http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Giveaway of the Day Forums Topic: Blasted Telemarketers! en Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:39:19 +0000 http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19795 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:17:23 +0000 RunesageMagik 19795@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>A chance to shine the spotlight on the scammers. This is one of several on-line sites keeping logs of scam/crank calls. If anyone at the FTC has an active braincell and an ounce of initiative, they're doing more than just monitoring the growing list- <a href="http://800notes.com/" rel="nofollow">http://800notes.com/</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19783 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:48:53 +0000 haalam 19783@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>davee: thanks for the info on GrandCentral. I reserved, but apparently it is not up and running yet, at least not in my area code. (And it is only for the US so far.)</p> <p>Lately I have been getting calls supposedly from my "credit card company" offering some sort of deal (it is not any of my banks - they all know NOT to call). It is a recording that tells you to press 1 for more info or 2 to be taken off the call list. Of course, I opted for #2 since I don't want to be bothered. They called again a few days later from a different phone number with the same exchange and area code. Since their number was on the Caller ID, I reported the 2nd call at the US Do Not Call Registry site. Yesterday I had another one of these calls. With only "out of area" on the caller ID this time. It was #3 to be taken off this time, so I pressed 1 for more info. When the person came on the line, I asked "what is the name of your company?" and she started babbling about the offer and said they consolidated debt but would not give up the company name. I asked her two more times and then she said "Thank you" and hung up on me! This company is obviously trying to bypass the US DNC system. I wish I could report them, but to report you have to have a company name or a phone number that called you. Sure wish the DNC could do traces as well.</p> <p>Since I registered all my numbers at the DNC Registry, I had to report a dozen or so offenders (most early on after the initial waiting period was over) but it really has cut down on the calls! Til Now! If they call again, I am going to go for #1 again -- and use some of the great lines shared here! Thanks for all the ideas! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19780 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:43:24 +0000 davee 19780@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>RunesageMagi:</p> <p>Thanks for the update on numbr.com. I had only used it once, a number of months ago, and hadn't realized they are being "reorganized." As to privacy concerns with Google, I've had a GrandCentral account for a couple of months and had no problems. Since I have had a GMail account for quite a while, I wasn't really giving Google any further information by signing up for GrandCentral. By the way, Google didn't orignate GrandCentral; they bought it from its founders. If you're interested, GrandCentral received a favorable writeup on Lifehacker.com (http://lifehacker.com/software/screenshot-tour/consolidate-your-phones-with-grandcentral-317475.php). I'm not trying to sell anyone on Grandcentral (and, in truth, haven't really used my account all that much yet); I just wanted to let those who might be interested know about it. And as with all such services, one should always be comfortable with their privacy policy before signing up. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19767 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:27:44 +0000 RunesageMagik 19767@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Davee, just FYI... temp phone numbers for privacy is a great idea, but the last time I checked (at least a few months ago), numbr.com was temporarily out of service, some sort of internal reorg. As of tonight, the site is still not accepting new users. As for Google, call me paranoid, but since they merged with Doubleclick, I've treated every expansion of their ability to access personal info as highly suspect. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19745 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:12:06 +0000 davee 19745@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Just a follow up to my previous post. Those of you looking merely for a temporary phone number to give out (like throwaway email addresses) might look into numbr.com. Also, I don't know if either GrandCentral or numbr.com offer services to those living outside of the USA. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19737 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:47:28 +0000 davee 19737@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Those being pestered by telemarketers might look into Google's new GrandCentral service (www.grandcentral.com). Among its many features, it allows you to screen and block callers (even via "phone spam" filters generated from calls reported by users as being from telemarketers, if you so choose). Obviously, this won't help stop telemarketers who already have your real phone number (though I suppose you could forward your real phone number to your GrandCentral number). But you can give your GrandCentral number out when a website or form requires a phone number. