their names, so the call is never put through to my parent's house. You would not believe the difference in the number of times that phone rings! Oh yeah - and even if the caller gives his name, my parents still have a right not to accept the call. Pretty snazzy. I don't know if such a thing is possible on a cell phone or not.
Marcie
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: twhfan on July 10, 2002, 03:04:52 pm
I would suggest that everyone call their cell phone service provider and ask their policy on selling phone number lists to telemarketers. If they do sell the list, you could ask that your number be omitted. If they couldn't do this, then say that you were going to look for another service provider who doesn't sell their phone lists.
If enough people do this, I bet the cell phone companies would be forced not to sell their phone lists for fear of losing their customers.
I too only turn my cell phone on at my convenience so it probably wouldn't be much of an issue for me, but I certainly wouldn't be happy to get telemarketer calls if I did leave my phone on.
Another thought: maybe you could inform the cell phone companies that you didn't intend to pay for unsolicited calls to your call. Don't know exactly how you could do this or if it's legal, but just a thought.
If enough people do this, I bet the cell phone companies would be forced not to sell their phone lists for fear of losing their customers.
I too only turn my cell phone on at my convenience so it probably wouldn't be much of an issue for me, but I certainly wouldn't be happy to get telemarketer calls if I did leave my phone on.
Another thought: maybe you could inform the cell phone companies that you didn't intend to pay for unsolicited calls to your call. Don't know exactly how you could do this or if it's legal, but just a thought.
Edited by twhfan on 10/07/02 03:07 PM.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: Jackie G on July 10, 2002, 09:03:26 pm
I don't think here in the UK that anyone can get hold of your mobile (cell) phone number unless you give it to them, ergo telemarketers can't get your number.
Jackie
www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: fireproof on July 10, 2002, 09:38:24 pm
My mother kept getting calls for my sister (who had move out years before). I told her to very happily tell them that she was up for parole next week.
It would have worked, too, if she would have done it.
It would have worked, too, if she would have done it.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: dharma on July 16, 2002, 08:31:29 pm
They're just trying to make a living. Just hang up if you don't want to talk. Does being rude make you a better person?
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: spitfire78 on July 16, 2002, 09:47:10 pm
Nope - it doesn't make me a better person at all. But if it keeps them from calling me back and bothering me at inconvenient times, then I don't feel bad about it at all. Junk mail is one thing - I drop it on the table and deal with it whenever I feel like it. Telemarketing that interrupts me in the middle of whatever I'm doing is something entirely different. No - I don't have an answering machine. I don't want one and I don't feel I should have to get one just because these people insist on calling me when I don't want them to. I keep my phone number unlisted, and I do not give it out unless it is absolutely necessary. I do what I can to prevent these calls, and if they insist on calling me, they will have to take what I dish out.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: chris68 on July 16, 2002, 10:03:47 pm
Spitfire
I'm with you on the phone calls issue. Matter of fact I was just snookered into something that is coming back to haunt me. Win a jeep liberty deal. Now this was months and months ago at the mall here in town and they are now calling me regarding a key which I have to drive about 2 hours to get to and listen to a 90 minute sales pitch. DH took the phone call so now she has to call back to talk to me and I have to politely tell her no thank you. Live and learn I suppose. I got a good lecture on this beleive me. Now I know and will avoid that stuff. Yes we are unlisted as well, but fell for it harmlessly I suppose. But your right about the calling during dinner.
NYS has this no call list that we signed up for when it first came out. So far I haven't gotten any sales calls, not even from my credit card company that used to call during dinner asking to sell me insurance. They snag ya cause it's always about your account. Used to catch me every single time. Frustrating!
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
I'm with you on the phone calls issue. Matter of fact I was just snookered into something that is coming back to haunt me. Win a jeep liberty deal. Now this was months and months ago at the mall here in town and they are now calling me regarding a key which I have to drive about 2 hours to get to and listen to a 90 minute sales pitch. DH took the phone call so now she has to call back to talk to me and I have to politely tell her no thank you. Live and learn I suppose. I got a good lecture on this beleive me. Now I know and will avoid that stuff. Yes we are unlisted as well, but fell for it harmlessly I suppose. But your right about the calling during dinner.
