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Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for years
and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to them trying
to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their calling list.
Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to leave me alone
without even needing to ask.
*ring*
Me: "Hello"
Telemarketer: "Hi. Can I please speak to Mr. _______?"
Me: "I am sorry, but Mr. _______ has passed away."
looooong pause.....
Telemarketer: "I'm sorry to hear that."
*click*
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On Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:22:49 -0500, Mike Hough wrote:
> Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for
> years and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to
> them trying to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their
> calling list. Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to
> leave me alone without even needing to ask.
>
> *ring*
>
> Me: "Hello"
>
> Telemarketer: "Hi. Can I please speak to Mr. _______?"
>
> Me: "I am sorry, but Mr. _______ has passed away."
>
> looooong pause.....
>
> Telemarketer: "I'm sorry to hear that."
>
> *click*
Nice, I might have to try that with one that keeps calling here....
Jim
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:-D
I love it!
Luckily none of those calls come across my cellphone, which is all that I
use now, or else I'd be all over that one. Though I do still occasionally
answer unknown numbers in the following manner: "WHO THE F*** IS IT?!?", you
know, just for S's&G's. ;-p
ian
"Mike Hough" <nos### [at] nospam com> wrote in message
news:49a5e0ce$1@news.povray.org...
> Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for
> years and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to
> them trying to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their
> calling list. Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to
> leave me alone without even needing to ask.
>
> *ring*
>
> Me: "Hello"
>
> Telemarketer: "Hi. Can I please speak to Mr. _______?"
>
> Me: "I am sorry, but Mr. _______ has passed away."
>
> looooong pause.....
>
> Telemarketer: "I'm sorry to hear that."
>
> *click*
>
>
>
>
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[GDS|Entropy] wrote:
> I love it!
> Luckily none of those calls come across my cellphone, which is all that I
> use now, or else I'd be all over that one. Though I do still occasionally
> answer unknown numbers in the following manner: "WHO THE F*** IS IT?!?",
> you know, just for S's&G's. ;-p
Next time someone calls offering Internet, I'll tell them I'd definitely buy
it if they support IPv6 and give me a static /64 block.
The salesman won't even know what the heck I'm talking about ^_^
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Mike Hough wrote:
> Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for years
> and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to them trying
> to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their calling list.
> Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to leave me alone
> without even needing to ask.
Even better:
Tell the salesperson to hold on for a moment, and regardless of what
they say in response, set the receiver down. Do NOT hang up. Do NOT
wait for the salesperson to agree to hold on. Simply tell them to hold
on and then immediately set the receiver down.
Wait until you hear the buzz from the receiver that indicates the other
end has hung up.
Pros: The telemarketer spends a lot of time dealing with a non-sale,
which reduces his profitability and hastens his exit from the business
world, and you get back to what you were doing more quickly.
Con: Your phone may be tied up for a minute.
Regards,
John
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On 2/26/2009 5:30 AM, Nicolas Alvarez wrote:
> Next time someone calls offering Internet,
"Yes, alright, I'll buy the internet, Sir!"
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay their
telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus it could
cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited minutes on my
cell phone.
That said it is fun to mess with them. Along the same lines you can screw
with them by sounding interested in what they are offering but play stupid
and never commit to anything. Just keep asking REALLY stupid questions about
what they are trying to sell. It seems like you would buy what they are
selling if only you understood it better. They won't want to give up because
they prey upon stupid people. Like if it is life insurance ask if you can
buy it for your dog.
"John VanSickle" <evi### [at] hotmailcom> wrote in message
news:49a6b1d8$1@news.povray.org...
> Mike Hough wrote:
>> Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for
>> years and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to
>> them trying to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their
>> calling list. Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to
>> leave me alone without even needing to ask.
>
> Even better:
>
> Tell the salesperson to hold on for a moment, and regardless of what they
> say in response, set the receiver down. Do NOT hang up. Do NOT wait for
> the salesperson to agree to hold on. Simply tell them to hold on and then
> immediately set the receiver down.
>
> Wait until you hear the buzz from the receiver that indicates the other
> end has hung up.
>
> Pros: The telemarketer spends a lot of time dealing with a non-sale,
> which reduces his profitability and hastens his exit from the business
> world, and you get back to what you were doing more quickly.
>
> Con: Your phone may be tied up for a minute.
>
> Regards,
> John
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Mike Hough wrote:
> because they prey upon stupid people. Like if it is life insurance ask if
> you can buy it for your dog.
"Does life insurance stop me from dying?"
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Mike Hough wrote:
> I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay their
> telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus it could
> cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited minutes on my
> cell phone.
