General Discussion

Rainforestgoddess

(436 posts)

119. I am always polite initially.

Thu Jan 16, 2014, 04:24 PM

Jan 2014

I generally say something to the effect of 'If this is a sales call, I'm not interested'. They usually deny it's a sales call. So I will tell them that if and when I find out it is in fact, a sales call, I will hang up without warning. I usually end up hanging up.

Once (before the do not call list was a thing) my daughter was an infant and at the time of the call I received, crying her head off in my arms. I tried very hard to get a word in edgewise simply to tell him that it was a bad time. He didn't even pause in his spiel, so I put the phone up to her mouth for a good 30 seconds. When I put it back to my ear, he was still talking, so I hung up (I couldn't hear a word over the crying anyway).

You guessed it, he called right back because 'he got cut off'.

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Please!! do not be rude to a telemarketer for your best interest . Just say thanks but you are not [View all] ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 OP

I would never retaliate by ensuring the rude person got more calls. redqueen Jan 2014 #1

Unfortunately I often forget the second part of that. MH1 Jan 2014 #228

Unfortunately, that is never enough. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #240

If only the person on the other end of the phone would take a NOT INTERESTED liberal N proud Jan 2014 #2

You are in control of your phone..hang up if they don't take no for an answer angstlessk Jan 2014 #6

I had one person actually call me back after I hung up. polly7 Jan 2014 #10

Automatic computer dialer does the dialing not them. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #18

Well, the same man called me back, and polly7 Jan 2014 #22

Three of us, so far ... I'm sure there are more. polly7 Jan 2014 #81

That doesn't matter. They still have to push the button for "do not call" pnwmom Jan 2014 #97

Theoretically. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #241

Not all calls are the result of automatic dialers. Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #191

That's happened to me too! City Lights Jan 2014 #44

It's a bit shocking, isn't it? polly7 Jan 2014 #47

Indeed! My heart was racing when I finally got off the phone. City Lights Jan 2014 #52

When that is your job... TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #186

We've all worked at jobs we disliked at one time or another. polly7 Jan 2014 #187

I'm sorry, I missed the part where I voiced approval of telemarketers abusing people. TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #188

My apologies, I'm obviously missing your point then. nt. polly7 Jan 2014 #189

I've had this experience, as well. antiquie Jan 2014 #100

It's a weird feeling. polly7 Jan 2014 #105

I had a guy calling me about an insurance plan and I wasn't interested Boomerproud Jan 2014 #114

And you, as a telemarketer, are required to follow Federal law. pnwmom Jan 2014 #78

I do not think the telemarketers need to memorize angstlessk Jan 2014 #85

When someone tells you they are on the list, and you do NOT push the button pnwmom Jan 2014 #88

Fine...I am sure most do...and some don't...what about those bankers.... angstlessk Jan 2014 #101

They have a script that they have to follow. redqueen Jan 2014 #12

I want to thank you because you are correct. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #20

I've done it before so I'm very familiar with how it goes. nt redqueen Jan 2014 #23

I could use this script liberal N proud Jan 2014 #31

Most telemarketers are required to keep pressing after the first "no". blogslut Jan 2014 #30

Three. LiberalAndProud Jan 2014 #43

You need to hang up AAO Jan 2014 #158

When that happens (always) Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #239

I agree...they too are just trying to make a living..and they don't make much angstlessk Jan 2014 #3

But they're breaking the law when they call people who are on the Federal list. pnwmom Jan 2014 #62

Big wah. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #116

Maybe those heartless debt collectors fill your definition..but telemarketers angstlessk Jan 2014 #170

No - but my number is registered on the Federal Do Not Call list for a reason. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #242

Way too many people are looking around the corner for something to get angry about. nt NCTraveler Jan 2014 #4

I am on the do not call list Egnever Jan 2014 #5

It's the owner of the company...not the individual who is calling angstlessk Jan 2014 #7

I've tried that. They say fine and then call me back the next day. nt pnwmom Jan 2014 #53

Yup. Over and over and over again. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #243

You don't need caller I d marybourg Jan 2014 #279

Your experience is very different than mine. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #286

