slk2042:

Deb, is your phone number on the National Do Not Call list? If not, here's where you can go for free:

www.donotcall.gov

That is only for commercial callers, unfortunately. Charitable organizations are not bound by it.

I always interrupt them as soon as I can manage to get a word in edgewise and say, very politely, "I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid I don't make any pledges or commitments by telephone. Would you please put me on your do-not-call list?" Those seem to be the magic words, because I have never had a caller continue pressuring me after that. They always agree to do it and then hang up immediately--eager to get on to the next call, I guess.

haverwench:

I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid I don't make any pledges or commitments by telephone. Would you please put me on your do-not-call list?" Those seem to be the magic words, because I have never had a caller continue pressuring me after that. They always agree to do it and then hang up immediately--eager to get on to the next call, I guess.

when you speak toa telemarketer like a person and not like some sort of plague, then you get a good response.  if you talk to them mean and debasing,  they have  little key on the key board just for people who are hateful; all telemarketers know what that button is.

Hi everyone,

I just came across this.  Here's what I did and it may not be an option for everyone because I do realize that everyone's situation is different.  We had our landline disconnected.  I know to some it might seem drastic but not only is it saving me $65.00 a month but I'm also enjoying my suppertime without interruptions.  I had tried the Do Not Call list however, I was still getting 4 - 5 calls a night requesting donations or wanting to discuss my political views, etc.  My family and friends only call DH and I on our cell phones so if the house phone was ringing it wasn't personal.  Don't get me wrong, I do make charitable contributions but they are charities of my choice, not ones that I felt pressured into donating to in order to get off the phone and back to my life.  I choose local charities: food banks, Children's Homes, Women's Protective Services, etc...all in my community.

This was 2 years ago and I've never regretted it. 

 I have caller ID and don't usually answer calls that I don't recognize.  Because of this I missed two calls from my brother who was living in Croatia.  I felt terrible and couldn't call him back because I didn't have the country number or whatever the number is that goes before the telephone number for international calls.  So the other night I answered the phone at 8:55pm even though I didn't recognize the number and it was too late for calls in our house.  A man starts out with "Stacy?  Are you Stacy?" and I started to say, "I'm sorry, but it's too late for sales calls." but he interupted me by yelling "I stil have five minutes!  I still have five minutes to call you!"  and I said calmly "No, you do not have any minutes left to call me, take me off your list."  He kept yelling about how he had five minutes.  I hung up and immediately registered our number with the National Do Not Call List.  I think that's the worst telemarketing call I've received.  I didn't even think of asking to speak to his supervisor, not that he would have heard me over his yelling anyway.

Stacycue:

Because of this I missed two calls from my brother who was living in Croatia.  I felt terrible and couldn't call him back because I didn't have the country number or whatever the number is that goes before the telephone number for international calls.

 

That's always tricky dealing with international and caller id. When my friend in Holland calls, it always appears different from the last time so I can never remember what to look for. 

 

Stacycue:

A man starts out with "Stacy?  Are you Stacy?" and I started to say, "I'm sorry, but it's too late for sales calls." but he interupted me by yelling "I stil have five minutes!  I still have five minutes to call you!"  and I said calmly "No, you do not have any minutes left to call me, take me off your list."  He kept yelling about how he had five minutes.

Good Grief!! I think I would have been laughing afterwards too. I wouldn't have been that calm.

UMMMM favorite subject here unless you know the charity ok then I see donate all you want,BUT you need to research the comany and check the bbb on this to many times some charityies not all rip you off blind then a lol and a sol later mom, yes I got ripped big time and Iike to warn you all getting rippe is not a fun matter I was out several hundred dollars makes me not trust charities I donnate to St. Vincent Depoul and the salvation army only those are the ones I have better luck with oh and the jewish fund for the hand out of foods for the comunity.. Do the research first then make up your mind to do it never do the bussines over the phone yeah you get ripped..

thank you- cindy

Luvd_Lioness:

Good Grief!! I think I would have been laughing afterwards too. I wouldn't have been that calm.

 

 

Lol, I was shaking afterwards, so I wasn't as calm as it seemed, I just didn't know what to say!

stacycue,  that was so rude of him.  i hate for a telemarketer to call someone by first name as if you are an old friend and yes, i'm glad i only did customer service for a short time.  i had a telemarketer call me one time and he asked me if i wanted him to read exclusions to me.  those are like 3 pages long and nobody understands them anyway.  i said yes,  just for the fun of it and he went thru them at lightening speed.  when he got done, he said 'any questions'.  I said yes,  "could you read them again, i missed one".  He didn't know what to say and started stuttering.   it was funny.  But believe me,  I don't like those calls anymore than anyone else, even if i have been there and done that.  It use to bother me when someone made a comment about tel.mkts, but anymore it's just like water off a duck's back to me.  I've moved on,  but i symphothize with tm's because i know what they go thru and its not fun and games, anymore than receiving a call. 

karen kay:

stacycue,  that was so rude of him.  i hate for a telemarketer to call someone by first name as if you are an old friend and yes, i'm glad i only did customer service for a short time.  i had a telemarketer call me one time and he asked me if i wanted him to read exclusions to me.  those are like 3 pages long and nobody understands them anyway.  i said yes,  just for the fun of it and he went thru them at lightening speed.  when he got done, he said 'any questions'.  I said yes,  "could you read them again, i missed one".  He didn't know what to say and started stuttering.   it was funny.  But believe me,  I don't like those calls anymore than anyone else, even if i have been there and done that.  It use to bother me when someone made a comment about tel.mkts, but anymore it's just like water off a duck's back to me.  I've moved on,  but i symphothize with tm's because i know what they go thru and its not fun and games, anymore than receiving a call. 

 

 

Yeah, I've always tried to be polite because I know the callers are just trying to do a job.  At the same time, if I know it's a telemarketer calling I'd rather just not answer.

 I usually screen my calls, and most of them won't leave messages. Some do, however, and the minute I hear the begnning of their pitch, I just delete. If I amswer, I say "No, thanks," and hang up. I am the no-call list, but still get commercial calls - perhaps I should re-list.

I am also irked by the number of solicitations I receive in the mail. I contribute to a few causes as I can, and it seems as if their mailing lists travel far.

Many, many soliciations from life insurance and auto insurance. I have no family for life insurance, and I have never owned a vehicle. They are wasting an awful lot of postage on me.