How Do You Handle Telemarketers?

Subject: Debt collectors...
From: Bernard
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 04:57 AM

Most of the calls at work are from debt collecting agencies or web designers.

I usually turn the tables on the debt collectors by letting them go on a bit - at their expense! - and then offering the services of our accounts clerk 'who is ever so good - she would improve your success rate no end!!'...

As for the web designers, I let them dig their own hole as they tell me what's wrong with our website, then gently (!) point out that i designed it, and it is sufficient for our needs!!

They've got to earn a crust somehow, I suppose - what annoys me is they are probably earning more than me!!

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,gwi
Date: 16 Feb 01 - 10:38 PM

I goof up their script first, by asking them "What are you going to try to sell me? Then I very firmly explain to them that I do not want to be telephoned about their procucts, and ask them to kindly remove my name (or my husband's name) from their lead lists. I wish them a nice evening and if another should happen to call two or three weeks later from the same organization I ask them why they are calling after I requested that I be removed from their lists? Then IF they are stupid enough to try again i threaten them with reporting them to their mother company..... the third time is truly the charm....

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,SingSong
Date: 16 Feb 01 - 02:26 AM

I use the same thing for telemarketers that I use for the sweet (but pompous) little Mormon boys and the impossibly earnest Jehovah's Witnesses: I let them go on a little bit while I stare off into space. Then I say, very gently, "Oh, no thank you, I pack my lunch." Then I just stare off into space 'til they either leave or hang up. It's fun. It's harmless. It's healthy! Try it!

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 01 - 11:32 AM

I have found that the most frequent callers to my business number are long distance phone service providers and stock market people.

The long distance guys are really annoying. There are a surprising number of them, and they ALL claim to be offering the cheapest service available if you switch over. God knows which one of them actually is the cheapest, it is virtually impossible to figure that out.

I got one once and she asked if she could speak to the person in charge of long distance billing. I said "No, I'm afraid you can't." She asked "Why?" I said, "He got so depressed with all the calls from long distance servers that he decided to end it all, and jumped off a cliff last week. Since then we have decided to give up on long distance altogether, and we only communicate by email, or failing that, carrier pigeon."

I still haven't sold the bridge in Coldwater to anyone, by the way, but I remain hopeful...

In the society I like to envision (a non-competitive one that does things not to make money, but to make things better) there would be no need for all this nonsense, and people would not have to be driven in desperation to such jobs as telemarketing. Nor would there be casinos, needless to say...since there would be no money to gamble for.

Ferengi go home.

- LH

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: ddw
Date: 15 Feb 01 - 01:37 AM

I used to just tell them I wasn't interested and hang up. When the practice got prevalent enough to REALLY be annoying (I used to work midnights and sleep in the daytime — which made it worse) I started getting really rude with them. Then I thought, yeah, some poor schmuck is really hard up for a job and there's not reason to take it out on him.

Finally I hit on what I consider the perfect way to handle them. As soon as you're sure it's a telemarketer call, ask them to repeat the name of the company and ask them to spell it. Then tell them you'll put that on your list of companies that you would NEVER do business with because they had the gall to invade your privacy.

My bank was calling three or four times a week, always in the evening when I'm at work, and running my wife nuts because they only wanted to talk to me. They finally called during the day and I told the woman to take my name off the list and if the bank EVER called me again I would cease to do any kind of business with them. I got a profuse apology and haven't had a call since.

dav id

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Gypsy
Date: 15 Feb 01 - 01:05 AM

But it goes much further than annoyance. My mother in law was hooked into the lotteries by phone. They extorted HUGE amounts of money from her...like half my years wage in one month. When she slowed up on sending money, they would send itsy checks of perhaps 7 to 10 dollars. They then would take her account number off the check, and withdraw money from her account. Most of these places were located in south Florida, where there is no BBB. I have written to the governor, and various agencies. What worked, was moving her into our home, and not listing her in the phone book with our number. We also left no forwarding number. I'm sorry that these people have a nasty job, heaven knows, i've done nastier to put bread on the table. But some of these schemes are downright injurious.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,sharon
Date: 14 Feb 01 - 09:11 PM

My favorite is simply the word "no." Is the man of the house there? "no" Do you know when he will return? "no" Can you make the decision about your long distance carrier? "no." Do you own your home, or do you rent? "no" Pardon me.... "no." It becomes quite hilarious at times and they often end up hanging up on me rather than vice versa. Try it next time!