Telemarketers are expressly prohibited from calling cell phones.
> That said it is fun to mess with them.
"Dude, I'm having sex right now! Call back some other time!"
Regards,
John
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One that I have used in the past, and admittedly it is a *little* dangerous
(so works best on the overseas telemarketers), requires the cooperation of
your wife/girlfriend.
Answer the phone all pissed off, then ask them to hold on...at this point
(and this must be done quickly), act as if you are continuing a very heated
argument with your significant other....now break a beer bottle while
screaming: "you stupid *****!!", that is when she screams...add in a variety
of yelled comments about killing, etc...then make a lot of noise (like a
struggle), and then get very, very silent..and say: "oh...oh god...she's
dead...HOLY F*** SHES DEAD!!" Now hang up. ;-)
ian
"John VanSickle" <evi### [at] hotmailcom> wrote in message
news:49a74f5c@news.povray.org...
> Mike Hough wrote:
>> I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay their
>> telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus it could
>> cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited minutes on
>> my cell phone.
>
> Telemarketers are expressly prohibited from calling cell phones.
>
>> That said it is fun to mess with them.
>
> "Dude, I'm having sex right now! Call back some other time!"
>
> Regards,
> John
>
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"[GDS|Entropy]" <gds### [at] hotmailcom> wrote:
> Answer the phone all pissed off, then ask them to hold on...at this point
> (and this must be done quickly), act as if you are continuing a very heated
> argument with your significant other....now break a beer bottle while
> screaming: "you stupid *****!!", that is when she screams...add in a variety
> of yelled comments about killing, etc...then make a lot of noise (like a
> struggle), and then get very, very silent..and say: "oh...oh god...she's
> dead...HOLY F*** SHES DEAD!!" Now hang up. ;-)
It'll definitely spoil the telemarketer's day, either way... might spoil your
own, too, though, in case the bloke can't stand the psychological pressure of
trying to ignore what he just heard.
(*knock,knock* "Police - open the door or we'll open it for you!")
And then again, those poor sods just want to earn their bread & butter, and
chances are it will *not* spoil the telemarketing company *owner's* day, while
possibly giving the poor phone guy headaches for weeks or months. They may
deserve to be made fun of for their job, but I'd consider this one over the
top.
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"clipka" <nomail@nomail> wrote in message
news:web.49a7b7b087ba1209a6e1d3980@news.povray.org...
> It'll definitely spoil the telemarketer's day, either way... might spoil
> your
> own, too, though, in case the bloke can't stand the psychological pressure
> of
> trying to ignore what he just heard.
>
> (*knock,knock* "Police - open the door or we'll open it for you!")
I did it years ago, but in the post 9/11 world it is probably far more
dangerous to do than it once was.
> And then again, those poor sods just want to earn their bread & butter,
> and
> chances are it will *not* spoil the telemarketing company *owner's* day,
> while
> possibly giving the poor phone guy headaches for weeks or months. They may
> deserve to be made fun of for their job, but I'd consider this one over
> the
> top.
I can see your point there and you are right, it is sadistic and mean...but
it was also quite fun at the time. :-D
ian
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clipka wrote:
>
> (*knock,knock* "Police - open the door or we'll open it for you!")
>
"What do you mean, office? Everything is just fine... "
"Someone said there was a murder here .."
"Nope, just enjoying our evening meal."
They won't be happy about the 'false report' filed by the telemarketer. :)
--
~Mike
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On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:49:58 -0500, Mike Hough wrote:
> I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay their
> telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus it could
> cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited minutes on
> my cell phone.
I believe in the US at least it's not legal for telemarketers to call
mobile phones....
> That said it is fun to mess with them. Along the same lines you can
> screw with them by sounding interested in what they are offering but
> play stupid and never commit to anything. Just keep asking REALLY stupid
> questions about what they are trying to sell. It seems like you would
> buy what they are selling if only you understood it better. They won't
> want to give up because they prey upon stupid people. Like if it is life
> insurance ask if you can buy it for your dog.
That's a good one, might have to try that as well if I have a call like
that and the time to waste. :-)
Jim
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Mike Raiford <"m[raiford]!at"@gmail.com> wrote:
> "What do you mean, office? Everything is just fine... "
>
> "Someone said there was a murder here .."
>
> "Nope, just enjoying our evening meal."
>
> They won't be happy about the 'false report' filed by the telemarketer. :)
Neither will they be happy about the feigning of a crime if the telemarketer's
phone call happens to have been recorded "for training purposes"...