They don't tell you the name marybourg Jan 2014 #289

Nope. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #290

Huh! Those calls must get marybourg Jan 2014 #292

And the minimum wage caller is the one fucking you over joeglow3 Jan 2014 #8

No sale Egnever Jan 2014 #14

I worked that job and call your excuse pathetic joeglow3 Jan 2014 #21

+++++ Whisp Jan 2014 #38

Fuck the people who take jobs as telemarketers MattBaggins Jan 2014 #98

This right here. Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #113

And fuck their kids who go to bed hungry every night joeglow3 Jan 2014 #200

I'm far from the right, sir... Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #227

Yeah. They should pull themselves up by their boot straps joeglow3 Jan 2014 #237

Words I have never Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #274

Oh, is poor Dr. Hobbitstein being attacked joeglow3 Jan 2014 #278

I told your mom to fuck off last night. NT Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #280

Wow joeglow3 Jan 2014 #287

I thought you smelled familiar... Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #288

I thought it was funny. pintobean Jan 2014 #291

Spoken like someone from the right joeglow3 Jan 2014 #201

Nonsense. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #245

Exactly... Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #275

Then I'm proud to be "a dick." Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #125

And republicans are dicks to people who disrupt their life one ounce joeglow3 Jan 2014 #204

It is not just 15-20 seconds a day. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #246

Fine. So you are saying your first response is NOT to tell the person to "fuck off?" joeglow3 Jan 2014 #252

My first response, at their first breath, Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #254

I just hang up. joeglow3 Jan 2014 #268

That's why I ask for the supervisor Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #269

More Bullshit from you Egnever Jan 2014 #138

I have no problem doing whatever legal job I can to feed my family joeglow3 Jan 2014 #205

and the garbage continues Egnever Jan 2014 #211

You are comparing the need to hang up on someone to spilling chemicals? joeglow3 Jan 2014 #218

I would call drama Egnever Jan 2014 #219

The question is what NEED is being fulfilled by being an asshole joeglow3 Jan 2014 #222

If you are told repeatedly by people you reach Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #244

Do you ask for rhe name of the business? redqueen Jan 2014 #15

If they're contractors, sometimes they won't give it out. lapislzi Jan 2014 #34

I tell them I am interested, but safeinOhio Jan 2014 #37

It might not be. redqueen Jan 2014 #46

And - Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #248

Most won't provide it. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #247

yeah, think about it - most telemarketers are at the bottom of the pay scale only trying to scrape Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #9

Thank you. I did it before I had as an alternative to fast food service. redqueen Jan 2014 #19

I can't imagine threads praising rudeness to fast food servers - but we see them and probably Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #33

When McDonald's knocks on you door Dr Hobbitstein Jan 2014 #109

We're not mean to fast food workers because they do an HONORABLE job. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #121

At least fast food service is honest work. Bette Noir Jan 2014 #91

I will give your opinion all due consideration. nt redqueen Jan 2014 #96

Being rude to someone on the phone doing an honest job is equivalent bullwinkle428 Jan 2014 #51

Incorrect premise in your argument MurrayDelph Jan 2014 #145

Wrong on so many levels. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #147

Wrong frazzled Jan 2014 #11

So you really think a company already violating the law by calling me Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #249

Nothing you can say, including "Not interested" will help with those frazzled Jan 2014 #255

On the home phone - Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #265

If you make your living bothering other people on purpose to pressure them into giving away money Johonny Jan 2014 #13

So they should be unemployed liskddksil Jan 2014 #24

They harm people. Robbery and bullying are not a profession anymore than bank robber Johonny Jan 2014 #27

I am with you. I do not understand why some other person's need to make a living CBGLuthier Jan 2014 #57

how many hours in an average day do you spend fielding unsolicited calls? frylock Jan 2014 #135

One minute is too much. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #149

well good luck with those windmills frylock Jan 2014 #175

Is that Mitt Romney? joeglow3 Jan 2014 #206

I never hear much compassion on this board for rank and file employees at health insurance cos. bluestateguy Jan 2014 #271

Do you apply that to all salespeople? abelenkpe Jan 2014 #26

Just the ones on the phones MurrayDelph Jan 2014 #137

No Air Horns, No Whistles, No Toilets Flushing my favorite and I don't want to know ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #16

one of my best friends is a telemarketer (jobs are scarce here). I asked her what was her preference Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2014 #17

