BS: Questions to ask Telephone Solicitors

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 07:04 AM

I'll try that next time Donuel, sounds like fun.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 06:47 AM

If the party calling does not say hello first
I am now answering the phone with " Please hold for an important message "

If I have time I answer marketing calls with only yes or no.
Be sure to exagerrate your voice for Nooo or Yeeees.
It really is a lot of fun. Should the caller seem persistant ater a half dozen yes' or no's you can end the session with "yes this is a recording and no we can not answer the phone right now."

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 05:24 AM

Here in the GB I simply tell them I am unemployed and then no sales people want to talk to you any more.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 02:32 AM

Since the "Do Not Call" list confirmed my number is there, I've found that:

"Do you realise that a call in violation of my listing on the do not call registry may result in a fine of ten thousand dollars? May I have your name again please?"

... is quite effective.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 09:52 PM

It's my area code (817) with the universal number for "directory information" in the U.S.--that would be 555-1212. It's a number you frequently see people dial in movies when they don't want viewers to latch onto someone's real phone number and inundated them with calls.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: jaze
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 09:49 PM

Mudguard,it's the national "information" number-first three digits are the area code.

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Peace
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 05:31 PM

One could try, "Psychic Hotline!" There is usually a stunned silence. I then go on to say that their call will cost them $3.99 per minute. Now the bleeders hang up on me! Gotta love it.

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: MudGuard
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 05:16 PM

For us non-US-readers: whose number is 817-555-1212?

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 05:03 PM

I recently had a couple of calls from the local NPR station. I don't think of it by it's call numbers so when the woman with the New York accent called and said she was calling from 90.1 FM it didn't mean anything except an annoying radio station calling me. If she'd identified herself clearly as calling for the local NPR affiliate KERA I'd have gotten it. In the dynamics of repulsing unsolicited phone calls there are a few seconds in which to respond, to really make your point, so if I don't know who they are I just automatically tell them to take me off of their list and I hang up. It dawned on me later who it was.

They called back again last week, and by then I had renewed my membership (by mail) and this caller started telling me how great NPR is. I said "you're reading from a script--what is the point of this call?"

"I was just telling you about the radio station."

"I know about the radio station. Why are you calling?"

She wanted to know if I would renew, at which point I told her her information was old and I already had, so it ended.

Since I'm on both the national and the state "do not call" lists I should probably give a moment more to the caller to see if they really are legitimate. I don't get many calls anymore, but you may well note that everyone in creation out there all of a sudden wants your phone number. If they can show a "business relationship" with you they can legitimately call, or one of their "partners" or "affiliates" can. My brother out in California tells me that places are frantic to get phone numbers every time he calls somewhere or uses a credit card.

If I encounter an online form that will not go through without a phone number, the good ol' 817-555-1212 goes in and that's that.


Hey, Deckman, good to see you back online! I hope you're feeling better.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:52 PM

Our phone is still listed under the name of my my twice-widowed wife's first husband. When we get calls for him, we can be almost sure they're from solicitors. I casually say, "Oh, he's dead" - usually, there's a gasp or stuttering on the other end of the line.

I have to say that we have had very few phone solicitations since the U.S. "Do Not Call" list went into effect.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:48 PM

well, I signed up for the do-not-call list, and I must say, the calls have essentially stopped.

I 'used' to ask them things like "how big IS that card you're reading from?" and "What # can I call you back at?"

Subject: RE: BS: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:42 PM

Or get Caller ID and if ya don't recognise the number, don't answer it...

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Ed.
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:32 PM

I am so sick of telephone solicitors calling my house

Choose not to live in the USA.

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:26 PM

" I hate screening calls for anyone because I feel like I'm intruding on their privacy"

Sorry... but that makes NO sense at all....

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:25 PM

Friends of mine once had their phone listed under an alias (Mr. And Mrs. Ringo Alibi). Anyone who asked for someone of that name (Ah-lee-bee or Alli-bye) was considered fair game for whatever came to mind. :~)

Now that we have the "do not call list," the calls are reduced to surveys and crap from nonprofits. I think I'll start asking them to contribute to MY favorite charity when they call, and ask them if they are on the "do not call" list, themselves, cuz if they are, according to my logic, that means they should "do not call" anyone, especially me! I'm on it and I NEVER make spam calls! Fair is fair!

Perhaps they would like to give me their home phone number, too, just to even things up a bit, or that of their boss?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: okthen
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:13 PM

It may not be of any use in your case but when I get these calls I just say "I don't own my own property" and that usually stops them in their tracks, if a tennant doesn't pay for double glazing/new kitchen etc. how are they going to get their money?

Subject: RE: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Deckman
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:09 PM

I usually ask them some pretty mundane questions, but I speak in Finnish. Anyone who REALLY knows us recognise this "speaking in foreign tongues" and cuts in. If there is a stunned silence after my speaking, I hang up! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: Tech: Questions to ask Telphone Solicitors
From: Bo Vandenberg
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 04:00 PM

I am so sick of telephone solicitors calling my house asking for me or or my wife and saying they are "personal name" when really they represent a commercial company. When its for my lady I actually have to ask, "On behalf of...." to drag it out of them.

Some people refuse to say, some hang up, and the phone company has given them unlisted numbers and say they cannot trace these people.

I think it would be appropriate to have a list of questions telemarketers must answer truthfully before they can ask their own questions, they called me after all.


Name:
Nature of Call: Need something to inspire honesty.
Contact #
Name of Supervisor:


I hate screening calls for anyone because I feel like I'm intruding on their privacy but my wife is all for me making it difficult for these vultures.

Just to get some outside validation for this, what sort of questions would you add to the list, to weed out the crooks and make the phone call non productive?


bo