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John VanSickle wrote:
> "Dude, I'm having sex right now! Call back some other time!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh4EPcOpSy8
--
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
My fortune cookie said, "You will soon be
unable to read this, even at arm's length."
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clipka wrote:
> Neither will they be happy about the feigning of a crime if the telemarketer's
> phone call happens to have been recorded "for training purposes"...
Hmmm. Good point :)
The best was one of those "Hand over all of your credit card numbers and
we'll tell you how to save" scams. I led the guy on for almost half and
hour spinning a BS web of financial woes and mounds of credit card debt
that would have any high-interest lender salivating.
Lightning struck very near by at just the right time.
"Whooo! if I keep lying like this I might actually get struck next time."
he was pretty unhappy with me wasting a half hour of his time.
--
~Mike
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Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:49:58 -0500, Mike Hough wrote:
>
>> I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay their
>> telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus it could
>> cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited minutes on
>> my cell phone.
>
> I believe in the US at least it's not legal for telemarketers to call
> mobile phones....
>
Might no be legal, but that doesn't prevent them from doing it.
Especially when their name is "Warranty Services" and their phone number
reads 89989988999888 on the caller ID.
--
~Mike
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Darren New <dne### [at] sanrrcom> wrote:
> John VanSickle wrote:
> > "Dude, I'm having sex right now! Call back some other time!"
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh4EPcOpSy8
Check out this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1waHJhb2wxo
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Mike Raiford <"m[raiford]!at"@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I believe in the US at least it's not legal for telemarketers to call
> > mobile phones....
>
> Might no be legal, but that doesn't prevent them from doing it.
> Especially when their name is "Warranty Services" and their phone number
> reads 89989988999888 on the caller ID.
Heh - in Germany virtually all phone contracts (both fixed & mobile) have
incoming calls for free, so mobile phone battery power is the only limiting
factor in having fun with telemarketers... (oh well, and the availability of
telemarketers; I reckon that phone telemarketing is much more common in the US
than over here; I maybe get a telemarketing call once or twice a month, and
mostly on the fixed line while I'm off to work)
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"clipka" <nomail@nomail> wrote in message
news:web.49a824c487ba12098d0daedf0@news.povray.org...
> Darren New <dne### [at] sanrrcom> wrote:
>> John VanSickle wrote:
>> > "Dude, I'm having sex right now! Call back some other time!"
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh4EPcOpSy8
>
> Check out this one:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1waHJhb2wxo
Nice one.
Hope no one is offended by the language, but if you've never seen Bill Hicks
(RIP) talk about marketing it is worth a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVZo1Jjfshw
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On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:16:46 -0600, Mike Raiford wrote:
> Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:49:58 -0500, Mike Hough wrote:
>>
>>> I have done that before but I read somewhere that some places pay
>>> their telemarketers more if they keep people on the line longer. Plus
>>> it could cost me money if it is during the day because I have limited
>>> minutes on my cell phone.
>>
>> I believe in the US at least it's not legal for telemarketers to call
>> mobile phones....
>>
>>
> Might no be legal, but that doesn't prevent them from doing it.
> Especially when their name is "Warranty Services" and their phone number
> reads 89989988999888 on the caller ID.
True enough, I get enough calls at home from people who violate the DNC
list already to know that just because it's illegal doesn't mean people
don't do it.
Caller ID spoofing is also illegal, IIRC, but that doesn't stop them -
they gotta be caught.
Jim
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On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:15:43 -0600, Mike Raiford wrote:
> clipka wrote:
>
>> Neither will they be happy about the feigning of a crime if the
>> telemarketer's phone call happens to have been recorded "for training
>> purposes"...
>
> Hmmm. Good point :)
>
> The best was one of those "Hand over all of your credit card numbers and
> we'll tell you how to save" scams. I led the guy on for almost half and
> hour spinning a BS web of financial woes and mounds of credit card debt
> that would have any high-interest lender salivating.
>
> Lightning struck very near by at just the right time.
>
> "Whooo! if I keep lying like this I might actually get struck next
> time."
>
> he was pretty unhappy with me wasting a half hour of his time.
Love it.... :-)
It's kinda a sport like those who bait the 419-scammers. The 419eater
website is a *scream*.
Jim
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On 2/27/2009 12:16 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> True enough, I get enough calls at home from people who violate the DNC
> list already to know that just because it's illegal doesn't mean people
> don't do it.
Most likely, they aren't actually violating the DNC list. They're only
required to scrub against it every 3 months; they can add a number, call
it for three months, and then check the list.
I actually sympathize with the telemarketers. It's a tough job that
everyone hates, but there are a lot of good people who really aren't
trying to rip you off. The least you could do is be courteous with them.
(Now, the ones who repeatedly call you, constantly interrupt you, and
try to steamroll you into something, I hate - they give the rest of them
a bad name, and deserve all the pranks that get played on them.)
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:30:16 -0800, Chambers wrote:
> Most likely, they aren't actually violating the DNC list. They're only
> required to scrub against it every 3 months; they can add a number, call
> it for three months, and then check the list.
There are many who do not remove from their list (a) after scrubbing, or
(b) at the caller's request. There are quite a few now who actively
ignore requests to call and aren't even up front about what they are
calling about.
Then there are those who attempt to circumvent it by doing a "survey" -
which is exempt from the DNC list. Thing is, they're really trying to
get in for the sale, and the survey method is their way of avoiding the
law.
> I actually sympathize with the telemarketers. It's a tough job that
> everyone hates, but there are a lot of good people who really aren't
> trying to rip you off. The least you could do is be courteous with
> them.
I generally don't answer the phone when the call is from a number I don't
recognize. I wish they'd get a clue after the 3rd or 4th call not being
answered, but they generally don't. Many places use automated dialers
and often they're dialing many numbers at a time and the only person who
gets a live person on the other end (from the calling organisation) is
the first of a dozen or so who answer the phone.
The whole idea of telemarketing is just a waste IMHO. I don't buy things
on the phone, most people I know don't buy things on the phone,
especially from cold calls. I have a need, I research a product, and I
get the one that fits my need. I generally think advertising in and of
itself is largely a waste when it's targeted at me because I don't
respond to it and generally am not influenced by it.
> (Now, the ones who repeatedly call you, constantly interrupt you, and
> try to steamroll you into something, I hate - they give the rest of them
> a bad name, and deserve all the pranks that get played on them.)
I haven't actually run across any who use the technique responsibly - I
think many people are in the same boat I am, which is why the reaction
tends to be as strong as it is.
Jim
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On 28-2-2009 6:08, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:30:16 -0800, Chambers wrote:
>> I actually sympathize with the telemarketers. It's a tough job that
>> everyone hates, but there are a lot of good people who really aren't
>> trying to rip you off. The least you could do is be courteous with
>> them.
>
> I generally don't answer the phone when the call is from a number I don't
> recognize. I wish they'd get a clue after the 3rd or 4th call not being
> answered, but they generally don't. Many places use automated dialers
> and often they're dialing many numbers at a time and the only person who
> gets a live person on the other end (from the calling organisation) is
> the first of a dozen or so who answer the phone.
>
> The whole idea of telemarketing is just a waste IMHO. I don't buy things
> on the phone, most people I know don't buy things on the phone,
> especially from cold calls. I have a need, I research a product, and I
> get the one that fits my need. I generally think advertising in and of
> itself is largely a waste when it's targeted at me because I don't
> respond to it and generally am not influenced by it.
It's real life SPAM. You may not buy anything, nor anyone you know, but
there are always some people that do. Either because they actually need
or want something, or because they were caught off guard. The math is
easy. If a telemarketeer costs 10 per hour, he/she can make 100 calls
per hour and one in a thousand suckers buy, if the product earns more
than 100 you are still making a profit. Simple rule: Never buy from
telemarketers even if it is something you need. If you do you are paying
to disturb another couple of hundred innocent people.
About sympathising with telemarketers, I may be in two minds. On the one
hand there is the real life person for who this unskilled labour is
possibly the only way to earn some money and they don't deserve the
blame for what their boss is doing. OTOH they get paid to annoy people
and they know it. It is an unethical job at best and when the methods
employed are illegal there is not much difference between this and being
paid for being the lookout during a burglary. You may not be the one who
commits the crime, but you are the one that makes it possible.
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On 2/27/2009 9:08 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> There are many who do not remove from their list (a) after scrubbing, or
> (b) at the caller's request. There are quite a few now who actively
> ignore requests to call and aren't even up front about what they are
> calling about.
Such actions are illegal; I have no sympathy for those who actively
break the law.
> The whole idea of telemarketing is just a waste IMHO. I don't buy things
> on the phone, most people I know don't buy things on the phone,
> especially from cold calls. I have a need, I research a product, and I
> get the one that fits my need. I generally think advertising in and of
> itself is largely a waste when it's targeted at me because I don't
> respond to it and generally am not influenced by it.
The thing is, telemarketing will go away when it stops being profitable.
Enough people buy things from telemarketers to continue the practice.
>> (Now, the ones who repeatedly call you, constantly interrupt you, and
>> try to steamroll you into something, I hate - they give the rest of them
>> a bad name, and deserve all the pranks that get played on them.)
>
> I haven't actually run across any who use the technique responsibly - I
> think many people are in the same boat I am, which is why the reaction
> tends to be as strong as it is.
My wife works for a company, called Vector Marketing, that sells
cutlery. They're responsible about their calling, honoring requests to
not be called and such, and are always courteous on the phone (although
<5% of their calls are cold calls).
I also worked for a company that sold windows & siding, where >95% of
the calls were cold calls, and we also were decent about things.
Those are, of course, only two companies, but still it's encouraging to
know that there are some like that.
> Jim
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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On 2/28/2009 1:15 AM, andrel wrote:
> If you do you are paying to disturb another couple of hundred innocent people.
Very few companies call random numbers straight out of the phone book -
it would be extremely inefficient. As with all marketing strategies,
the key is to locate those people most likely to need or want your
product or service; as a result, telemarketers aren't interested in the
phone book, but in specific calling lists (for instance, home owners
with >20% equity in their homes are a great demographic for windows and
siding).
I'm actually a big fan of targeted advertising. I'd much rather view
ads (and receive phone calls!) about products that interest me.
> for who this unskilled labour is
If you think it's unskilled, you've never tried it yourself :)
> OTOH they get paid to annoy people
Those are the ones that give the whole industry a bad name. Believe it
or not, there are professionals out there who do NOT annoy (that's bad
business, you know).
> It is an unethical job at best
Companies do the same thing to other companies all the time.
Unsolicited sales calls are a part of the business world, and quite
necessary. Imagine if you started a new business, and you were
expressly prohibited from telling people about it until they asked you.
You'd go broke within a month, and never make a profit!
Before any sale can be made, a relationship must be established between
the buyer and the seller. This can be done through a variety of methods
(print and media advertising, word of mouth, product placement, etc) and
telemarketing is just one of the tools a successful company may employ.
> and when the methods employed are illegal
The problem is NOT telemarketing (which can be, and is quite often, used
responsibly), but those who employ illegal (or even just annoying)
practices.
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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On 28-2-2009 11:16, Chambers wrote:
> On 2/28/2009 1:15 AM, andrel wrote:
>> If you do you are paying to disturb another couple of hundred innocent
>> people.
>
> Very few companies call random numbers straight out of the phone book -
> it would be extremely inefficient. As with all marketing strategies,
> the key is to locate those people most likely to need or want your
> product or service; as a result, telemarketers aren't interested in the
> phone book, but in specific calling lists (for instance, home owners
> with >20% equity in their homes are a great demographic for windows and
> siding).
That is totally irrelevant. I am not interested in windows, nor is
almost anyone else on that list. For me it is just another unwelcome
phone call. Sometimes it is even worse than simply unwelcome. So is it
for the others on the list. Yet if there is just one in that list that
buys, they are going to use part of the money to annoy me again.
>
> I'm actually a big fan of targeted advertising. I'd much rather view
> ads (and receive phone calls!) about products that interest me.
if that happens once a year, that would be ok. Just as that I might live
with one unsolicited penis enlargment ad by e-mail per year.
>> for who this unskilled labour is
>
> If you think it's unskilled, you've never tried it yourself :)
It is unskilled in the conventional meaning of not requiring more than
primary school. That not everyone can do it and that the best do have
more education is not so relevant. To keep in line with my main
argument: pickpocketing is also unskilled labour.
I will never try myself and would object to anyone in my close family
that would consider. It is an unethical job, at least the ones that
phone 'random' people during dinner and in the weekends 'because that is
when the people are at home'.
>> OTOH they get paid to annoy people
>
> Those are the ones that give the whole industry a bad name. Believe it
> or not, there are professionals out there who do NOT annoy (that's bad
> business, you know).
Funny, I have never had a phone call then from anyone that did not give
the industry a bad name.
>> It is an unethical job at best
>
> Companies do the same thing to other companies all the time. Unsolicited
> sales calls are a part of the business world, and quite necessary.
> Imagine if you started a new business, and you were expressly prohibited
> from telling people about it until they asked you. You'd go broke
> within a month, and never make a profit!
>
> Before any sale can be made, a relationship must be established between
> the buyer and the seller. This can be done through a variety of methods
> (print and media advertising, word of mouth, product placement, etc) and
> telemarketing is just one of the tools a successful company may employ.
>
>> and when the methods employed are illegal
>
> The problem is NOT telemarketing (which can be, and is quite often, used
> responsibly), but those who employ illegal (or even just annoying)
> practices.