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,tar_heel
Date: 14 Feb 01 - 02:40 PM

telemarketer starts his pitch....i interupt by asking,"if you will give me your name and phone number,i'll call you back at my convenience!"telemarketer replies..."geez,i cant have you calling me any ole time of the day or night!".....to which i replied,"now you know how i feel...CLICK!!"

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 14 Feb 01 - 08:36 AM

You could always pull a classic Homer Simpson line, like "Can't talk. Eating."

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,geoff wright
Date: 14 Feb 01 - 08:33 AM

Just say "wait a minute", put the phone next to the television and sit back down. Its their bill and their time. Put the phone back on hook after 5 minutes.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 04:50 PM

Part of the problem is that it takes a while. Even after you ask to be removed, they ALL have to call and you have to tell them ALL. This could take several months, even if the lists are shared.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: wdyat12
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 02:19 PM

Ever since I got an email address on AOL I have been plagued with telemarketers from everywhere. I find AOL to be the most intrusive host anyway, but the calls have got to stop. I tried several polite methods to discourage them, but failed miserably. The last one I got this morning I lost it! Maybe that will work. wdyat12

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 01:08 PM

Deckman, I don't know what state you're in, but I can speak for Kentucky and Missouri...call the Attorney General's office. (accoring to Kim C, Tennessee also) I suspect most states have programs in place already and would love to hear from concerned citizens

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Kim C
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 12:29 PM

Deckman, start with your state legislators and see if there is any support for something like what we did in Tennessee. As far as I know, our do not call list passed with flying colors. I think such a list is a good idea because it gives people a choice of whether or not they want to be called. I can't say that I'm in favor of stopping telemarketing altogether, because there are some services available that some people want. For instance, we would gladly speak to the Time-Life books people, because several times they had something we wanted, and they were polite. But I guess they won't be calling me anymore. There's always snail mail, though, and it's a small price to pay for all those credit card companies that call and want you to sign up for some dumb club that costs $80 a year and is supposed to save you money.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:59 PM

Sorry deckman, but I tried. Read my previous post. As to stopping the practice of telemarketing, the only things that will ever take effect are changes in the FCC standards and many of them (requesting to be removed from lists, etc.) have already been put into place. When you try to stop the thing altogether, you run afoul of free trade practice and business will win that one every time.

Sorcha gave you the FCC site and you can contact them and take advantage of all the barriers currently in effect, but as long as companies sell mailing/phone lists, nothing you do will stop it completely. Do as I said and change your number to an unlisted one and don't give it out except in emergency situations.

Spaw

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,richlmo
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:45 PM

"I'm not interested." "CLICK"

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:22 PM

At the point of being RUDE, I'm going to ask the same question for the THIRD TIME ... how do we get rid of telemarketeers. I don't need more cute put-offs, or put downs. I want specific examples, like from the State of Tennessee, of HOW we change Washington State law to stop this filthy practice. I have NO sympathy for these people who call me 15 times a day. Seriously, let's get organized and figure it out. I know that somewhere, somehow, somebody is smarter than me about this issue. Educate me PLEASE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? thanks, the deck man.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: jofield
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:16 PM

Jerry Seinfeld had a run in the old standup segment of his TV show about how he stops telemarketers to ask for their home number. They of course ask why and he says, "So I can call you up and bother you tomorrow night".

But serially, I have found that quickly interjecting a thanks for the call, then explaining that you are about to move out of the country ends the conversation right there.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: DancingMom
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:04 PM

My young son went through a period when he loved to answer the phone (after we made sure he was acquainted with telephone etiquette). But unfortunately most of the telemarketers did not practice the Golden Rule that we wanted to train him up in, and they hung up on him. They've pretty well spoiled any enjoyment I ever had of talking on the phone, and we were getting 12-15 such calls a day, a major invasion of our privacy. Caller ID minimizes these disruptions.We NEVER answer an "out-of-area" call.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Marion
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 10:49 PM

I was a telemarketer once, for about five hours, at a time in my life when I couldn't find any other options.

My supervisors said that I had a fine phone voice but was far too ready to take no for an answer.

