Topic: How to deal with Telemarketers
no photo
Wed 11/21/07 01:58 PM
- If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.

- If they start out with, "How are you today?" say, "I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died..."

- If they say they're John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located, how long it has been in business, how many people work there, how they got into this line of work, are they married?, kids?, etc. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.

- Cry out in surprise,"Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?" Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of terror as she tries to figure out where she could know you from.

- Say "No", over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one, and keep a rhythmic tempo, even as they are trying to speak. This is most fun if you can do it until they hang up.

- If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan, reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, "I don't have any friends... would you be my friend?"

- After the Telemarketer gives their spiel, ask him/her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.

- Tell the Telemarketer that you work for the same company, they often can't sell to employees.

iraceslowcars's photo
Wed 11/21/07 02:04 PM
I had a woman call once that began speaking at 1000 mph once I said "Hello". She seemed to go like this for a minute without taking a breath. I was impressed, and did not hang up immediately as I normally would. I paid no mind to what she was saying, but admired the quick cadence and effifiency of her delivery. After she finished, I said "Could you repeat that again?" Deeeeep breath, and we're off.
I hung up about halfway through the second time.

SDM's photo
Wed 11/21/07 02:09 PM
haha. I use to be one of the MCI "friends and family" people! just note that if you just say "quit calling me", its not a direct order to stop calling. You have to say "take me off your calling list" and they must obey. If they call again, speak to a supervisor, inform the supervisor that if you receive one more call, you will persue legal action against the company!

shutterbug63's photo
Wed 11/21/07 02:15 PM
msveeay, that's some really good stuff. Ask them to marry you? That's so funny laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

RainyRay's photo
Wed 11/21/07 02:26 PM
Iraceslowcars-Haha..the girl that called wasn't by any chance asking about your car was she? Cause I use to work for a company and that's how fast we all talked hoping to get on the phone as soon as we could!

SDM-Yup they have to tell you to take them off the calling list or we keep calling!

I hate when they call my home but god did I love calling them haha.

Believe it or not I've had half of that stuff done to me before when I use to work at the company, it was insane lol.