Please explain to me why it isn’t the person’s fault that they accepted employment in the field of being a total fuck? I don’t see your logic. It most certainly IS their fault. I could, under no circumstances, become employed in ANY company through no fault of my own.
Unless, of course, you’re alleging that these people have been enslaved against their will, in which case, I’d like to see some evidence.
But in the interest of fighting ignorance and all that…
In order to fund my attempt to educate myself into a real career, I’ve been working as a computer network babysitter for a company that does phone surveys. That bears repeating: phone surveys. We don’t sell anything, we don’t ask for money, we don’t want a single penny out of your pocket. We just want to ask you some questions.
I have no love for deceitful or pushy telemarketers. The policy we follow, which I think is the right one, is to be up front about who we are and what we’re doing and respect peoples’ feelings about it. In fact, jackass telemarketers have made our business much harder.
I’d just like to ask everyone to remember that not everyone calling you is a total sleazebag out for your life savings. Some of them are doing pretty respectable things and will even behave like human beings. In fact, we have a fairly large quality assurance department who work full time making sure that none of our interviewers harrasses any of our respondants. Anyone caught acting like a jackass is fired right quick.
That said, I would like to shudder agree with one or two of the points raised by the OP. Don’t bother trying out the newest “annoy the telemarketer” ploy you just got in your email. It doesn’t matter what it is, it’s been done. To death. My suggestion would be to decline politely. If it’s a reputable company, they’ll accept that. Especially if they claim to be doing a survey. There’s an industry organization that sets standards for survey companies. Anyone who continues after the first “no” is not following standard procedure and deserves anything you can throw at them.
“three to four hours” should be “times”
Preview is my friend. ::tattooing that on forehead::
Robin
Well, let’s see. When I did it, it was 1990. We were in a recession. I was in a city of 3 million people with no family or friends and only a high school education. I had no job skills or employment history. I needed a job ASAP or I wasn’t going to eat (I was panhandling for food money in the meantime) I tried food service. I tried retail. THERE WERE NO JOBS. I had two places willing to hire me. One was a telemarketing job selling carpet cleaning services. The other was phone sex, but I needed my own phone line at my house, which I couldn’t afford. I didn’t even have electricity at the time. (I did have a car, which my mom had pretty much tricked me into buying 6 months before, and which she had cosigned for so I couldn’t sell it without ruining her credit. sigh)
I took the telemarketing job.
I stayed 3 weeks until I got a job delivering pizza.
For some people, there aren’t a lot of options. Just trust me on this. I know you think that I deserve to die because I did this, but I’m not going to oblige you; I have a son to look after.
Zette:
So say that. I don’t know about other organizations, but when I hear “oh, I’m unemployed” or “oh, I’m on a fixed income” or “oh, I’ve been having terrible medical bills”, I mention the cheapest option. If you say no, that’s the end.
So ask to be taken off the list. Don’t say “gosh, I’m not really interested right now”.
They don’t around here. People say “aha, but I just saw on the news that our local fire department doesn’t ask for money over the phone! you are a fraud, sir!”
So I explain how we’re set up, and they reply “oh, you’re only contracted to call for them? goodbye!” That’s like a judge telling a lawyer “what, you mean the defendant is paying you to argue his case? get out of my courtroom!”
If they call her by name, she has a reason to ask how they got her number.
But we rarely do that. We call every house in the state, listed or not. Sometimes we know the name (and often address) because we got the number from the phone book, or because it’s a previous customer. Sometimes we know the name because someone in our office called before, got the answering machine, heard “hi, you’ve reached bob and nancy but we’re not home”, and typed in “BOB/NANCY” for the name.
In any case, the question to ask is not “how did you get my number?” but “how did you get my name?”
So say that and we’ll go away.
Good. You’re a model telemarketee. 
If they don’t want to contribute, they should say that.
I’ve always heard that kids should say “they’re not available” instead of “they’re not home”, because you never know when a predator will call and break into the house when the parents are away.
“They’re busy” is a much better choice of words, especially coming from a five-year-old’s mouth.
Because it’s not clear that they don’t understand until we get to the end and they don’t know what they’ve been saying yes to.
My job is only frustrating when I’m doing poorly - which means I’m giving the pitch and it’s not convincing people. So if you want to frustrate a telemarketer, follow my advice.
I used to think so. But the better salesmen don’t make more calls than the worse ones, and they don’t call people who are any richer or more impulsive. They just do a better job with the customers they get. There are people in my office who haven’t heard “no” in days.
Rocket88:
If given a choice between a) reading the message and having it go away or b) ignoring it and having it stay there forever, I know which one I would choose. But obviously this doesn’t happen with email.