NYS has this no call list that we signed up for when it first came out. So far I haven't gotten any sales calls, not even from my credit card company that used to call during dinner asking to sell me insurance. They snag ya cause it's always about your account. Used to catch me every single time. Frustrating!
Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: winkiebear on July 16, 2002, 10:35:16 pm
By federal law, if you tell a telemarketer to put you on their "Do Not Solicit" list, they must comply. Sometimes this process can take up to 8 weeks, so you may get phone calls in the meantime. Just continue to say the same thing - put me on your Do Not Call list.
If you STILL get phone calls from the same company, you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Congress is working on getting a nationwide DNS list - once that is in place, you won't have to worry about these phone calls at all.
winkiebear
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: dharma on July 17, 2002, 01:34:48 am
Usually, the computer dials the numbers, not the telemarketer. I find the "calling during dinner time" mumbo jumbo quite amusing. Maybe you should tell them to get their crystal balls out of the closet so they know next time.
Just saying "no, thank you" or hanging up works for me.
Just saying "no, thank you" or hanging up works for me.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: countrigal on July 17, 2002, 02:12:21 pm
Like telemarketers aren't bad enough on their own, what I'm now running into is the phone ringing, me answering to hear a tone, then a recorded message asking me to "please hold for an important call". Excuse me?? You're going to call me unsolicited and then have some computer put me on hold for you to get to? After falling for the "important call" line the first couple of times, hubby and I now simply hang up when the computer starts its spiel. I can handle the person much better than the computer, though I can be rude to the computer without regrets and I'm normally fair but firm with the person.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: laundryhater on July 17, 2002, 04:02:53 pm
For me it's not so much the calling during dinner time. I don't want them to call at anytime period. If I want to buy something from them I will look them up in the yellow pages and call them. Just like they probably don't want customers calling them at home for customer support issues, I don't want them calling me at home trying to sell me something.
There are other ways to advertise your products - T.V. commercials, newspaper ads, yellow pages, billboards.
And don't even think about putting a flyer on my windsheild either!
There are other ways to advertise your products - T.V. commercials, newspaper ads, yellow pages, billboards.
And don't even think about putting a flyer on my windsheild either!
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: laundryhater on July 17, 2002, 04:28:09 pm
They shouldn't need crystal balls to avoid dinner times. A working knowledge of time zones would help.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: bethanial on July 19, 2002, 02:34:54 pm
I think it was Dateline did a show just this week on telemarketing, and they were saying how most companies don't even keep a DNS list -- yes, they are supposed to, but it's not done because it's "not realistic" to do so.
Hubby and I had privacy director on our phone (couple dollars a month through the phone company), but took it off to save a little money (every penny does count). Let me tell you, it does make a HUGE difference in the number of calls we get. We did keep caller ID, and I just don't answer if it's unknown name/number. If it's truly important, the caller will leave a message and I can call back. That's why I have caller ID and an answering machine!
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Hubby and I had privacy director on our phone (couple dollars a month through the phone company), but took it off to save a little money (every penny does count). Let me tell you, it does make a HUGE difference in the number of calls we get. We did keep caller ID, and I just don't answer if it's unknown name/number. If it's truly important, the caller will leave a message and I can call back. That's why I have caller ID and an answering machine!
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: chevygirl55 on July 19, 2002, 03:31:49 pm
Here's a pretty good article.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/761700.asp?pne=msn&cp1=1
http://www.msnbc.com/news/761700.asp?pne=msn&cp1=1
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: winkiebear on July 19, 2002, 03:50:50 pm
I have to jump in here and say that there are actually LEGITIMATE telemarketing companies - for instance, your long distance providers, your credit card companies, your BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
All these industries maintain a list of thier clients/customers. Read the privacy policy on all these things - you have given them permission to sell your name to telemarketing companies.