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19635 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:42:16 +0000 funkymom 19635@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>rune- those are great!</p> <p>we have such creatively devious people on this site......i love it!</p> <p>:D </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19576 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:06:33 +0000 maizeydaze 19576@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>RM - Hilarious! You know how to give them a kick in the pants! There's some good information in the lawyer link. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19569 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:02:18 +0000 RunesageMagik 19569@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Years before the Do Not Call Registry, I had to answer my business phones rather than let the trusty machine screen calls. Loved toying with cold callers to see how frustrated they'd get. One of my best gag routines - start by saying "hello" to see if it's an autodialer. (classic pregnant pause before the call distributor shunts it to a real live jerk)<br /> This was during the heyday of penny stock touts, so I'd keep all my answers brief:<br /> yeah, un huh, maybe, okay, wow, sure<br /> Always use a soft nondescript voice. I could waste upwards of 15 minutes of their time, slowly warming up to ordering shares of a worthless canadian shell company. When they were hot to close the deal, I'd yell "Okay mommy" and in a child-like voice, tell the caller, "Mommy says I have to hang up the phone now". You wouldn't believe the angry, threatening responses that generated!</p> <p>Other routines I found successful- </p> <p><strong>Fake salesman</strong><br /> Caller: Is this &lt;so and so&gt;<br /> Me: Yes! Where did you hear about my products and how many would you like?<br /> Caller: I was calling to off you a special on &lt;whatever&gt;<br /> Me: <em>(launch into runon sentence spiel, never give the caller a chance to talk, or talk right over him until he gives up)</em> Well that is a coincidence because I was about to call and offer you a special on MY &lt;whatever&gt; because my special is better than your special or anyone's special since we make the best darned &lt;whatever&gt; in the US and ...</p> <p><strong>Fake receptionist</strong><br /> Caller: Is this &lt;so and so&gt;? (these instant "pals" always ask for me by a nickname I NEVER use)<br /> Me: Please Hold &lt;press 2 or 3 keys to make it sound like you're transferring&gt; and put it on mute.<br /> The stupid ones call back and say "Please put me right through to &lt;so and so&gt;, we were disconnected."<br /> Me: Oh, I'm so sorry. Please Hold &lt;press 2 or 3 keys to make it sound like you're transferring&gt; and put it on mute again.</p> <p><strong>Fake schizophrenic</strong> (when you can hear a boiler roomful of callers in the background)<br /> Caller: Is this &lt;so and so&gt;?<br /> Me: Uh, can you hear those voices? Can you make them stop?<br /> Caller: (fiddles with mike) Is that better?<br /> Me: Ohmigawd, now they're in the phone! I hear the voices in the phone, not just in my head!<br /> Caller: Can I speak to...<br /> Me: There are so many voices and they're all speaking at once! The medicine isn't working anymore.<br /> Caller: hangs up</p> <p><strong>Angry Hubby</strong> -<br /> Caller: Hi, is this &lt;so and so&gt;?<br /> Me: Look, you pervert, my wife's already alerted the cops and phone company; but if I track you down first, I'll cut your **** off and feed them to my rotweiller. &lt;SLAM&gt;</p> <p><strong>One I always wanted to try:</strong><br /> Caller (clearly from India): Hello, sir,<br /> Me: Is this call originating from Canada, Mexico or India?<br /> Caller: India<br /> Me: Please press 1 for hindi, 2 for urdu, 3 for marathi, 4 for punjabi, 5 for tamili, 6 for telegu, 7 for malyalam, 8 for kanadda, 9 for gujarati, 10 for rajasthani, 11 for manipuri, 12 for oriyya, 13 for assami, 14 for dogri, 15 for bengali and then remain on the line. Approx wait time is 17 minutes.</p> <p>The DNCR definitely slashes incoming calls, especially in conjunction with exercising your right to opt out of 3rd party harassment (I never waste a stamp, I call my lenders and utilities direct on their 800#, drilling down to the compliance section), using temp email addies, never filling out promotional coupons, and never providing real contact info to register for anything unless absolutely necessary. </p> <p>Donations? I caution recipients that if I am EVER called for more $$, I will remove them from my list. Unsolicited requests - I gently advise that I ONLY donate to &lt;fill in a topic 180-degrees opposite their need&gt; and gently hang up... unless it's the donate to your local sheriff scam, in which case I laugh and tell them to stick a radar camera where the sun doesn't shine.</p> <p>A lawyer's way of getting even -<br /> <a href="http://www.panix.com/~eck/telemarket.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.panix.com/~eck/telemarket.html</a></p> <p>Maizey, Tom Mabe definitely created a new art form. By far, my favorite has always been his murder scene prank - <a href="http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_murder_scene.