Ok, so I know everybody here has already done their own telemarketing bit. But this, at least to me, takes the cake.
I’m at my desk today, around 1300, and the outdial line on my phone starts flashing. I pick up.
“20th SF, SSgt Mang speaking.”
On the other end of the line, in moderately broken english, comes this voice. “Hi, I’m Jimbo Jones from XXX mortgage company. Is the homeowner in?”
So, I think to myself ‘did this fellow listen to me?’ So, of course, I repeat myself. “This is the 20th Security Forces Squadron. Staff Sergeant Mang speaking. How can I help you?”
“Oh, hello. I’m Jimbo Jones from XXX mortgage company. Are you the homeowner?”
At that, I blink hard. I can see if when I said 20th SF, rank and name, he may have misunderstood me. But the second time, well, how hard is it to realize that ‘squadron’ rarely means ‘homeowner?’
“I am a homeowner, but this is not a personal line. You’ve reached the duty desk of the 20th Security Forces Squadron.” I figure that’ll do it. He’ll get the point and either apologize and hang up or just hang up. Either way, no harm done, right? Wrong.
“Sir, do you have a mortgage?”
“I do, but you’ve reached the duty desk of the 20th Security Forces Squadron. This is a government line. How did you get this number anyway?”
“Well, sir, if I may have a few minutes of your time. My company, XXX mortgage, is currently offering some very low and competative interest rates on refinancing home mortgages.”
Now I’m really, really wondering if we’re speaking the same language here. “Son, do you understand me? You’ve reached the 20th Security Forces Squadron, Shaw AFB. This is not a private residence, and I suggest you remove this number from your company’s database.”
“Sir, if I may ask, what rate do you have on your mortgage?”
I heard this and my bloodpressure hit the roof. “Are you some kind of idiot? This is NOT a private residence! This is a military instillation, and you’re talking to the desk sergeant of this base’s security! I don’t know what goddamned country you’re from, but in THIS one, you don’t call businesses for mortgage sales! Now put a block on this number and don’t fucking call back!” At this point, I hang up. I’d been shouting loud enough that some of the guys came out of the back and asked me what’s going on. I tell them and a good laugh insues.
So tell me, was I wrong for getting pissed that a telemarketer dialed into my shop?
(Gah, like I said, it’s lame, but it still ticked me off.)