For the common people the problem *is* telemarketing, as they never get
called by responsible telemaketers. So how would we know that these
exist also?
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On 28-2-2009 11:07, Chambers wrote:
> My wife works for a company, called Vector Marketing, that sells
> cutlery. They're responsible about their calling, honoring requests to
> not be called and such, and are always courteous on the phone (although
> <5% of their calls are cold calls).
>
> I also worked for a company that sold windows & siding, where >95% of
> the calls were cold calls, and we also were decent about things.
Somehow I already had the feeling that you might have personal
experience. ;)
Can you tell me how you were able to determine that a call did not
disturb *before* making the call? At what times did you call? The
problem as I see it is that it is very hard to know that you are not
calling someone who is in a hurry to get away, already annoyed because
of the other two telemarketers before you, who is not cooking, having a
good conversation with a spouse or friends and is not making love at
that moment. In all these situations someone can choose to not answer,
but you know many will and even so, as soon as the phone rings, you have
an interruption.
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On 2/28/2009 3:10 AM, andrel wrote:
> Somehow I already had the feeling that you might have personal
> experience. ;)
Gee, does it show? :)
> Can you tell me how you were able to determine that a call did not
> disturb *before* making the call?
Obviously you can't, and it's not about being prescient. Really, it's a
two-stage process:
1) Narrowing in on the people who are most likely to respond positively
to you,
2) Handling the actual phone calls well.
The first part has nothing to do with the individual making the call,
but is all about getting them the right phone numbers. It's the second
part that makes the difference.
Really, though, I can't think of a single job where you do NOT need to
know how to close a sale, and telemarketing is a great way to learn that
skill.
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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On 2/28/2009 2:50 AM, andrel wrote:
> That is totally irrelevant. I am not interested in windows, nor is
> almost anyone else on that list.
Statistically, that list is quite accurate. If it weren't, it wouldn't
be used.
> I will never try myself and would object to anyone in my close family
> that would consider. It is an unethical job,
Tell me, what do you think of those people standing on the side of the
road holding signs advertising sales?
> Funny, I have never had a phone call then from anyone that did not give
> the industry a bad name.
I'm willing to admit that my positive experiences could be exceptions,
rather than the norm. Maybe I've just had really good luck.
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:15:31 +0100, andrel wrote:
> On the one hand there is the real life person for who this unskilled
> labour is possibly the only way to earn some money and they don't
> deserve the blame for what their boss is doing.
I have heard (don't know if it's true or not) that at least some
telemarketing is outsourced to prisoners in prison....
Jim
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On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:07:40 -0800, Chambers wrote:
> On 2/27/2009 9:08 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> There are many who do not remove from their list (a) after scrubbing,
>> or (b) at the caller's request. There are quite a few now who actively
>> ignore requests to call and aren't even up front about what they are
>> calling about.
>
> Such actions are illegal; I have no sympathy for those who actively
> break the law.
Which is most of them in my experience. Being on the DNC list and
receiving a dozen calls a week or so from various organisations may mean
that my incidence of legitimate calls is abnormally low (because there
are very few actual legitimate calls that are permitted by law to come
through in the first place).
>> The whole idea of telemarketing is just a waste IMHO. I don't buy
>> things on the phone, most people I know don't buy things on the phone,
>> especially from cold calls. I have a need, I research a product, and I
>> get the one that fits my need. I generally think advertising in and of
>> itself is largely a waste when it's targeted at me because I don't
>> respond to it and generally am not influenced by it.
>
> The thing is, telemarketing will go away when it stops being profitable.
> Enough people buy things from telemarketers to continue the practice.
Exactly.
>>> (Now, the ones who repeatedly call you, constantly interrupt you, and
>>> try to steamroll you into something, I hate - they give the rest of
>>> them a bad name, and deserve all the pranks that get played on them.)
>>
>> I haven't actually run across any who use the technique responsibly - I
>> think many people are in the same boat I am, which is why the reaction
>> tends to be as strong as it is.
>
> My wife works for a company, called Vector Marketing, that sells
> cutlery. They're responsible about their calling, honoring requests to
> not be called and such, and are always courteous on the phone (although
> <5% of their calls are cold calls).
>
> I also worked for a company that sold windows & siding, where >95% of
> the calls were cold calls, and we also were decent about things.
>
> Those are, of course, only two companies, but still it's encouraging to
> know that there are some like that.
A very small minority of organizations IME.
Jim
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On 28-2-2009 12:33, Chambers wrote:
> On 2/28/2009 2:50 AM, andrel wrote:
>> That is totally irrelevant. I am not interested in windows, nor is
>> almost anyone else on that list.
