why is this man smiling? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 02-26-2003, 04:58 PM

... and why do I want to kick him in the teeth?

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/02/26/telemarket.tool.ap/index.html

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

rickg · #2 02-26-2003, 05:02 PM

Oh!!

Don't EVEN get me going about telemarketers!
My oldest daughter did it for awhile when she was desperate for a job, and I about disowned her. She's embarresed she ever did it now.

420SEL · #3 02-26-2003, 06:15 PM

What a jerk. Who the heck would invent something to counter a device people choose to own to stop telemarketers? Its as bad as going around to offices and businessess and pulling off the "No Soliciting" sign that someone had put up on their property.

I recently put my name and my wife's name on a do not call list through the Canadian Marketing Association and litterally within 2 days the calls stopped (we used to get 3-4 per evening). I don't remember the last time a telemarketer called.

Don't these guys know how much they are hated? What I don't get is who are all the people doing business with telemarketers that keep this profitable for them. Just stop it for the good of everyone!!!

rickg · #4 02-26-2003, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
My approach to telemarketers is rather simple. When an obvious telemarketer calls my home, I ask who is calling. When I confirm their identity, I mournfully inform them that PaulC is dead. Love the flustered response, and as a fringe benefit, no repeat calls!

I'll have to try that one! I usually don't stay on the phone long enough to give any kind of a response other than "GO AWAY!"

Richard Eldridge · #5 02-27-2003, 12:05 AM

I have found that asking in a childish voice "Who is this?" again and again and again until they hang up can be amusing.

Of course, you could ask personal questions of the telemarketers, or just say "wait a minute, be right back" and take the damned thing off the hook for 30 minutes

If the puter is on you can play them sound files in a loop.

#6 02-27-2003, 12:26 AM

A former housmate of mine had a great solution:

Whenver a telemarketer would call, he would say, "Just a minute", and in loud enough voice for the telmarketer to hear he would shout, "[Insert name telemarker asked for here], pick up the phone!!". He would then put the phone down loudly on the counter, wait a few minutes, pick it up and ask, "Did [name] pick up yet?" to the offensive telemarketer. When he got the answer "no", he'd yell for "whoever" to pick up the phone even louder...

He would repeat this sequence two or three times for our amusement until the telemarketer would hang up, frustrated that HIS time had been wasted!!

Great laughs by all in the house.

Jason Beal · #7 02-27-2003, 04:17 AM

If they ask for me I'll usually say, "Jason B? You would like to talk to Jason B?" Then I'll say how he (as if I'm his roomate or whoever) knocked my girlfriend up, and then took money off my dresser and hasn't been back in weeks and if you see the SOB call me and let me know....I just go on and on until they hang up.

I told another who asked for my wife a couple days ago that "she took my wallet off my dresser", and "If you hear from her, ask her to call me". The response was a very loud, "Nah-Ah! No she didn't!" it was halarious. Then when I hung up the phone my kids asked me why Mom took my wallet!!!- LOL.

I hate 'em though, I really do. There will be a special place in hell for that guy in the article too.

Mark DiSilvestro · #8 02-27-2003, 09:32 AM

I wish I could "hammer' all the telemarketers but what do I do about all those 'hang-up' telemarketing calls? I hate them the most!
(Wish I could send about 20,000 volts back through the line and really 'Tele-Zap' them!)

Happy Motoring, Mark

glenmore · #9 02-27-2003, 10:34 AM

In my line of business, there is a LOT of telemarketing. I would suggest not "hammering" telemarketers too much. You might end up on their dreaded "fun to poke with a stick list".

Here are some good responses to telemaketers to make them hang up right away:

For callers offering refinancing or home remodeling, simply say "Oh, this is a rental". Now the caller has a list, identifying you as a mortgage holder, but it never occurs to them that you would lie to them. They will 1) immediately hang up, 2) cross your name off their list, and 3) curse the people that they bought the list from. If you just say "not interested" or "not now", you will STAY on that list as a potential customer.

For callers offering financial services from let's say Merrill Lynch, simply say, "Oh, Merrill Lynch?, I have an account there". They will be very polite and hang up immediately. DO NOT SAY, "Oh, Merrill Lynch? I have an account at Paine Webber". You will STAY on their list.

Most businesses that use telemaketing have a "do not call list" and if they really bug you and you want to take the time to call them, you can put your name on this list.

glenmore
1991 300CE

Potomac Pat · #10 02-27-2003, 10:55 AM

What a d-bag ! ! !