When these institutions sell lists, they are putting their company's integrity on the line - they are TRUSTING the telemarketing company to be honest and forthright, and most of all, compliant with federal laws regarding telemarketing.
The institutions make money when a consumer buys a product as a result of a phone call from their list. It's a common practice.
The companies that deem DNS lists 'not realistic' are the companies that give ALL telemarketers a bad name - there are LEGITIMATE, HONEST, companies that sell products via phone.
winkiebear
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: andream on July 22, 2002, 09:43:15 pm
hey you guys should be over here, they send you TEXT Messages on your cell phone. In fact it's a huge business to GET mobile phone numbers from people, (and they have to be given voluntarily). I dont get very many unsolicited phone calls since being over here either, maybe cause my number is not in wide enough circulation yet, though Im still getting junk email to my DD account from the US, and you all know the best way to kill a telemarketer is to have a little fun. Ask for THEIR home numbers so that you can call back during dinner.....
Usually I say something like "look, I know you're doing a job and I thank you for calling but I'm not interested." as long as that does the trick,, no worries, but ohhhh baby let them refuse to give up, I can make the poodle in the copier schtick look like preschool, I can fire back questions as fast as they can ask them. Who's you long distance provider? Why do you want to know? Are you stalking me? Why do you care? What's in it for me? It's a southern thing I guess,,, I'd rather hang up laughing than mad....
Usually I say something like "look, I know you're doing a job and I thank you for calling but I'm not interested." as long as that does the trick,, no worries, but ohhhh baby let them refuse to give up, I can make the poodle in the copier schtick look like preschool, I can fire back questions as fast as they can ask them. Who's you long distance provider? Why do you want to know? Are you stalking me? Why do you care? What's in it for me? It's a southern thing I guess,,, I'd rather hang up laughing than mad....
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: laundryhater on July 25, 2002, 09:55:51 pm
I'm with Andrea.
I always politely say "no, not interested" until they ignore me and keep talking. Then it's time to get downright rude and yell, "Can't you hear? I said NO! Let me speak to your supervisor now!" Then I tell supervisor that the employee did not listen to me, to train them better and to please take me off the call list.
I always politely say "no, not interested" until they ignore me and keep talking. Then it's time to get downright rude and yell, "Can't you hear? I said NO! Let me speak to your supervisor now!" Then I tell supervisor that the employee did not listen to me, to train them better and to please take me off the call list.
Title: Re: Telemarketers
Post by: Jackie G on July 26, 2002, 01:29:04 pm
Agree with all above. I hate 'em too.
Here's a funny story though. Our local radio station has a brilliant breakfast show and the host is known for windups. People email him with info on folk who are bugged by various things. I missed this when it first went out, but it replayed this morning. This guy was called by the DJ (who puts on umpteen different voices including an old lady of 89!) and said no to double glazing, triple glazing, a conservatory, a new pool, a new kitchen, new bathroom - you name it. It was hilarious. When the guy said stop calling me, I live in a new house, the DJ said to him, but you were a referral from X X and mentioned (obviously) his friend's name. He still didn't twig but said 'Who is this?' and when the DJ revealed himself, he apologised for swearing (obviously we just get the bleeps!) and being such a pillock on air! It was very very funny and certainly got my Friday morning off to a good start!
Jackie
www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
Here's a funny story though. Our local radio station has a brilliant breakfast show and the host is known for windups. People email him with info on folk who are bugged by various things. I missed this when it first went out, but it replayed this morning. This guy was called by the DJ (who puts on umpteen different voices including an old lady of 89!) and said no to double glazing, triple glazing, a conservatory, a new pool, a new kitchen, new bathroom - you name it. It was hilarious. When the guy said stop calling me, I live in a new house, the DJ said to him, but you were a referral from X X and mentioned (obviously) his friend's name. He still didn't twig but said 'Who is this?' and when the DJ revealed himself, he apologised for swearing (obviously we just get the bleeps!) and being such a pillock on air! It was very very funny and certainly got my Friday morning off to a good start!
Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff