BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: John O'L
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 01:45 AM

OK, I it's not the person on the end of the line that's to blame, it's as usual, the corporations. Like Optus for instance. I'm forever getting calls from telemarketers in India trying to sell me an Optus contract. I do not abuse them or blow whistles in their ear, obviously no-one does that work by choice, but I would never enter a phone contract with Optus no matter what the're offering.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 03:57 AM

I AM the target and someone chose to persecute me.

I don't want calls, I am on the TPS register and the only calls I get now are from companies I do business with. They get the message as many times as it takes for them to realise all they had to do was consult the register. I already told them, and by implication that I would take my business elsewhere if they called.

I also make it a condition of any purchase via the web that I don't want junk calls, mail, e-mail etc, and by selling to me they agree to my conditions. They still ignore me. But not for long.

I have several times been waiting for calls from people who have a pending death in the family and I don't want my time diluted or blocked.


THATS WHY!


My mobile gets infrequent messages from marketeers - they do try all the numbers. In many cases to see if the number is valid or reap the dividend from responses. One never knows if it is cynical business or trawling for criminal usage. Or both. The network say it can't be stopped. Oh yea? On pay as you go they don't give a shit what happens to you - I cost them money because of there lack of due diligence.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:26 AM

"what they do pay and incentives these companies provide is a better standard of living than existing on welfare"

Ah! That explains why Fascist Johnny is trying to drive wages down... well, no it doesn't, cause the Aussie system is setup such that trying to give someone one of those low paying jobs means that they ARE better off on 'Social Security' - I'm not kidding....

I was with Optus for a while, after Telstra made me redundant.... but Optus's 'Digital' line setup was so pitiful at handling modem calls - I went back to Telstra copper wire service for higher thruput speeds.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Bagpuss
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:56 AM

Since someone mentioned 0870, I thought I would give a plug to a website: http://www.saynoto0870.com/

0870 numbers frequently have high charges and along with 0845, they often aren't included in inclusive calls packages as they are "non geographical" numbers. This website gives you alternative geographical and 0800 (freephone) numbers you can call instead. It is very rare that I haven't been able to get an alternative. I am on an inclusive calls package and it has saved me a lot of money.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: GUEST,Bee
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 08:59 AM

To Old Guy: Quote: "Very considerate of these nice people wot?"

Can you not distinguish between the corporations who use these methods and the people who must work for them?

I do wonder why some of you seem to get so many of these calls though. I've not bothered to get on any no-call lists, but get maybe one call every two weeks or so, usually from a charity or a local business, sometimes a survey. However, I've never purchased anything over the phone or the internet. I buy locally everything I possibly can.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Firecat
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:04 AM

I used to BE a telemarketer until I was recommended by my doctor to quit because I kept losing my voice due to the appalling conditions (windows open in the middle of winter, closed in the middle of summer, no air con... and that's just for starters!).

toadfrog, that wouldn't happen because it is against the law to make sales calls outside the hours of 9 am to 9 pm.

The simplest thing to do is just be polite. Trouble is, on most occasions, I could count the number of people who WEREN'T rude to me on one hand and still have four fingers and a thumb free! Sometimes I would have to have a break because I would be in tears after the amount of verbal abuse.

At the call centre I worked in, I was one of the oldest there, despite the fact I was only 21 when I left. Most of the people were about 16 or 17, and this was their first job. We didn't get a say in who we called because the calls were made via a computer database, and evry so often we would get someone with the wrong name. We also ended up accidentally calling business numbers (I rang a radio station in Crewe by accident!! Made the DJ laugh because he was playing "Hanging on the Telephone" by Blondie at the time...) or mobiles.

Telemarketers are human too, so even if you're having the worst day ever, I can assure you that they are more than likely having an even worse one, bearing in mind that on an average 3 hour shift, they could have to speak to 200 people (at least. I counted on one of my shift and I had spoken to 235 people...) If anyone in the UK wants the TPS number, PM me. I can still remember it off by heart because I think I probably gave it about 10,000 times in my 18 months.

I'll shut up now because everyone is going to hate me.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: number 6
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:11 AM

Well for all you folks whose life is a living hell brought by unwanted phone calls, Liz the Squeak has the answer .... and that is cancel your land line and go get yerselvs a cellular phone, no unsolicited phone calls with that device (for now anyway) ... and for Old Guy, you can get yorself a headset for your cell so when you are UP on the ladder you can answer those important calls with ease.

See ... there ya go ... there is an answer to all those facets in life that are totally unbearable ... and by applying some thought and fortitude you can live your lives in a state of total Nirvana.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:40 AM

Can you not distinguish between the corporations who use these methods and the people who must work for them?

Ah, yes. The Nuremberg Defense. "I was only following orders."

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:41 AM

I had to smile the other day. I got a call from 'Derek' who sounded Indian and was selling something or other. I asked him why I should buy something as a result of an unsolicited call from a company I had never heard of. He replied that I could always check out his company on the Internet ... !!! Yeah, ... right !!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 10:29 AM

It is one of the few jobs I have ever done, which I am seriously ashamed of. I did the job (it took two afternoons)of ringing up people to ask if they wished to respond to a brochure, which was trying to sell them space at a trade fair. I only did it as a favour for a friend of my bosses at the language school. I will certainly never do it again. It was quite plainly wasting the time of people, who had more important things to do. Not surprisingly, I did not sell a single bit of space. It should not be legal to waste people's time with unsolicited phone calls like that. It is sheer rudeness.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Becca72
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 10:33 AM

I work for a law firm and we have been receiving a large amount of sales calls in the last couple of weeks. Not sure the reason for the increase, but it has been significant. I answered the phone yesterday to "Hi! My name is so-and-so and we have an excellent business opportunity for"...at which point he pronounced my boss's name incorrectly. I said "I'm sorry, we don't accept phone solicitations". Of course the next step is that I'm assured that his call is not, in fact, a solicitation call. When I asked him if he was going to ask us to purchase something he said "Well, yes but it's a great business opportunity!". So I simply told him that the lawyers in my firm considered that a solicitation and to please take us off their calling list. He continued to argue with me about it so I told him again to take us off the call list and then I hung up. I have no problem saying "no thanks" and letting them get on with their lives, but it's the ones who want to "keep the person on the phone at all costs" that drive me nuts.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 10:36 AM

Firecat: No one is going to hate you because you once did something, which was wrong. We are all going to get a little lonely if we only talk to folks, who have never done anything wrong!

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Old Guy
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 11:08 AM

It's not the drug dealer thatt ruins people's lives, It's the drug cartel that brings it in.

The poor, downtrodden drug dealer is just trying to put bread on the table and he can't get a job elsewhere.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 11:21 AM

If you give them ANY opening, they're going to use it. "I don't have the money," means they give you options for giving them LESS money, because everybody can afford that (whatever) low amount. Saying you're not interested right now means they can offer the free estimate or trial (which you have to opt out of later or keep paying) or the special promotional package, or whatever. Any reason or excuse will give them something to wedge into the door to get their foot in.

The add goes "JUST say no" for a reason. We were taught that "NO" was when to give up. I've found they can still keep going, but "no" still works. "May I ask why not?" "No" "Would there be a better time for me to call?" "No" "Is there someone else I could talk to?" "No" There is nothing in "No" for them to play off. "No, bye-bye" works even better, especially if followed by a click.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: number 6
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 11:21 AM

"The Nuremberg Defence" .. man, that's rather extreme. Cliche in the most dramatic sense in this thread.

alanabit .... why did you take the job with the telemarketer in the first place? You must have known what you were getting in to.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 11:32 AM

It's the truth. Claiming "I'm just an employee. The company is the evil one." is just avoiding responsibility. Nobody is holding a gun to these people's heads. They know they are interrupting peoples' lives for no good reason.

I just say no. If they choose to ignore that then they are fair game.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Old Guy
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 11:57 AM

I was at the local MCDonalds getting ready to go inside and apply for a job. Suddenly two big, burly telemarketing recruiters jumped out from behind the dumpsters and shanghied me.

Now I am doing forced labor aggravating a thousand people just to find one person stupid enough to be ripped off.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Bagpuss
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 12:05 PM

I must say I think it is awful that they make the people in Indian call centres use western names. It's not like anyone believes it, so what is the point? Especially since we don't care what their name is before we put the phone down on them.

Every time I hear "Hello my name is Bob, in an Indian accent on the phone" I have an urge to ask him what his real name is. Unfortunately the poor guy would probably get sacked if he told me.... its not in the script...

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Old Guy
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 12:07 PM

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/seniorsfam.htm

            Telemarketing Fraud

If you're age 60 or older, you may be a special target for people who sell bogus products and services by phone. Older women living alone are special targets of these scam artists. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and travel offers.

There are warning signs to these scams, including promises of "free" or "low cost" vacations and get rich quick schemes. If you hear these--or similar--"lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone:
-         "You must act 'now' or the offer won't be good."
-         "You've won a 'free' gift, vacation, or prize." But you have to pay for "postage and handling" or other charges.
-         "You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier." You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
-         "You don't need to check out the company with anyone." The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
-         "You don't need any written information about their company or their references."
-         "You can't afford to miss this 'high-profit, no-risk' offer."