Another difference is that email spam costs the recipient - my ISP pays to store thousands of copies of the message, and I pay if my mailbox fills up with spam and overruns my limit. But if a telemarketer calls me, I make the choice whether I want my phone to ring in the first place (and at one of three adjustable volumes!), I make the choice whether I want to answer the call, and it doesn’t cost me a penny to pick up the phone.
Incoming faxes also cost the receiver, which is why fax advertising is illegal (at least in most places).
ChiefWahoo:
Because we call back again when you do that. Calling you again takes none of our time and some of yours.
Why do we call back? Because it works often enough that it’s worth doing.
Flymaster:
Illegal means of acquiring numbers? By programming a computer to start at 0000 and work up to 9999, are we violating some patent on counting?
And prank telemarketing calls? “Hey Wayne, check it out! I told this lady we were gonna send her a receipt, a letter of thanks, and an envelope… then I asked if she could send back a check within seven days. And she said yes! SCORE!”
Perhaps my point has been lost…
I’m not saying people should be nice to telemarketers. I’m saying the best way to deal with them is to turn down the presentation or ask to be taken off the list.
For example: the fact is that if someone hangs up as soon as I introduce myself, they will get a call back in a few days. That’s how it works. Maybe you think that’s a bad practice; feel free to have that opinion. The fact remains that it’s profitable, it’s legal, and it’s what we do… so if you want to make the most of your time, say no and get us off your back.
I’m not asking for sympathy. Some of the ex-telemarketers seem to have had a pretty bad time… not me. I make decent money and nothing the telemarketees say bothers me. I don’t need sympathy.
The more you use local phone calls to call us, the more lines the phone company has to install (trunks, etc.) The more of these that are required, the more my phone line costs, seeing as how you (who makes 1000000 calls monthly) pay the same as me (who makes 100 calls). It’s simple economics. It DOES cost me when you call me, as well as when you call everyone else. If nobody called anyone, telephone service would be free, as there would be no need for any infrastructure or, for that matter, any phone company at all.
IANAL, but I think that some varieties of autodialers are illegal.
Oh dear, someone’s upset Mr Cynical. Tell me something, Mr C, is that what you charge for a fuck? Could be, I suppose.
Telemarketers can fuck right off. If they don’t like the treatment they get from people, get a new fucking job. They absolutely have the right to call me up uninvited, and in exchange I have the right to be as rude back as I care to be.
Flymaster:
Maybe if you live in a town with only 10 circuits and a human operator. The civilized world has no shortage of capacity.
We pay far more than you. We have many phone lines and we pay business rates.
OK, confession time
I once took a telemarketing job out of desparation. It turned out to be a fly by night outfit that flew one night. Without giving me my last week’s paycheck. The previous week’s check bounced. I went through the next several years of my life feeling vaguely unclean for having participated in the scam (we were selling those $2000 worth of stuff for $40. But many, if not most of the businesses we contracted with refused to honor the coupons, or said that they were only good on Thursdays when the moon was full, or some crap. I should have known something was up when the “owner” forbade us to have the coupon books on our desks so we could tell the people we were calling what businesses the coupons could be used at.)
I have also worked in market research. That was kind of fun, actually.
Ya know what? I still think telemarketers are scum, but I am always willing to do a survey, as long as you aren’t using the survey to disguise a sales call. I even liked doing surveys before I worked in market research. Somebody actually wants my opinion?
Telemarketers who pose as researchers are one step lower on the evolutionary scale than pond scum.
Also, if I tell you I’m not interested, do not ask me why I’m not interested. If you’re lucky, I’ll only hang up on you.
Oh, there have been times that I’ve actually been in the market for a product…and had a telemarketer call me about it. A TV dish, insurance, stuff like that. I listen most carefully to make sure that I have the correct name for the company. Then I make sure that that company’s name goes to the bottom of the list. As in, I’ll buy from that company only if I have no other option. And if the company’s advertising, then I almost certainly have an option. Several times, I’ve been thinking about actually buying from a company (the most recent time was with the satellite dish) and I get a call from the company I was considering. HA! There went THAT sale. I’ve written to a couple of sales departments, too, explaining why I ultimately decided against a purchase.
Bottom line, I don’t like being telemarketed to. Even if I’m in the market for a particular good or service, calling me on the phone guarantees that I will make every effort to avoid doing business with your company. I even keep a blacklist of companies. If you want my money, you will treat me the way I prefer to be treated.