>
> Statistically, that list is quite accurate. If it weren't, it wouldn't
> be used.
It need only be accurate enough to be profitable.
>> I will never try myself and would object to anyone in my close family
>> that would consider. It is an unethical job,
>
> Tell me, what do you think of those people standing on the side of the
> road holding signs advertising sales?
1) We don't have those here. 2) No problem as long as they don't
interfere with me driving. Because it is the interference part that is
annoying everybody.
>
>> Funny, I have never had a phone call then from anyone that did not give
>> the industry a bad name.
>
> I'm willing to admit that my positive experiences could be exceptions,
> rather than the norm. Maybe I've just had really good luck.
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On 28-2-2009 12:30, Chambers wrote:
> On 2/28/2009 3:10 AM, andrel wrote:
>> Somehow I already had the feeling that you might have personal
>> experience. ;)
>
> Gee, does it show? :)
>
>> Can you tell me how you were able to determine that a call did not
>> disturb *before* making the call?
>
> Obviously you can't, and it's not about being prescient.
No it is about not unsolicited interfering in somebody else's life. ;)
Really, it's a
> two-stage process:
> 1) Narrowing in on the people who are most likely to respond positively
> to you,
> 2) Handling the actual phone calls well.
>
> The first part has nothing to do with the individual making the call,
> but is all about getting them the right phone numbers. It's the second
> part that makes the difference.
>
> Really, though, I can't think of a single job where you do NOT need to
> know how to close a sale, and telemarketing is a great way to learn that
> skill.
I think we have here a case of either a very narrow work experience or a
very wide definition of sale. I am doing research I have never done a
sale in my professional life. Unless you count writing a grant proposal
as a sale attempt. The nurses in our hospital aren't selling anything
either, nor is e.g. a police officer or a cab driver (in the Netherlands
you take the front most cab, no matter who is driving). Nobody in a
factory except some managers and the sale department ever have to close
a sale. I think you will find that the large majority of people have
jobs that don't require them to sell anything.
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andrel wrote:
> It's real life SPAM. You may not buy anything, nor anyone you know, but
> there are always some people that do. Either because they actually need
> or want something, or because they were caught off guard. The math is
> easy. If a telemarketeer costs 10 per hour, he/she can make 100 calls
> per hour and one in a thousand suckers buy, if the product earns more
> than 100 you are still making a profit.
But NOBODY who put himself in the DNC list would buy! So why do
telemarketers try to circumvent DNC?
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On 2/28/2009 1:24 PM, andrel wrote:
> On 28-2-2009 12:30, Chambers wrote:
>> Really, though, I can't think of a single job where you do NOT need to
>> know how to close a sale, and telemarketing is a great way to learn
>> that skill.
>
> I think we have here a case of either a very narrow work experience or a
> very wide definition of sale.
It's a loose definition of sale. Anytime you need to convince someone
else of something, you "sell" them the idea.
When writing grant proposals, you need to sell your project. When
applying for a job, you need to sell yourself. When working in IT, you
need to sell the various purchases that you need to make to keep things
running.
The problem most people have with sales, of course, is they think of the
fast talking con-men. What they do isn't really sales, it's chicanery.
The art of selling is NOT the art of fooling, tricking, misdirecting, or
any other unscrupulous method. It's the art of persuading others to
your way of thinking, and useful for just about everyone.
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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Jim Henderson wrote:
>
> I have heard (don't know if it's true or not) that at least some
> telemarketing is outsourced to prisoners in prison....
>
> Jim
Wouldn't surprise me.
--
~Mike
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Nicolas Alvarez wrote:
>
> But NOBODY who put himself in the DNC list would buy! So why do
> telemarketers try to circumvent DNC?
They feel the DNC list is extremely unfair, and given the chance, even
those on the DNC list would buy with the right
misinformation^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H persuasion ...
--
~Mike
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Jim Henderson wrote:
>
> Which is most of them in my experience. Being on the DNC list and
> receiving a dozen calls a week or so from various organisations may mean
> that my incidence of legitimate calls is abnormally low (because there
> are very few actual legitimate calls that are permitted by law to come
> through in the first place).
>
What I have experienced is companies posing as something they're not.
I.e. they've named themselves in such a way that a naïve person may
believe they really are their current credit card company, or they hold
an expiring warranty on their car.
I once asked "What car?" they responded by hanging up on me. Hmmm.
Something's rotten, for sure.
I had an exchange with "Credit card services" that went as follows:
Me: What company are you with?
