# Can Them Durn Telemarketers Deny That They're Telemarketin'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490 "2002-07-24T01:51:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/21 "2002-07-24T21:48:31Z")
I’ve found that “are you asking for money” works pretty well. That failing, I can usually give a convincing reason for “I’m not interested” fairly quickly (I don’t own a car. I don’t own a TV. I already have broadband internet faster and cheaper than what you’re offering. I already have a credit card with a higher limit and lower rates than what you’re offering.) If it’s a charity (or claiming to be one), I tell them that I never commit to money over the phone, and if they send me something in the mail, I’ll look at it. They never do. The key is that smart telemarketers don’t want to waste their time on someone who’s genuinely uninterested. They want to get on to the next call, where they might make a sale. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/22 "2002-07-24T22:32:02Z")
Tamex, here is another suggestion for the phone call for your husband. Telemarketer: “Is Mr. Tamex there?” You: “May I tell him who’s calling?” Telemarketer: “This is Bob.” You: Bob, you will never reach Mr. Tamex during the time frame that you’ve been using. I strongly suggest you either leave a message, or don’t call back because again, you will never reach him here since he works days. Thanks! My husband travels a lot and I use the same spiel for his callers. This has GREATLY reduced his solicitation calls. I think the telemarkers would appreciate your letting them know they won’t reach him without you coming off looking like a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/23 "2002-07-25T00:50:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chronos \* > \*\*I’ve found that “are you asking for money” works pretty well. That failing, I can usually give a convincing reason for “I’m not interested” fairly quickly (I don’t own a car. I don’t own a TV. I already have broadband internet faster and cheaper than what you’re offering. I already have a credit card with a higher limit and lower rates than what you’re offering.) If it’s a charity (or claiming to be one), I tell them that I never commit to money over the phone, and if they send me something in the mail, I’ll look at it. They never do. > > The key is that smart telemarketers don’t want to waste their time on someone who’s genuinely uninterested. They want to get on to the next call, where they might make a sale. \*\* You are way to polite. I always said I am not interested and hang up or just hung up. Nothing about not having a tv or whatever. There is no need to explain why you don’t want to be bothered. Since I got rid of my home phone and now only use my cell phone The only calls I get are my credit card companies wanting to sell me some stupid service and that does not happen very often. In fact lack of telemarketing calls is almost as big a benefit and the savings from not having an extra phone. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/24 "2002-07-25T03:06:55Z")
Well, I think that the calls should stop now. The suspected credit card company got smart and called after dinner. Hubby answered the phone. They gave him their pitch (pay $20 a month so that they will pay your credit card bill in case of disability). Hubby said, “No, I’m not interested”, and hung up. All that effort. I could have told them that he wouldn’t be interested a week ago, if they’d let me :D. ---
**Author:** ![Church\_Key\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Church\_Key\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Church_Key_Kid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/25 "2002-07-25T03:17:25Z")
> [@](#): > > All that effort. I could have told them that he wouldn’t be interested a week ago, if they’d let me In many states you are allowed to speak for the spouse… YMMV ---
**Author:** ![d12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@d12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d12)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/26 "2002-07-25T06:47:32Z")
> [@](#): > > If they don’t keep a do-not-call list, then they can be in deep touble. Did I mention I’m Canadian? 😉 > [@](#): > > Is this a troll, or just social maladjustment? I can’t tell. Just a disgruntled teen tryin to make a buck to support my outrageous spending habbits. I really hate my work, but I’m sorry if I end up dragging others down into my level of depression. ---
**Author:** ![Neanderthalenis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@Neanderthalenis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neanderthalenis)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/27 "2002-07-29T22:51:16Z")
There are companies that publish a “criss-cross” phonebook. This lists phone numbers by street address and allows telemarketers to target specific neighborhoods. (“Hi we’ll be out in you area collecting donations for…”) My misforture was getting seven years of calls for “Mr. Corbin” What developed was that the criss-cross phonebook company had my number listed three times! (for Corbin, myself, and myself and Corbin!) I was getting three calls as I had three listings! After the company finally removed me (signed form etc.) I discovered that old phonebooks don’t get thrown, then get used by another fly-by-night telemarketer. Never did get rid of the Corbin calls ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/28 "2002-07-29T23:07:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by d12 \* > \*\* > Did I mention I’m Canadian? 😉 > \*\* Ah, international terrorism, then, eh? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/29 "2002-07-30T00:26:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by d12 \* > \*\*I AM a telemarketer… > > We can say we’re not, but we’re lying. Don’t bother with that “Do-Not-Call-List” stuff. We get most of our names and numbers right out of the phone book. It’s easier to say “Not interested”. When the people I call are pricks, I don’t scratch their names out. Be polite, we’re just trying to make a buck. \*\* Check out my thread in the pit . . . to quote an old cliche, the hunter has become the hunted. That’s right baby, the case of _Lucwarm v. A **h** _ Telemarketers, Inc.\* was filed today in Hunterdon County Special Civil Court. We’ll see who ends up making a buck, eh? ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490/30 "2002-07-30T06:27:50Z")
Why do people hate telemarketers? I am actually relieved when its a telemarketer, as opposed to a bill collector, a woman, a relative, or a person asking me to cover their shift. When a telemarketer calls, I want to reach through the phone and kiss them square on the cheeks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-them-durn-telemarketers-deny-that-theyre-telemarketin/120490.md?page=1)