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_murder_scene.htm</a></p> <p>FWWI, I never leave my fax ON, and by using fax software, spammers never waste $$$ ink. Can't vouch for this site, but look into it if you suffer from incessant free vacation scam faxes or local unsolicited restaurant faxes - <a href="http://www.junkfax.org/fax/action/stop.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.junkfax.org/fax/action/stop.html</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19559 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:34:41 +0000 scubaguy 19559@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>@funkymom<br /> In this case it's more fun to Not get mad just get even!!! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19558 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:30:54 +0000 scubaguy 19558@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Here is a link to the site,to register or make sure you are on the list.</p> <p><a href="https://www.donotcall.gov/" rel="nofollow">https://www.donotcall.gov/</a></p> <p>This was copied from the site page.</p> <p>"Your registration will not expire. The Federal Trade Commission will not drop any telephone numbers from the National Do Not Call Registry based on a five-year expiration period pending final Congressional or agency action on whether to make registration permanent. Read more about it at."</p> <p> <a href="http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/10/dnctestimony.shtm." rel="nofollow">http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/10/dnctestimony.shtm.</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19524 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:18:30 +0000 funkymom 19524@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>scubaguy- you must have a lot of fun.<br /> great stuff!</p> <p>:D </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19422 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:51:24 +0000 sukibabe 19422@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Scubaguy</p> <p>For the fifth routine you could use the call waiting button, if you have that feature.</p> <p>Suki </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19418 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:10:09 +0000 maizeydaze 19418@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Scubaguy - I concur with copmom. Some ingenious stuff there! You must really know how to have fun.:) </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19411 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:18:00 +0000 copmom 19411@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Scubaguy.. some GREAT ideas! Loved reading your solutions! Have a GREAT day all!<br /> {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} ~ Lauri </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759/page/2#post-19363 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:38:47 +0000 graylox 19363@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Life can be so fun! I think I'll go out of the secret list. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19362 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:23:29 +0000 scubaguy 19362@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>FYI even though you may be on the Do not call list (in the USA)people who can still call you or are exempt from the rules of the list are.</p> <p>1.Any business whom you deal with,gas co.,electric co.,phone co.,insurance co.,<br /> and so on, in case they have some other service they want to try and sell you Although usually after telling them not to call any more they will stop, not wanting to damage the re pore they already have with you. </p> <p>2.Any credit cards that you have and they are the maine culprits because they want to try and sell you some kind of extra service,such as travel plan,credit monitoring service,or other useless service, Again telling not to call works sometimes.</p> <p>3.Any charity or political organization are allowed to call,as well as newspaper and magazine subscriptions you may have.</p> <p>4.The worst are those that just ignore the list altogether.</p> <p>So after the DNC list came out I singed up right away,but still kept getting unsolicited calls,a reduced amount because of the list but yet still to many for my liking.So after many hang ups,swearing at them and still having to wade through endless recordings just to get to the valid messages.I was still frustrated and decided to give them a taste of there own medicine.<br /> I had received a gag gift that was in a drawer(a little device that has about 8 different recordings of the sound of passing gas) which I will refer to as the FART MACHINE.It is very realistic and disgusting to say the least.I'm sure you can see where this is going,but you really have to sell the idea to the telemarketer.<br /> Conversation goes like this.</p> <p>Telemarketer= Hi my name is Mr Full-of-Boloney and would like to tell you about a product I'm sure you'll be interested in,it's called the Piece-of-Crap DooHicky.</p> <p>My Reply = Wow! this amassing I was just thinking about purchasing a Piece-of-Crap DooHicky,(This usually sucks them in especially if they are new and in training,you can tell there reading a prewritten text.)</p> <p>TM.