Just remember that the caller almost certainly doesn't want to be a telemarketer - and didn't make up the stupid script - and has to follow the stupid script to keep the job.

I suggest the brief and frank response: "Not interested," or "I don't take phone solicitations," then hang up.

Marion

PS Thanks to WYSIWIG, Jeri, McGrath, Rick, Rowana, and anyone I've overlooked who spared a word of sympathy for telemarketers. And speaking of cabby licenses, I just got mine today! I wonder if that means anything...

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 10:22 PM

Usually when they say how are you today Mr. -- I say "busy" and hang up - without waiting for the answer. If they keep talking I either hang up or (if Im feeling a bit polite) I interrupt them to say no thanks bye and then hang up. As far as charities I tell them I do not give to telephone charities (that I have specific charities I give to). There are many organizations that sound like worthy causes blah blah crippled children that have been exposed as total frauds. when I lived with my folks my mother was an easy target as she always gave in to these charities and we could tell when they called as they mispronounced the name (while waiting for you to correct them) We started screening them and once when I asked who it was the caller said Tom, Tom from where? Tom from Vancouver! when I said my mother is busy - he said "Fuck You you goof" and hung up. I told my mom, these are the people you give money to. They moved and got an unlisted number and the problem disappeared. What I find that works quite well now is I tell them they called me the day before (makes it look like theres a double entry in their system. Sometimes the phone rings, you answer it and nothing. And a minute later a telemarketer calls. (apparently their dialers will detect that someone is there and will try again - as theres no one to talk to you. ONly youve just wasted your time answering the phone for nothing. For this reason I dont care I some poor shmuck is doing that job, they are wasting my time and its usually around the time Im having dinner. I once volunteered for a local political party, making calls (from a list mostly of known supporters) and received a whole range of responses (we were asking if we could count on their support and to make sure they voted) some people were friendly some people were polite and others were downright rude and hung up. (and I sympathized with them)

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,Earl
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 06:32 PM

There's a guy named Tom Mabe who has a series of CD's called "Revenge on the Telemarkers." He records all his phone calls and when it's a telemarketer he gives them some absurd story until the telemarketer is either so angry or confused they hang up. Then he releases the best on CD.

He had one convinced he was drunk on his car phone, another that he had to translate the whole call for his Korean wife, another that he was interested in bay windows for his automobile.

It's juvenile at times but very satisfying.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Kim C
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 05:43 PM

Kendall, are you talking about Mountain Meadows? I know very little about that but it's an interesting story...

While I generally don't want to talk to telemarketers (because for some reason, the ones who called me didn't have anything I wanted), I will talk to people who want my opinion. I don't mind surveys at all. I am now on a list for a radio-opinion thing where they play me clips of popular songs and I get to tell them if I like them or not. It has given me great satisfaction to tell them that I have NEVER LIKED the theme from the new Charlie's Angels movie. :)

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Fortunato
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 03:59 PM

When they ask for me using Mr. and my last name, I say: "This is he, take me off your list, and all the lists you have access to." When they ask for me by my first name I say: "No." and hang up.

regards, Fortunato

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 03:51 PM

MMario - That has gotta be the best stunt I've heard of yet! Ha! Ha! Ha! ROTFLSHTICHBATFFOMBAND!!!

How's that for an acronym?

:-)

-LH

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: RichM
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 03:32 PM

Kendall, I'm curious....where can I find out more about Brigham Young and the 150 murdered people? I don't think the official mormon sites would want to answer this one!

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 03:03 PM

Answer Machine I like the suggestion - Sing to them Write a song just for them It will melt their Art! Sugestions for the first line please. Or how about the title? The Last of Parrots Marketeers?

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 02:31 PM

I like to talk to Mormons. I ask them why Brigham Young ordered the murder of 150 innocent people in a wagon train just passing through.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: MMario
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:55 PM

I like the story of the person who answered the door - knowing it was evangelists - wearing the hooded robe , hood up and shadowing their face, "Good! The Master Said the sacrifice would be here in time!"

