"Hello"...(silence)......"Hello".....(continued silence)....."Hello, can I help you?"........"Yes mamm, can I speak to....(telemarketer). My response...click.
Is it rude of me to hang up? Should I warn them that I am about to hang up on them? How friendly do I need to be? With their scripted questions and answers, I have no time to discuss what they are selling or wanting me to sign up for. My evening time with my family is my time. I completely understand everyone needs a job, and when they have a job, they need to do what it takes to hold on to it. But who started the business of telemarketing? I find it intrusive and un-necessary. If you know this person, please have a chat with them. Explain that when people spend all day at work, talking on the phone, sitting in meetings and trying to make the world go round, they don't want to come home and continue to listen to the phone ring. It's time for peace and love.
I love the Seinfeld episode where he receives a call from a telemarketer. Seinfeld explains that he is busy. He then asked the telemarketer to give him his home number so he can call him back later when he is at home with his family. Do you think the caller really did it? NO!! But it proves a great point. Why would you do this to someone, when you wouldn't want them to do it to you.
I have found an IPhone app that allows you to set up various voicemail messages for different callers. For unknown numbers and 1-800 numbers, I have a message that states the number they are calling is no longer in service. This has helped reduce some of the calls. But where are they getting my number? Supposedly, you can call and sign your number up on a no call list. I have done this numerous times, but still get calls. We do not have a home phone, only cell phones. And my cell phone is also my work phone. So of course, my cell number has to be used for everything. I guess it's true that our numbers really are being sold for advertising purposes. Why am I not getting a cut of the money? Afterall, it is my phone number. Oh well, I guess it's the price we pay to keep businesses in business. And with today's economy, everyone is looking out for only themselves.
Suppose this is something I will have to deal with. As long as it's not a bill collector, then I will let the phone ring....but I still choose to not answer it.
We also only have cell phones and mine is our "home" phone. We signed up online at donotcallregistry.com and have very few calls now. Before you hang up on them you need to say, "I am not interested. Please remove my number from your call list database." They have to remove you if you request it. That helps too!
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