= Great then let me explain how it works and the cost,(I let them go into there speech for about 15 or 20 seconds)</p> <p>My Reply = (FART MACHINE)set to very loud Ffffrrrrrrhf!! and I don't say a word pretending that he didn't hear it.I let him or her go on with speech,wait 10 or 15 seconds and (Fart Machine again Slightly different sound PPPhhhwwwffhh!! and say I'm really sorry about that I'm on medication that causes a lot of gas,but please go on.(I will continue this for as long as they will put up with it,they usually just hang up,or I will excuse myself and say I have to go to the bathroom, but I'm really interested in what they have to say and could they just hold on for a second,because I'll be right back,( then I put the phone down and wait to see how long they hold on before hanging up.</p> <p>The second method I use is the (I'm hard of hearing and slightly senile routine).For this you have to think fast about words that will rhyme with what they are saying.Say for example the TM is selling Window screens.</p> <p>TM = Hi my name is Mr.Full-of-Boloney and would like to tell you about a product I'm sure you'll be interested in,it's called Window Screening,our product(I interrupt them with).</p> <p>My Reply = (Done in a loud voice)WHAT!! No! I don't scream out the window!!!</p> <p>TM = No No!! Sir not screaming, this is in regards to your window,(again I interrupt with)</p> <p>My reply = (Loudly) What!!I don't need you to guard my window What are you talking about??</p> <p>TM = ( now He's starting to shout in to the phone thinking I can't hear )Sir!! Maybe I could Talk to your wife.(always interrupting them)</p> <p>My Reply= No!! My name ain't Barney Fiffe! Hey! Who are calling you must have the wrong number.I will keep going until they hang up, and it doesn't take long especially if you keep saying WHAT DID YOU SAY!!??? </p> <p>The third routine,is to just play stupid keep telling them I don't understand?(TM)Sir what don't you understand?(ME)Well that first part you said.(TM)What about the first part Sir??(ME)I don't remember?Maybe you should repeat it again?(TM)repeats the whole thing again.(ME) Sorry who are you again!!(TM) He repeats the whole thing over.(ME) I don't understand???At this point it's very hard for me not to start laughing because you can tell how frustrated they are.</p> <p>Forth routine, pretend your talking to someone else in the room about something like the shopping list they have to buy(and don't say excuse me to the TM just abruptly start talking to the imaginary person in the background) Start naming off a long list of ingredients for the dinner meal,Then go back to the TM,and say now what were you talking about??Let them start talking again,then to Imaginary person you say,OH I forgot? You have to get .....and just keep interrupting the TM with that. </p> <p>Fifth routine,only works if you have a hold button on the phone.Just keep telling them OH! I'm sorry could you hold for a second,and before they reply hit the hold button,Waite about 30 seconds it seems like forever to them,then get back to them and pretend like you forgot what they were calling about,let them start over,and keep putting them on hold.</p> <p>I had so much fun frustrating and irritating them,that I was just waiting for the next TM to call.If you just think of what other people have done to you on the phone that was irritating you can come up with all sorts of routines.</p> <p>DON"T GET MAD!!GET EVEN!! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19351 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:03:43 +0000 graylox 19351@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>whooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawhoooooooooo </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19350 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:00:01 +0000 funkymom 19350@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>this has turned into a fun thread.</p> <p>graylox- that is just creepy.<br /> -----------------------------<br /> <strong>edit-</strong><br /> i just read your last post graylox(we must have been typing at the same time). that is <strong>way beyond</strong> creepy! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19349 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:58:28 +0000 graylox 19349@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Yes <strong>mazeydaze</strong> that was creepy, you feel so exposed.<br /> The police investigation did find telephone numbers, but no private photos or notes. Only pictures of feet, feet with injuries or mutilation and shoes. Photos of shoes, old shoes, new shoes, all for women, some shoemaker tools. Most of those shoes were made over to some kind of orthopedic shoes. He even had some peg legs, and other orthopedic assistive technology in his odd collection.<br /> It was a man in his seventies, and -yes now I have to tell the rest of the story - he hung himself during the investigations.<br /> graylox </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19346 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:08:24 +0000 maizeydaze 19346@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Oh Graylox, that's rather creepy having that man living nearby. Do you think he was watching you? You were smart to blow the whistle on him. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19343 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:29:19 +0000 graylox 19343@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>A little story,that suddenly came out of my memory pool :</p> <p>Once upon a time, long before telemarketing and answering machines, I got a call from a shoemaker.