I had a telemarketer hang up on me FreeJoe Jan 2014 #25

better yet... MANative Jan 2014 #28

Utterly unrealistic if I'm looking for a real job dickthegrouch Jan 2014 #90

start telling them about jesus over and over. nt msongs Jan 2014 #29

of course, unless you have some teabagger/publican DNA Whisp Jan 2014 #32

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2014 #35

you R Right Douglas Carpenter Jan 2014 #48

+1000 baldguy Jan 2014 #127

They're tormenting you. Playing right back is fair game. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #151

what utter revolting sickening bullshit. Whisp Jan 2014 #154

Wow. x( Starry Messenger Jan 2014 #192

It is none of those things, however treestar Jan 2014 #210

It IS illegal to call me. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #250

True. treestar Jan 2014 #208

this may be true of reputable telemarketers ProdigalJunkMail Jan 2014 #36

The odds are the person calling you is some poor schlub reduced to taking that hedgehog Jan 2014 #39

that would be the compassionate liberal consideration reddread Jan 2014 #104

I'm nice to everyone, even debt collectors. hunter Jan 2014 #40

I was a collector at one point tabbycat31 Jan 2014 #173

Well - I've had experiences with how well that industry follows the law, as well. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #253

I ask them if they are in prison Go Vols Jan 2014 #41

I don't answer my phone. Blue_In_AK Jan 2014 #42

"Not Interested" doesn't stop them from calling back. City Lights Jan 2014 #45

One time I talked to a real nice elderly lady. She said "Oh honey I'm not interested about having ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #49

But it's not our fault if you're unfairly penalized. You're breaking the law when you call back pnwmom Jan 2014 #58

When you're breaking the law by repeatedly calling someone on the Federal do-not-call list, pnwmom Jan 2014 #50

I wasn't breaking the law her name just came up on the screen UH excuse me!! There is no ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #60

"There is no so called list." You couldn't be more wrong. When a name comes up on the screen, pnwmom Jan 2014 #71

They aren't breaking the law. jeff47 Jan 2014 #86

You're wrong about that. International calls from U.S. companies ARE covered by the law. pnwmom Jan 2014 #93

And as soon as we have the ability to arrest people in foreign countries jeff47 Jan 2014 #162

We have the ability to fine the US companies that pay people to do this. n/t pnwmom Jan 2014 #165

And it's trivial for the US company to hire a foreign company jeff47 Jan 2014 #166

We can still fine the US company involved. But you're right. pnwmom Jan 2014 #168

Do Not Call List HockeyMom Jan 2014 #54

Even with DNC list, I still get telemarketers. I have caller id. If I don't recognize the number Fla Dem Jan 2014 #61

It is federal. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #256

Telemarketers are people too Ganja Ninja Jan 2014 #55

I would never be rude to a legitimate telemarketer. Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #56

Sorry dude, that may be how it works in whatever company you get a check from, but Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #59

If only there was some way for people to hang their phone up! FSogol Jan 2014 #65

If only that worked. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #70

It does work. Hanging up the phone ends the conversation. Try it! FSogol Jan 2014 #74

So how much do you make stealing from the gullible and protecting corporations from their customers? Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #79

I'm a mechanical engineer. No phone sales from me or my company. FSogol Jan 2014 #84

Caller ID is expensive for people on a fixed income. MADem Jan 2014 #283

It ends the convo, not the harassment. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #130

From what I've seen the "do not call registry" works pretty well. FSogol Jan 2014 #148

I've been on it since day 1. Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #258

This was 5 years ago I'm back in the Mill..Alright!! Is that a more respectable job? ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #66

So you got nothin'... Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #76

Telemarketing is rude; I'm afraid I think it's entirely acceptable to be rude in return. Donald Ian Rankin Jan 2014 #63

But you forgive an animal abuser or thief. Cast yee the first stone of someone who has never sinned. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #67

Did they actually say they'd forgive an animal abuser? redqueen Jan 2014 #233

Agreed. Bobbie Jo Jan 2014 #212

I will do that the *first* time. gcomeau Jan 2014 #64

Hang Up!! ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #68

Because hanging up in someone's face isn't rude either... right? -eom gcomeau Jan 2014 #82

I want more ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #69

I wish I could pin this to the top for a week. Kurovski Jan 2014 #72

We can curse at and hang up on robo dialers though, right? Initech Jan 2014 #73

It's extremely arrogant for marketers pintobean Jan 2014 #75

They clog up my answering machine so much, I almost never listen to it. JoePhilly Jan 2014 #77

i love playing w/ push pollers. and usually talk w/ the poor poller who is trying to read the pansypoo53219 Jan 2014 #80

