I'm usually as polite as my mood can tolerate, but tell them, depending on what they are "selling":1. (Somthing I don't want now and don't envision ever wanting:) "I'm sorry, I'm not interested and don't expect to be. Please remove me from your calling list and don't ever call me again. Thank you." (without letting them get in a word edgewise, as they probably just did to me in their speil) Only a few have been persistant, and then I hate to admit I can get as rude as they do, resorting to hanging up on them if needed.
2. (Something I don't think I want, but might) "I never buy anything over the telephone. Please send me all the details in writing, so I can inspect it fully. If I'm interested after I read all about it, I'll contact you. And please don't contact me by phone again." (I've never gotten the written matter)
3. (Ludicrous things - live two months free life insurance "to try out" before I decide if I want it) "I don't plan to die in the next two months so how would I know if I liked it?"
Actually, I did once tell the telemarketer that asked for "Mrs. My Last Name" that she was out of the country. I'm not married, and my mother (who, of course, does not live here) actually was.
Lawn services get the standard: "I have a very big dog (true statement - I try not to lie) that has the run of the yard."
Last week someone tried to "give" me free airline tickets to anywhere in the country if I would come take a 90 minute tour of their resort (located about two hours from here). I asked her if they allow dogs. She said they did not. I said I was then not interested as I have two, and don't travel without them. She was rather incredulous that I couldn't leave them home long enough to tour the resort. I tried to explain that if I couldn't STAY there with my dogs, why would I want to tour it? She said I don't have to stay there to get the free airline tickets, just take the tour. I'm now trying not to laugh, as I ask: Why would I waste your time and mine touring a facility that you've just told me I can't stay at? She didn't have an answer for me, and hung up.
campfire