<br /> An orthopedic shoemaker he said he is.<br /> He wanted to remember me, that my orthopedic shoes are ready to pick up.<br /> Upon my reply, that he must be wrong at this phone-number, he only repeated his first announcement. I didn't want to be impolite, and tried to explain that he got the wrong connection. Unimpressed by my answer, he carried on with speaking about the orthopedic shoes with size 35 1/2 (<em>that would fit a child</em>). Now I got amused and got into this bizarre conversation. He went on praising his orthopedic (<em>that was immense crucial to him</em>) shoes sized 35 1/2, asking about my instep and width of my feet, but never waited for (and got) an answer. His voice was normal and in no way offending. After a while I got enough, said polite good bye.<br /> Some days later the same story repeated; at his third call I only answered with the football whistle. That had blown him away.<br /> Later on, there was an article in the paper, that the police had got a guy, who had offended some women, pretending he was an orthopedic shoemaker - you know the story.<br /> But that was not all, he was caught, because he harassed girls from a nearby primary school.<br /> Perhaps you can guess my feelings, as I recognized him as a neighbor.<br /> graylox </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19339 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:02:00 +0000 copmom 19339@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Had to add this! Just saw this in the February 2008 Reader's Digest:</p> <p>Help Wanted<br /> From the University of Mississippi's "The Daily Mississippian", a dose of sweet irony:<br /> "Telemarketers: Now hiring telemarketers. Flexible hours available. Experience preferred. No phone calls, please". </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19338 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:37:11 +0000 maizeydaze 19338@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>copmom - Here are links to Tom Mabe's telemarketer pranks with the one you liked and a couple more.</p> <p><a href="http://egret-annex.com/mp3_player/hitcallcrimescene.htm" rel="nofollow">http://egret-annex.com/mp3_player/hitcallcrimescene.htm</a><br /> <a href="http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_wake_up_call.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_wake_up_call.htm</a><br /> <a href="http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_add.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.tommabe.com/videos/video_add.htm</a></p> <p>And here are Tom's telemarketer facts: <a href="http://tommabe.com/facts.php" rel="nofollow">http://tommabe.com/facts.php</a></p> <p>Oh, found another list similar to Bubby's: <a href="http://www.boloji.com/humor/jokes/043.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.boloji.com/humor/jokes/043.htm</a> </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19333 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:46:08 +0000 copmom 19333@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Good ones BuBBy! I think the best one is to just ask them to hold on, then go about your business, finish your dinner, go to the bathroom, do whatever you were doing. Since they have to reach as many people as possible so they can make some sales, they'll get the message!</p> <p>I think the best one I've heard, (it's too long to put on here), is an WMV file I got where the person answering pretends they're a policeman, and they're at a murder scene, and he starts asking the caller, "how did you know the person you're calling, and are you a homosexual, and what is your name and phone number, and that they've notified the police in the callers area and they would be right over", etc.</p> <p>Another one is to just ask them for their name and home phone number so you can call them back at your convenience! They don't want to give you their home #, but.. you say, "you called ME at MY home number", so turn abouts fair play!</p> <p>The part that kills me about most of those calls is you can hear all the other people calling in the background of the 'boiler room' they're working in! And lately, it's not even a person on the phone, it's a recording that you think is someone until you start answering them! </p> <p>As for the one where the phone rings, you answer, no one's there.. that's usually an automatic computerized dialing system .. like they'll call 0000, then 0001, 0002, etc. If someone answers one of those numbers, then a live person calls that number. That's how they get all the unlisted numbers!</p> <p>Maybe we need to post a list of 1,001 ways to turn the tables on telemarketers?? </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19331 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:17:38 +0000 maizeydaze 19331@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Bubby - "Tell them about a <a href="http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart2.htm">rash</a> you once had, describe your bowel movements and ask them if that is normal."? You're a hoot! </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19330 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:32:04 +0000 graylox 19330@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p><strong>BuBBy</strong> you made my day ! Thanks </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19327 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:22:38 +0000 BuBBy 19327@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>I like telemarketers - It might not exactly be polite, but if they continue to ignore your request not to call.