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,guestguestguest(intruder)guest
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:53 PM

that's odd...

i found a polite, prompt, reasonably priced carpet cleaner by having the idiot builder of my house neglect the connection of two showerheads, and getting a flood in my family room the day i moved in.

and that was far less irritating than telemarketers.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Melani
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:49 PM

I have to admit that I really don't mind telemarketers very much, but then I only get the ocassional odd call, probably because my usual policy is to hang up very quickly. They play on the fact that we are trained to only hang up by mutual agreement, so most people find it hard to hang up without getting the caller's "permission." I figure the most polite thing I can do for someone's who's just trying to make a living is to not waste their time. And every now and then, I actually want the service in question. I found a great chimney sweep and a polite, prompt and inexpensive carpet cleaner through telemarketing calls.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: campfire
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:37 PM

My brother has a service through the phone company called "Privacy Manager". When a caller comes up as "unidentified" or "anonymous", the call is not put through right away. The caller has to say who they are in order to put the call through. Most telemarketers won't. When his girlfriend calls (she has an "unavailable" number due to her profession) all she has to do is say "It's Marge" and the call goes right through to my brothers phone.

I'm not sure what he pays for the service, and you have to have Caller ID first, but he loves it.

campfire

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Don Firth
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:33 PM

Damn! Just discovered I misspelled "keister!"

Don Firth

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Don Firth
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:26 PM

I just heard a news item on the TV not more than an hour ago about telemarketing calls. Apparently, the statement "put my number on your no-call list" legally requires them to do ecactly that, and if they do call you again within a ten-year period, they are subject to a fairly stiff fine. Of course, this doesn't stop them from calling in the first place.

My brother-in-law (my sister's husband) was an airline pilot (now retired), and during some of his off hours he was "on call" and had to stay near a telephone. Not unlike Bob's situation, he had to answer the phone and was perpetually being interrupted by somebody trying to sell him aluminum siding or magazine subscriptions. He soon learned that a lot of airline pilots, doctors, and other people in similar "on call" situations have two separate phone numbers: one is in the phone book; the other is unlisted, and it's the unlisted one they give to their family, close friends, and anyone who has to get in touch with them. The listed number they answer only if they're curious, feel magnanimous, or feel like making a telemarketer's life a living hell.

There are a couple of ways you can do it: 1) two numbers on the same line, each with its own distinctive ring, so you know which number is being called; 2) two separate lines, each with its own number and its own distinctive ring.

This works pretty well, but the pain in the kiester is that you have to pay a higher phone bill just to protect yourself. My brother-in-law gets some of it back in the he opted to hook things up. He has his computer modem hooked up to the listed number. That way, telemarketers get either a busy signal or no answer. It also has the advantage that when John is surfing the Internet, Pat (or, for that matter, John) can still use the phone.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:26 PM

Regarding the Jehovah's witnesses, the Mormons, etc. coming to your door...

I enjoy talking about religion sometimes, if I have the time, so I just talk them blue in the face until they become stupefied and leave. It's great fun to take them outside the parameters of their little Dick and Jane primers, and see how they react. I talk to them about other religions, mysticism, reincarnation, parallel universes, Buddha, Taoism, Native American beliefs, religion on other planets, and so on. Of course, sometimes, I don't have the time for that...in which case I don't answer the door if I see them coming.

My friend Walsh has a lot of nerve. He saw some old lady Jehovah's witnesses approaching down the sidewalk. He quickly stripped off all his clothing except for his boxer shorts, and waited for the doorbell to ring. When it did, he threw open the door, and with a big smile on his face said, "Hi! You're just in time for the orgy!!!"

You never saw two old ladies disappear so fast.

- LH

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:23 PM

I am very polite, listen to the spiel, say no thank you, say it again, say it again, and eventually I'm allowed to hang up. But that's mostly to counter the effects of those who just hang up, I mean, if I have the time, why not be nice, they're only working. If I don't have the time I say so, nicely, and then hang up. But most of the time one of my 5-year olds will answer the phone anyway, and half the time they hang up and if I ask who it was they say Oh, they didn't want to talk to you, so I assume it's a telemarketer getting off the phone. I tell you, having a small child to screen your calls is better than an answering machine, I don't even have to delete after!

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,guestguest(teleintruder)guest
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:00 PM

Usually, I stop the spiel with...

"Would you do two things for me?"

"Have a good (day/night)and...

Put me on your "Don't Call" List."

'Tis the LAW!!! in these here UnitedSlates, and i'm down to 3 - 4 calls/month.