Get in a different line of work. Bette Noir Jan 2014 #83

Three unemployed per job opening. jeff47 Jan 2014 #89

Selling drugs or turning tricks are more ethical lines of work than telemarketing. Bette Noir Jan 2014 #107

Some people feel that eating is a necessary activity. Especially for their children. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2014 #161

They are far more ethical. People WANT their services. CBGLuthier Jan 2014 #180

I did I am a Steelworker again..!Am I redeemed now please let me know. I will be anxiously waiting ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #92

I've never been rude. I hang up, which is a bit rude. Cleita Jan 2014 #87

I ask to speak to their supervisor fredamae Jan 2014 #94

Telemarketers are harassing my elderly parents ThoughtCriminal Jan 2014 #95

A whistle works just as well. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #132

Usually doesn't work. They have volume suppressors. progressoid Jan 2014 #198

I would prefer them to believe that the number's no good... Orsino Jan 2014 #99

Next!! Who else wants to critisize me for taking a 4 month job as a ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #102

You got to do what you got to do Johonny Jan 2014 #117

It was years ago. It beat delivering heavy furniture for Value City at 40 years old. Plus I wasnt ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #157

No problem treestar Jan 2014 #209

I use software that if your not in my directory, you can't get through... santamargarita Jan 2014 #103

Thanks I appreciate you supporting me and backing me up. Geeze I only did it for 4 months. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #106

Hang on there... santamargarita Jan 2014 #110

Thanks ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #133

My phone is for my convienience, not anyone elses. If you bother me uninvited, kelly1mm Jan 2014 #108

Just don't answer calls from numbers you do not know. taotzu Jan 2014 #111

Bwahahaha! I will ALWAYS be awful to telemarketers and spammers. Daemonaquila Jan 2014 #112

I have no pity for you either since your so open minded go back to Free Republic. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #139

Get caller id, use voice mail drmeow Jan 2014 #115

Telemarketer for several years tazkcmo Jan 2014 #118

I am always polite initially. Rainforestgoddess Jan 2014 #119

Too much hatred for working people here. baldguy Jan 2014 #120

Rank and file employees who work at health insurance companies bluestateguy Jan 2014 #272

So, I take it that saying, "If you ever call me again, I will hunt you down and find you, and make Zorra Jan 2014 #122

I'm on the federal Do Not Call List and I rarely get calls steve2470 Jan 2014 #123

I'm on the Do Not Call list and I get calls ALLLLLL the time dorkzilla Jan 2014 #129

wow I feel bad for you ! steve2470 Jan 2014 #131

This is on my landline, don't think I've ever gotten one on my cell dorkzilla Jan 2014 #150

I've gotten a bunch on my cell phone - Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #262

They may not have reached the court stage - Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #261

That's encouraging! dorkzilla Jan 2014 #266

I was really pleased when I read the first article Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #267

If I see an obvious telemarketer or scam call on the ID SeattleVet Jan 2014 #124

I am polite enough during the first few calls MynameisBlarney Jan 2014 #126

I used to worry about all the calls my mom started to get after a move to different state... FailureToCommunicate Jan 2014 #128

I'm never rude to telemarketers. The first time. Shadowflash Jan 2014 #134

No. And don't tell me what to do. oldhippie Jan 2014 #136

please put me on the "do not call list." thank you.. frylock Jan 2014 #140

But I'm *already* on the Do Not Call list... SeattleVet Jan 2014 #142

that's when you ask to speak with a supervisor.. frylock Jan 2014 #146

I do - Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #263

personally i think barbtries Jan 2014 #141

Having once worked as a tele-marketer/Surveyer ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2014 #143

That's very kind of you, truly nt steve2470 Jan 2014 #144

That's what I've always done get the red out Jan 2014 #152

"Just get caller ID" is not a solution. noamnety Jan 2014 #153

Nomorobo is a godsend sharp_stick Jan 2014 #155

If they are not on the line when I answer they will be hung up on. Kingofalldems Jan 2014 #156

If YOU don't want to be rude, you might preface your post with a "please" hamsterjill Jan 2014 #159

I'm not telling you please I just said don't be rude. ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #163