As to why I still answer the phone…my husband works for the government, and his shop has government phone lines. With caller ID, a call from his shop will show up as unavailable. He’s on call. Anyway, it’s MY frigging phone. I don’t mind my friends, family, or job waking me up. I DO mind having some telemarketer waking me up.
I don’t buy anything door-to-door, either.
Okay, I’m going to address Flymaster, Gary Kumquat, and Rocket88 here in one fell swoop.
First, your reading comprehension leaves something to be desired. All of you. I’ll tell you why, and I’ll be sure to do it in simple words so that you can easily understand.
Example #1:
*Flymaster ejaculated:
Apparently, you either did not read, or did not understand the post in which I clearly stated that I am not a telemarketer. Telemarketers typically cannot buy and sell people with as little influence as you, which I can.
*Flymaster sadly followed up with:
Did I start this thread? No. Did you post like a jackass? Absolutely. Fortunately for you, the “Don’t be a jerk” rule is being suspended temporarily to see how stupid you can get before you realize that it would be a good time to shut up.
*Rocket88 blurted:
Firstly, I never said that you should listen to the spiel. In fact, I advised that you should cut it short. You even mentioned that later in your own post.
Secondly, you have a choice. Do you waste your time to get taken off the list, or do you waste your time getting phone calls? Maters not to me in the slightest.
Third, you need to read what you agree to. Even the fine print. In many circumstances, when you sign up to do business with a company, to browse a website, or even to enter a lottery for a free car, you are agreeing that they may sell or provide your name and contact information to their partners. In short, you are agreeing to be on those lists, you’re simply unaware that you are.
*Rocket88 further drooled:
Syllables, you lunkhead. There’s a difference.
Additionally, I’ve provided links to show you how to get money from these companies, from $500 to $1500 per instance. That’s easy money. Damn, I’d be happy to sit by the phone 24/7 and collect that kind of loot for each telemarketing call from people I don’t want to call.
*Rocket88 asked a doozy here with:
None of the above. Use the information I have already provided you with to tell them no, and to see if you can’t make a few bucks out of the call.
*Flymaster popped off with:
Of all the people to ask this question, I am surprised it is you. What with all the real-world experience you’ve obviously got.
*Gary Kumquat got in over his head with:
Actually, I charge twelve, and your mother is a fantastic return customer. The extra penny is because she likes it in the backdoor, and I have to cover the extra soap expense.
I’m not going to bother quoting his next statement, since it would make me stupider by association. I will, however, state that only a moron sets himself up to receive more of something that he does not like. It’s like being made to eat a shit sandwich and asking for seconds.
Gary, your moron flag is waving proudly, I see. I’ll keep that in mind the next time I see a post from you, so that I can make sure to remember from when ce it came.
It’s none of your fucking business. I don’t take sales calls, no matter what you’re selling. I don’t feel like sharing my personal financial problems with a stranger over the phone. Bugger off.
I don’t. I hope you listen to your callers better then that. I never said that I tell them “I’m not interested right now” No wonder names don’t get taken off the list. Pay attention!
OK, yeah…I’m having a little trouble following this logic. If someone sees on TV that there is fraudulant telemarketing going on involving their local fire department, they should take your word that you’re NOT a fraud and give you money? Oh, OK! Well, let me get my credit card out- I’m sure you’re a very nice person and won’t cheat me, even though I’ve been warned to avoid people claiming to be from the fire department looking for money. Thanks for clearing that up! Sometimes I feel so stupid being careful!
Actually, the question is “Why the fuck are you calling me?” (that’s usually what she says) because it takes her about 10 rings to get to the phone- she’s elderly and handicapped, and it annoys the ever loving shit out of her to answer the phone and get a soliciter on the other end. She has a phone for her Lifeline service, and so my husband and I can reach her, not so someone can call and bug her about magazine subscriptions or some such. She doesn’t read magazines, need storm windows or siding, want a free vacation, etc. Leave her alone, for Gods sake.
Oh, goodie! When do I get my telemarketee badge? A model telemarketee? I’ve never been so honored. No shit, sherlock. I didn’t say I was ever rude to telemarketers, but I understaned why some people are. I’m not out to make your life miserable, but I take issue with your attitude that I haven’t “been pitched right”. Pitch this, dumbfuck.
I belive they did by telling you
You just didn’t like the WAY they told you no because you think they lied. Tough shit, they don’t owe you the truth.
I think you’re confused here based on your quotes, but I don’t feel like clearing it up. Go back and re-read. I get your point, though and I won’t argue it, as I don’t have kids. If you say that you hear kids saying “Mommy and Daddy aren’t home”, I believe you.
