Ok, I’m looking for advice and opinion as well as factual info on this.
After getting yet another telemarketing call this morning, I’m considering starting ringback service with a recording of the classic “we’re sorry the number you have dialed has been disconnected…”
What I would like to know is 1) do robodialers delete a phone number if they hear that message, 2) do robodialers even recognize that message as anything other than a ringing or possibly answered phone? 3) opinions as to possible drawbacks to this idea. What are the untindended consequenses I may be setting myself up for? This third one is what I’m worried about the most in this idea. If nothing else I can just keep adding these numbers to my list of “no ringers”, but I’d like to give at least a little back to these hardworking paragons of crime and avarice if I can.
The recording is unnecessary. They just listen for a certain tone. Many devices exist that will produce it.
I was a telemarketer for a few years in college. The recording will not help much they will just put your number into a “try later” batch. When you number is put into that batch it may save you a month or two. I would say the best option is to be put on DNCL politely or you might get put in a “no answer” batch and that my friend means many calls.
It’s called a SIT tone. You can hear it here.
If you were to just put this at the beginning of your answering machine message you would get some auto-dialers to disconnect. Some of them will remove you from their lists. Some auto-dialers only need the first tone to come to the conclusion that your number is invalid.
Thanks Yall, and that three tone beep was exactly the thing I wanted, to go with the dreaded “we’re sorry…” nasally woman I remember from childhood. However, I don’t have a landline or answering machine(whole other pit-worthy rant).
Unfortunately my cell phone provider I just discovered to my chagrin, does not yet offer custom (user made) ringback tones for any other than business at this time. Not getting into that kind of shenanigannery with my contract at this point since I’m counting down the months until I can get out of it and switch to another more upfront set of extortionists
I see one drawback with the automatic voice. If someone you WANT to talk to calls you, they might think that you changed your phone number.
By the way, I didn’t know that you could change your ringback tone like that? Don’t you need to set it up with your network? Or can you just set it in a Menu of you phone and that’s it? I would love that. 
Eros Ramazotti for anyone who calls me.
shenanigannery…chuckle, chuckle…I LOVE it!! 
OK, update on this one:
I found out that you can not only use pre-selected music for your ringbacks.
Anyone who calls me now gets a jingle that advertizes my skills as a graphic designer 
Unless it is my Mum - when her phone number is calling, she still gets the Ramazotti experience. 