I've tried the not answering "out of area" and "tollfree number" calls, etc.,
but by not answering them, they keep calling. I got 12 calls in 15 days from
one of my credit card providers trying to sell me disability insurance that
would pay my credit card bill if something, like sickness or injury, occurred
and I was temporarily without an income. I kept telling them that I'm retired,
have a guaranteed lifetime government pension and Social Security, both on
direct deposit, so even if I break a leg tomorrow, my income stays the same, so
"Quit calling me!" They kept saying they would. When they didn't after a dozen
calls, I asked if there was a supervisor I could talk to, and I cussed some
poor person out, and they haven't called again. And I have cancelled the card,
just on principle. I've got too many of those damn things anyway. They attract
Leicas and such.
Walt
--
"Anything more than 500 yards from
the car just isn't photogenic." --
Edward Weston
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Moose <olymoose@xxxxxxxxx>
> Andrew Fildes wrote:
> > I remind myself that they are poor slobs who may not be able get get
> > other work so I try to be polite - it's almost as quick to say, "No
> > thanks - please don't call again."
> >
> These are simply people who are, for whatever reasons, stuck in awful jobs.
>
> Their success, and ability to have a roof over their head and food on
> their table depends on their success rate in selling stuff.
>
> So - the best way to both make your own life better and assist them in
> survival is to avoid picking up the phone in the first place. An
> unanswered call is the fault of the list, an answered one without a sale
> is lowers their performance. Holding them on the phone for a long time
> before turning them down is taking food out of their mouths twice, an
> unsuccessful call and others calls not made.
>
> To avoid answering in the first place we do three things.
>
> 1. We are on the do not call list. But as others have pointed out, there
> are quite a few exceptions.
>
> 2. We have and use caller ID. We ignore calls from 800 and 866 numbers
> and those with names we recognize as telemarketing. Other unknown, out
> of area code calls are screened. Most telemarketing systems are
> programmed to just drop out after 3-4 rings. Some leave messages - one
> push of the delete button is all they take.
>
> 3. With those very few numbers that call all the time, I finally answer
> one and politely ask them not to call again.
>
> I'm sure I answer less than one telemarketing call a month. I did forget
> once that I have a brother in the 801 area code, and ignored his call,
> but he called on my cell phone, which connects the incoming number to
> stored numbers and thus to names and I answered that one.
>
> All the other clever responses simply penalize people trying to earn a
> living a hard way AND have no effect whatsoever on the company for which
> they work. If you really want to stop telemarketing calls as a matter of
> principle, or some such, work through the political system to decrease
> the loopholes in do not call laws.
>
> That won't even put anybody directly out of work. It's awful work and
> the turnover rate is high, so even if you are successful, all you do is
> save more folks from taking a terrible job.
>
> Moose
>
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