Remember, if you hear the lines above, or similar "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone:

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:33 PM

Number six: I should have known and I make no excuses for doing something which was wrong.
I was asked by the woman I worked for at the time, if I would do some telephoning for friend of hers. I did it more out of loyalty to her. Yes, it was certainly wrong. No, I would not have committed fraud, murder, assault or arson just out of misplaced loyalty. I am not proud of it. In mitigation, I will say that it only lasted two afternoons and that the damage done amounted to wasting a little of people's time.
It was stupid and it was wrong. However, I regret to say I have done far worse things in my life. I may not be the only Mudcatter of whom this is true.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: John O'L
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 08:02 PM

Regarding the Nuremberg defense, there are more shades of black & white than you can poke a stick at. There are degrees of right & wrong. Sure, blaming the company is a cop-out to a degree, but if it means the difference between eating and not eating, then making unsolicited phone calls is not as wrong as genocide.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Alice
Date: 16 Sep 06 - 10:08 AM

Joe's answer is the solution. Say "please put this number on your DO NOT CALL list" and most of the telemarketing calls will stop.
All your other answers to them WON'T WORK.
We've had a thread on this in the past and I posted about the do not call list then. I'm surprised so many people don't give
the right response to get calls to stop. Wise up, people. If you are irritated and do something ornery in response to them, that will not stop the calls.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 04:47 AM

Yeah Alice, but sometimes it's FUN to wind 'em up..... Kevin (or Kavinder) hasn't phoned me back since.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 05:58 PM

Too right mate - it's FUN.

It's my time they are wasting - I demand payment for it.
A bit of FUN? That'll do nicely.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Tootler
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 06:57 PM

A bit of thread drift, but relevant.

A friend of mine had a neat way of dealing with junk mail that came with a reply paid envelope.

He simply put all junk in the prepaid envelope, added a note saying "yours I believe" and put it in the post box. He reckoned his volume of junk mail began to fall quite markedly after a while.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: GUEST,Kavinder
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 09:55 PM

You are one very rood lady Liz the Squeeky. What you did is not the very least bit funny at all.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Old Guy
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 11:11 PM

This thread really about but messing with telemarketers.

Of course if you have a good way to stop them, Please share it.

I bought a Telezapper that connects in line to one phone in your house, When you pick up or when the answering machine picks up, it emits the three tones you hear when you call a disconnected number.

The Telemarketing dialing computers hear the three tones and mark your number as disconnected and does not call that number again.

It cut the number of telemarketing calls by 90% but there are new machines and telemarketers coming online every day so it is not foolproof.

I recently called an 800 number and put my numbers on the national do not call list and they have tapered off again to maybe a few a day.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: GUEST,Bee
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 12:00 PM

Old Guy, I can somewhat understand your extreme views on the subject if, after doing all that, you're still getting "a few a day". I don't know anybody that gets more than two or three calls a month - I've asked around. Perhaps Nova Scotia isn't considered a good market.

"Kavindar"/Kevin may as easily have been calling from New Brunswick, Cape Breton or Toronto. We have plenty of immigrants, and some who have lived here for twenty years still use strongly accented English, just as some English people retain their accents. I know an 84 year old war bride who still speaks with a very strong English accent, despite having lived in NS since the forties.

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: harpmolly
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 03:01 AM

When I switched to getting my phone service from my Internet provider, I went from a regular phone line to this "digital voice" thing, which I'm not really that thrilled with. For example, having to dial an area code for every number, even the house next door, is truly annoying (trivial I know). The free long distance is nice, and I haven't yet come close to using up all of my minutes (it works kind of like a cell phone; you have a certain number of minutes to spend each month before you are charged extra per minute.

However, there is one thing that bothers me quite a bit. I never got a lot of telemarketers with my Qwest line, but as soon as I switched, I started getting a TON. And since I have this new service based on "minutes", it got me pretty steamed. If my new provider (Earthlink) did indeed sell my name to a bunch of telemarketers, I can't help feeling that can't quite be kosher. It costs me a minute every time a telemarketer calls, whether I pick up or let the machine get it (caller ID is one nice new feature which I'm using a lot these days *sigh*). So, isn't it a bit shady for them to knowingly put me in a position where I'm forced to spend minutes involuntarily? I mean, granted, I've still never used them all, but that doesn't make it right. Am I crazy? (OK, wrong question. ;))

Anyone else experienced this with "digital voice" phone service?

Molly

Subject: RE: BS: How to whizz off Telemarketers
From: Old Guy
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 11:15 PM

Molly:

Where I am even with POTS, Plain Old Telephone Service, I have to dial the area code for everything and 1 plus area code for even intrastate long distance calls.