It seems they share calling lists.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:56 AM

Several have mentioned the laws in their respective states. I think you can call the atorney general's office in an individual state and get various no-call lists, etc. My cousin in Missouri participated in the "Senior Sting" operation from the atorney general's office. As I understand it, if you say, "I'm not interested," the telemarketer must stop immediately. She was part of a group of senior citizens who reported those who did not stop.

My main gripe is that they have started calling businesses now. Often I have to neglect some very important work to answer the phone. I really get irritated when I drop everything to get to the phone, and it's not a call related to business.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:54 AM

Like GUEST,Russ, we screen all calls w/ the answering machine. In our brief message, it *says* that we screen all calls & to leave a brief message. The thing that's been irritating us lately is that we are receiving hang-up calls sometimes every 15 minutes. Do you suppose that's a computer calling or just very stupid people? Like others have said, I realize that some people can't get a better job than telemarketing & I do sympathize, but not enough to want my privacy invaded. If we *really* don't want to be disturbed, we leave the machine on, but turn down the volume on both the answering machine & the ringer. Answer messages when it's convenient. We are in NY & are on the no-call list.

bbc

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: kendall
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:42 AM

I have a hand made sign on my door which reads: MY DOG CAN MAKE IT TO THE STREET IN 4 SECONDS...CAN YOU?

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:30 AM

Great,Larry, I have a mental picture of double glazing and fitted-kitchen firms (they're the ones that always phone us up!) with empty order books, looking puzzled at the piles of Sorcha Dorcha CDs in their call centres!
(Don't be so shy,Larry, tell us about your CD and concerts!)
RtS

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: InOBU
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:25 AM

As you all may know, Spaw calls me the plugomatic for my band Sorcha Dorcha (another plug) When I get a tellimarketing call, I try and sell them a Sorcha CD!
Larry

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: sledge
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 10:59 AM

Badly is more often the case than not.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: wes.w
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 10:15 AM

Ella's note above about the UK, is great advice. Look at the front of your local directory under the Unwanted Calls section. You'll find the TPS (telephone preference service) number there. You register with them, and a month after they write and confirm (which took about a week), any calls by these ******* will be illegal. The service is completely free of charge.

Typical that its so badly publicised though!

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Kim C
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 10:08 AM

I used to say, I'm terribly sorry but I'm on a project deadline right now and really don't have time to talk with you. Usually that was true! But just last year, Tennessee instituted a do not call list - I got us on it and we haven't been called anymore. :)

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Pseudolus
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 09:54 AM

Good idea Michael, after the second time they "get the time wrong" tell them that you can't do business with a company that can't keep its appointments!!!

Frank

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Michael in Swansea
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 09:43 AM

For double glazing, make an appointment and then don't be there. When they ring back, the following day, apologise and say you were called away. Make another appointment and don't be there, swear blind they got the time wrong. They soon get the message.
The other way, of course, is to have all the companies reps visit at the same time and be there to price them off against each other. That's fun

Mike

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 09:38 AM

We let our answering machine handle telemarkets, and everybody else. We screen all calls and have done so for years. We never pick up the phone unless we recognize the voice and we are in the mood to talk. Telemarketers in our area never leave messages. People who call us regularly know the drill and will simply keep talking until we pick up the phone. Not all our friends like the way we deal with phone calls, but my wife and I figure that it is not our job to satisfy other people with our phone policy.

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: Pseudolus
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 09:04 AM

It wasn't until recently that my wife and I bought a house but to telemarketers, we still rent. I've tried everything btu we still get the occassional call my least favorite being the electronic, recorded messages that leave you an 800 number to "call right away!!" I've tried calling those numbers to tell them to stop calling but sometimes you have to enter additional information (to another recorded system) before you can get to anybody.....very frustrating.

We had a system a while back where as soon as someone in the neighborhood saw a door to door messenger from the Lord, we called each other up, "Don't answer the door!!!!".

Frank

Subject: RE: How Do You Handle Telemarketers?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 06:18 AM

"see that your personal checks do not have your telephone number imprinted on them."

That's the kind of odd thing you learn about here. I don't think, living in England, that I've ever come across anyone having their phone number on their cheques (as it's spelt here). I take it therefore that it's customary in America.