Them: Credit Card Services.
M: I know you're credit card services, but credit card services for
which company?
T: Credit card services.
M: Sooooo... your company is named Credit card services?
T: Yes
M: That seems a bit misleading, doesn't it?
T: >click<
Again: Hmmmmm... .I smell a rat for sure. Both of these had the balls to
call my cell phone in addition to my home phone. I traced the calls on
my home phone and forwarded the results to law enforcement. The
detective was aware of what they were doing, but they were operating
overseas, and were well out of their jurisdiction.
These are about the only telemarketers we get. Although I do
occasionally get a marketing call from a company I have done business
with before. I usually just ask them not to contact me for sales calls,
then don't hear from them again.
--
~Mike
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On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:18:40 -0600, Mike Raiford wrote:
> Jim Henderson wrote:
>
>
>> Which is most of them in my experience. Being on the DNC list and
>> receiving a dozen calls a week or so from various organisations may
>> mean that my incidence of legitimate calls is abnormally low (because
>> there are very few actual legitimate calls that are permitted by law to
>> come through in the first place).
>>
>>
> What I have experienced is companies posing as something they're not.
> I.e. they've named themselves in such a way that a naïve person may
> believe they really are their current credit card company, or they hold
> an expiring warranty on their car.
Yes, that seems to be a very common practice now.
There are too many people in the world who bite on those offers, even
after being misled. What is wrong with people?
Jim
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Jim Henderson" <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote in message
news:49ac174a$1@news.povray.org..
>On Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:18:40 -0600, Mike Raiford wrote:
> There are too many people in the world who bite on those offers, even
> after being misled. What is wrong with people?
What is wrong with people? Natural selection has simply failed, that is all.
We have killed off the large predators and instilled so many safeguards for
the mentally infirm, that they live long enough to breed and produce more
stupid people who make the same mistakes.
Damned plebes. I say let the weak, the stupid and the lame die by their own
hand. There is no need to protect them, and by the gods our gene pool could
certainly use some chlorine. ;-D
But more to the point, the scamming nature of most overseas telemarketers,
in my opinion, justifies mentally traumatizing pranks. Let the pathetic
wastes of flesh suffer, I'll sleep better at night knowing they writhe in
mental anguish. Though that is a poor substitute for being crucified upside
down, skinned alive burning, fed your own gore and then being drowned in
burning feces, but it'll have to do. :-p
I guess it is obvious that I possess vehement, abyssal black hatred for
thieves and liars.
"Let the killing...BEGIIIIIIN!" -Vital Remains
ian
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On 3/2/2009 8:18 AM, Mike Raiford wrote:
> These are about the only telemarketers we get. Although I do
> occasionally get a marketing call from a company I have done business
> with before. I usually just ask them not to contact me for sales calls,
> then don't hear from them again.
Believe it or not, this is how legitimate companies make sales calls.
--
...Chambers
www.pacificwebguy.com
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John VanSickle <evi### [at] hotmailcom> wrote:
> Mike Hough wrote:
> > Some guy has been giving my cell phone number out to telemarketers for years
> > and telling them that it is a wrong number usually only leads to them trying
> > to sell ME something before I tell them to take me off their calling list.
> > Recently I have found a simple thing to say to get them to leave me alone
> > without even needing to ask.
>
> Even better:
>
> Tell the salesperson to hold on for a moment, and regardless of what
> they say in response, set the receiver down. Do NOT hang up. Do NOT
> wait for the salesperson to agree to hold on. Simply tell them to hold
> on and then immediately set the receiver down.
>
> Wait until you hear the buzz from the receiver that indicates the other
> end has hung up.
>
> Pros: The telemarketer spends a lot of time dealing with a non-sale,
> which reduces his profitability and hastens his exit from the business
> world, and you get back to what you were doing more quickly.
>
> Con: Your phone may be tied up for a minute.
>
I say, "Not interested." If there's one additional pitch-related word from the
person, I do exactly what you've said. Then my wife yells at me for being so
rude.
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LOL, thanks, I needed a laugh. Having some fun this morning at work with
someone else's last minute crisis....
Jim
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:-D
Black humor rocks. :-)
ian
"Jim Henderson" <nos### [at] nospamcom> wrote in message
news:49ad5b33$1@news.povray.org...
> LOL, thanks, I needed a laugh. Having some fun this morning at work with
> someone else's last minute crisis....
>
> Jim
>
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On Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:45:39 -0500, [GDS|Entropy] wrote:
> :-D
>
> Black humor rocks. :-)
Indeed it does. :-)
Jim
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