You can’t tell until the end of the call that they’ve just been saying “yes” the whole time and don’t understand what they’re saying “yes” to? OK…
I don’t want to frustrate a telemarketer, I just don’t want what you’re offering. I don’t wish you (as a group) ill, I wish you away. Far away.
Hey, I’m not saying there are people in the world who don’t love to be called and sold product- I’m sure there are. I’m saying you should respect those of us who don’t care to take the chance that you are a scammer, and don’t want to listen to your pitch. We don’t have to listen or WANT to listen. You seem to think we’re dumb for saying no before we are aware of what you’re selling. I disagree.
No, that’s NOT what you said. You said
and
You are saying that we owe YOU our time to hear about your product before making up our minds. That’s just not true, my friend. As a matter of personal policy, many people don’t listen to telemarketing people because of the chance of being scammed. End of story.
I see we need to agree to disagree about the sales pitch bit, but I do agree on one point. Telemarketers are doing a job, and there’s no need to be rude. Turn them down, ask to be taken off the list, and that’s the end of that. See the link I posted earlier to the Attorney General’s website (or find your state office) for more info on how to avoid being scammed or harassed.
Zette
Mr2001:
I think the item in your OP that rubs people the wrong way is
Look, I don’t buy anything from telemarketers. Ever. When I get a call, I just say “No thank you, I’m not interested” and hang up. I see no reason to waste the telemarketers time, or, more importantly, my time, by listening to a spiel when I’m not interested. However, you, Mr2001, are telling me that that’s not good enough. In fact, you’re telling me that if I don’t listen to your spiel, then you’ll harrass me for the rest of my life.
How can you possibly, seriously, think this attitude is justified? Ethical? Profitable?
You also ask,
I think that because I don’t care what you’re offering; I still don’t want any. Why would you waste your time harrassing me after I tell you I don’t want any?
Look, I’m not sure if you get this, but I pay for a phone for my convenience, not yours. I decide who I want to talk to. I’ll participate in phone surveys (re: Smeghead and Thea Logica) because it’s (usually) interesting and fun. I have no interest in talking to a telemarketer. I certainly do not want to argue with one about how I ought to listen to his sales pitch, and I most certainly do not want to be harrassed by a telemarketer.
I don’t get that many sales calls, and, as far as I can tell, few if any repeats, so honestly it’s not that big of a deal for me. However, in light of Mr2001’s rather forceful attitude, maybe it should be.
No one ever harasses me after I saw I don’t want any, because I immediately hang up. I don’t buy ANYTHING over the phone. At ALL.
Previously, I did the standard “I’m not interested” hangup. Now that I have caller ID, I just don’t answer the phone when it shows “Unavailable.” If it’s a friend, they’ll leave me voicemail. Simple enough.
i used to be a telemarketer. i was your worst nightmare. i never took no for an answer. i had a response to anything you could come up with. there was only one way to get me off the phone and that was to hang up on me. pity the fool who didn’t want to be rude. i did it because it was my job and i have always put 110% into every job i’ve ever had. i used to feel like the op. i actually believed that it was my right to call strangers and they were in the wrong for not responding the way i thought they should. i was even sensitive to telemarketers long after i stopped doing it. i tried to help them like the guy did in the movie ‘boiler room’.
now, years later, i feel that telemarketing should be made illegal and i am certain that it will one day be made illegal. it is a crappy, intrusive way of selling things and nobody likes it. it is more useless and bothersome than panhandling on the street.
to the op, forget your rant. you’re responsibility to your job is to make a call. the person you call has no responsibility to you or your job. you’re not his boss, you’re not his family, you’re not his friend. you are an unwelcome intrusion, nothing more. to most people, you’re not even a salesman. you’re a paid crank caller. if you have a brain in your head, soon you’ll have a legitimate job and you’ll feel the same way.
C, I doubt anyone’s ever been over their head in a conversation with you. Anyway, let’s go on. Let’s see, couple of “yer ma’s a slut” remarks - erhm, do you expect that to be hurtful? What else…
The phrase is “more stupid”, and I can see why you would appear so when you’re compared to someone else.
Basically, you dimwitted chump, the reason people dislike telemarketers is because they’re rude, pointless and a waste of time. This is probably why you find yourself such a natural at it. Enjoy.
Well put.
You don’t mean that literally, do you? Are you trying to say that these guys make 1,000 calls a day and get 1,000 sales? Shit, if they were that convincing, I’d think they’d have moved up the fast-talking salesman ladder by now. Used car dealers or something, y’know?
No way. Successful telemarketers, like successful trolls, are essentially cowards at heart. They would be completely unable to bully someone in person the way they can over the faceless medium of the telephone or internet.