</p> <p>1. Tell them someone is at the front door - and can they hold. Then just put the phone down on the bench and go on with whatever you were doing.</p> <p>2. Blowing a football whistle into the phone is almost as unpleasant as having your evening meal interrupted each night - but the ringing in their ears will last a little longer. (If they complain - you were having a childrens birthday party - it must've been one of the kids - they all got whistles in their loot bags). Then blow the whistle again.</p> <p>3. Driving around to their business/offices late at night and cutting their phone lines can be inconvenient - especially if they rely on their phones (Phone company technicians can usually come around to make the repairs within the same week). (This may not be legal but putting a shovel (or a backhoe if you have contacts) through underground phone cables can look unintentional.</p> <p>4. Just start randomly pressing phone buttons every few seconds - don't respond to any questions, just continue "beeping" on your phone, while they go through their spiel. Sometimes a hacking cough, clearing your throat, spitting and the occasional belch can make it difficult to sell when they know the message isn't getting across. Occasionally saying "Hello??" (because you cannot hear anything) and maybe mumbling something about "stupid phone never works, people should speak up so I can hear them".</p> <p>5. Have the person speak louder. then when you have to respond - act like you still cannot hear them. Then they are speaking too fast - need to slow down, because you are taking notes, then read it back to them - but get it all wrong. Ask "is that correct" when they respond, you cannot hear them (or they are talking to fast). Get them to go over it again. Start asking unrelated questions - "do they know the best way to cook corned beef", "where are the spark plugs on my car" - start talking about your favorite teacher when you went to school - then suddenly start speaking in broken english - and apologise for not speaking english - ask them extremely personal questions about their sex life. Tell them about a rash you once had, describe your bowel movements and ask them if that is normal. Tell them to wait on the phone because you just remembered you have a hired DVD that is due back at the shop - and you have less than an hour to return it. Don't hang up the phone, just leave it next to the radio (half tuned in, half static) -go off and do whatever you feel like. </p> <p>I think you get the idea.</p> <p>Another I just thought of - tell them it's not a good time, and ask them to call back at... (and give them a specific date and time... when you will NOT be at home), usually they will agree to ring back because you haven't outright rejected them. If later they ring you back and mention you weren't at home - argue with them insisting you have never left the house in 9 years because of the radiation the government sprays on people to control them and get into their thoughts. Become paranoid that the caller is actually "one of them". Refuse to discuss anything further until the caller can prove they haven't been irradiated. Warn them that the phones have been tapped by the aliens for "training purposes". </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19279 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:39:31 +0000 maizeydaze 19279@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Thanks for all the suggestions. This gives much to ponder. But for now, I'm <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/redlex/460805555/sizes/m/">patiently waiting by the phone</a> for that guy to call back so I can blast the recording back in his ear.:) </p> <p>I have DSL, Dish Network (200 channels for 4 rooms) and phone (w/100 min/month long distance &#38; all the calling features) bundled together for about $130 a month. I don't know if that's good or bad. Can't get cable TV and cell phones don't get a signal because I live in an isolated tight valley. I'm just lucky they put a Walmart super center in a few miles away and their DSL hub is located on the lines to my house. Two years ago I still had dial-up that wouldn't connect above 26Kbps with 56K modem. It was painfully slow. </p> http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2759#post-19277 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:27:26 +0000 turkishvan007 19277@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ <p>Hi, not sure what the law are like where you are from but we don't have a no-call list where I'm from. We have harassment laws, ombudsman, etc. Normally when you ask to be removed from the master list the telemarketers will do so but I had one that didn't. I finally called the head office talked to a Manager (got her name and tele #) and said I wanted to be removed from all of their lists. She hummed and hawed and I said if I get one more call from any of the branches of their company I would lodge a harassment complaint with the police, ombudsman or whoever I could think of. To date, it's been almost a year and no monthly phone calls have been received from this company. Maybe something like this would work for you too! </p>