OT - No-Call list

rdouglass · #1 July 14th, 2003, 10:15 PM

I dunno' about the effectiveness / efficiency of a 'do-not-call' list especially when run by the US Govt. However, I do know a technique I've been using for about a year and a half seems to be quite effective.

When I get a call from an unwanted telemarketer (anyone ever get a wanted TM call?

), I tell them I've been waiting for someone to call me about their product and ask them to hold for a moment while I get a pen. I set the phone down, go do what I was originally doing, and come back in about 20 minutes. If they're still there (only 1 ever has been), I tell them I'm having a hard time finding a pen and would they hold a few more minutes. Rinse and repeat!

My TM calls have been reduced drastically since I started that so the TM'ers must have some kind of list to begin with....

geoschmo · #2 July 14th, 2003, 10:26 PM

Hehe Rd.

I was thinking about doing something like this the other day. Only I was going to take it a step further and make a continuous tape of me rusteling papers and saying "Don't hang up, I'll be right there." every few seconds. Just to keep them hanging on a little longer. Set the phone down, press play on the tape and go to the movies or something. ROFL!

Geoschmo

minipol · #3 July 15th, 2003, 11:56 AM

Geoschmo,

that would be the ultimate telemarketer torture tool (TTT)

PvK · #4 July 15th, 2003, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
Hehe Rd. I was thinking about doing something like this the other day. Only I was going to take it a step further and make a continuous tape of me rusteling papers and saying "Don't hang up, I'll be right there." every few seconds. Just to keep them hanging on a little longer. Set the phone down, press play on the tape and go to the movies or something. ROFL!

Geoschmo

I've done this. Sometimes I also enjoy playing with them in various ways. Depends on the personality on the other line. Many of them aren't so bad themselves but their evil company is paying them and the phone company for the time. Entertain them with the sounds of a game with nice violnet scream-ridden sound effects, or some music. Try to discuss topics of interest with them. Have fun roleplaying a goofy character. Laugh like a maniac who knows there is a time bomb under their chair. Tell them about Space Empires - ask them for tactical advice. Three-way dial them to the Story Line, or Wal-Mart customer service, or 1-800 numbers for annoying products.

PvK

Suicide Junkie · #5 July 16th, 2003, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Three-way dial them to the Story Line, or Wal-Mart customer service, or 1-800 numbers for annoying products

OOOh! What about 3-waying them to a competitor, and then keeping score by tallying up the buzzwords they use against each other

.

mac5732 · #6 July 16th, 2003, 04:31 AM

or, when they call, keep interrupting them and ask them if they would like to buy something your selling instead ie;

Marketer, Mr Mac, We have an special o..
Mac... Hey your just the person I want to talk to, I have this new handy dandy scraper for everything, only $39.99, I can ship it for you at only double the shipping fees...
marketer, uh, well, No You see I have th..
Mac, aw come on, its only $39.95, give me your phone number and address and i"ll ship it right out....

just some ideas Mac

Erax · #7 July 16th, 2003, 05:50 PM

Telemarketing must be cost-effective, or there wouldn't be so many people doing it. I know a telemarketer got me to buy a newspaper subscription once. We have to convince a large number of people not to buy anything from them in order to fight back.

Ah, yes, we have telemarketers down here too. But I never answer the phone at home, my answering machine does that for me. And it has a nice message that says, "Thank you for donating thirty dollars to our charity. When you hear the beep, this amount will be charged to your phone bill. Beep."