Giving orders to people you don't even know is rude. pnwmom Jan 2014 #169

I have a friend who is a telemarketer MurrayDelph Jan 2014 #160

I typically do that, except for Dish Network Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2014 #164

Post removed Post removed Jan 2014 #171

Holy shit pintobean Jan 2014 #181

Yeah dude... pipi_k Jan 2014 #194

Did you see his post in the related thread? pintobean Jan 2014 #273

I always say thank you and no thank you, and hang up. RebelOne Jan 2014 #167

I did that once. A telemarketer would not take a polite no for an answer...kept 1monster Jan 2014 #172

Where I worked I had no option of calling them back I had no phone just a headset. Dialer was ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #174

Normally, I opt to be friendly and matter-of-fact... countryjake Jan 2014 #176

Not Intersted and hang up ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #178

I was an outbound Telephone Sales Rep for two years Omaha Steve Jan 2014 #177

I just tell them I am on the Do Not Call and say goodbye. If I answer the phone. madinmaryland Jan 2014 #179

I always tell myself tosh Jan 2014 #182

That is good ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #185

My number is on the do not call list - I will not be nice. I will also not be rude. KentuckyWoman Jan 2014 #183

After 5 minutes they already forgot about you. The automatic dialer has already dialed about 4 other ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #184

I'm not going to be polite just to avoid their assholish behavior. Gormy Cuss Jan 2014 #190

My phone, paid for by me. 99Forever Jan 2014 #193

They are people desperate for a job. Really, who wants to be a telemarketer? freshwest Jan 2014 #195

I don't even say I'm not interested. I hang up instantly. sibelian Jan 2014 #196

Nope. NutmegYankee Jan 2014 #197

I agree. I think it's pointless to advocate being rude to them. kcr Jan 2014 #199

Telemarketing is a rude and *unwarranted invasion of privacy for profit* and should be illegal. nt Zorra Jan 2014 #202

+infinity ~ nt antiquie Jan 2014 #203

When I was in college, I took a job soliciting alumni for donations. Tommy_Carcetti Jan 2014 #207

I'm not convinced about that tradeoff. noamnety Jan 2014 #215

Whatever. Tommy_Carcetti Jan 2014 #216

Message auto-removed Name removed Jan 2014 #213

I say, "You have a tough job, I appreciate your efforts duhneece Jan 2014 #214

Card services, viagra scams, microsoft claimed bot scams and many more illegal scams seveneyes Jan 2014 #217

I only get calls from scammers. "Hello. This is _______ from 'Card Services'. WillowTree Jan 2014 #220

I'm always tempted pipi_k Jan 2014 #231

They've called me dozens of times. WillowTree Jan 2014 #236

Yep, that's the pipi_k Jan 2014 #238

Being rude to a telemarketer ronnie624 Jan 2014 #221

This is me politely putting you on ignore Ino Jan 2014 #223

Before you go pintobean Jan 2014 #224

I don't need to read any more Ino Jan 2014 #225

Actually pipi_k Jan 2014 #229

Agreed. n/t Ms. Toad Jan 2014 #264

I worked one of those telemarketing jobs for three months and I was really good. bravenak Jan 2014 #226

I usually just hang up. Shoulders of Giants Jan 2014 #230

Someone once told me the best response DFW Jan 2014 #232

Just wanted to thank you for this thread. redqueen Jan 2014 #234

I wish we could put telemarketers on ignore. pintobean Jan 2014 #235

I will say I am not interested bluestateguy Jan 2014 #251

I think telemarketing should be outlawed. Just my personal opinion and of course will not happen. Lint Head Jan 2014 #257

Unsolicited calls when I'm on the Do-not-call-list get whatever I feel like dishing out. hobbit709 Jan 2014 #259

Telemarketers call me and interrupt my time with my family. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #260

Some new rules as of 10/2013 for robocalls Blue Diadem Jan 2014 #270

No offense, but that is the dumbest, worst advice I've ever seen on DU. MADem Jan 2014 #276

This works for you and me, but OldEurope Jan 2014 #277

Lots get snagged in enforcement Historic NY Jan 2014 #281

better yet, get rid of your land line and never speak to one again arely staircase Jan 2014 #282

The responses to telemarketers on the following site are priceless, kentauros Jan 2014 #284

I just don't answer the phone unless someone leaves a message of importance to me. ... spin Jan 2014 #285