# What do you do to telemarketers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970 "2010-02-07T00:26:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/41 "2010-02-07T14:44:36Z")
When they call me, I tell them whoever they’ve asked to speak to, died last month. A moment later, with my best voice of a minimally to moderately demented old man, I ask them if the recently diseased (insert name here) owed them money _too_ and how if they’d just give me a bit more time I could pay them back some of the amount owing. Of course, at this point, most apologize, say good-bye, and hang up. Some don’t and, depending on my mood, I either pretend to start crying or lament the spendthrift ways of my late “brother-in-law” and ask them to try to understand that “his mind wasn’t the same near the end. He didn’t know what he was doing . . .”. Of course, there are a few who, upon hearing of the death of their target, and in their very next breath, proceed to give _me_ their spiel without a single word of (even insincere) consolation. Assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/42 "2010-02-07T15:16:26Z")
I just put them on speaker and continue my business until they go away, as mentioned above. The reason for this approach is that I want to consume as much of their time as possible. It’s my little part to play in getting rid of a public nuisance. I do not agree that telemarketers are just doing their job and therefore deserve courtesy. Their “job” is to interrupt people without the possibility of being aware of what they are interrupting. That’s rude and invasive. It needs to go away as an allowable business practice. Just because I own a phone doesn’t give you the permission to use it unilaterally. It’s not 30 seconds. It’s 30 seconds multiplied by everyone who would call me if I did not take active steps to avoid being called, plus the time lost re-starting whatever I was doing (including sleeping) when I was interrupted. On rare occasion, for fun, I’ll try to sell them something. I love the various fancier sendoffs, including **KarlGauss’s** and also the famous one where the telemarketer gets sucked into being a crime witness, but I don’t have time for them. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/43 "2010-02-07T16:39:13Z")
I’d really love to be able to tell them to put me on their DNC list, but most of the calls I get these days are from computers. The canned voice goes through the spiel, gives contact information and then hangs up. At least, that’s what I hear on the answering machine. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/44 "2010-02-07T19:14:58Z")
It depends a bit. Sometimes I answer, and get a moment of silence before their computer switches on a person. Then I just hang up. Otherwise, I just say “I’m not interested, thanks, bye.” and hang up without waiting for a response. My wife, like some people here, waits for some kind of OK before hanging up. Sometimes (rarely) they get on my nerves, most recently some charity that begins their pitch with “Hello, I’m with \, the environmental group you’re a member of.” The last time, they got “I am not a member of your group and I wish you’d stop telling me that.” \. I should try telling them to add me to their DNC list, but I don’t think charities have to follow that, so it might not help. I registered for the national DNC list, but I think I need to renew soon (every three years, I think?). - Don’t remember, and I’m not a member. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/45 "2010-02-07T19:52:53Z")
I say: I’m sorry, but I do not accept unsolicited phone calls. Please do not call me again. Then I hang up. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/46 "2010-02-07T20:29:12Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > \*\*I say “Please don’t call again” the second I realize it is a telemarketer and hang up. \*\* > Since you didn’t ask to be put on the DNC it just gets marked as a “no” and you will be called again. Do you really think the average telemarketer is not able to grasp that “Please don’t call again” is a DNC? I’m on the national DNC. I don’t care what a telemarketer needs “confirmation” of. That’s their policy, not mine. Mine is do not ever, under any circumstances, call my number and interrupt, disrupt, bother or otherwise harass me. It’s my phone, not theirs. I pay for telephone service so I can communicate with friends and loved ones, conduct personal business and request emergency assistance if need be. I’m not paying for the service so people can try and sell me things. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/47 "2010-02-07T21:14:11Z")
I say “I’m not interested” and just hang up. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/48 "2010-02-07T21:23:57Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > It’s “personal” as soon as you ring my number. > > You call it “a job”, I call it “sat on your ass annoying people all day”. Are you not able to grasp the concept of being partially handicapped and unable to stand for long hours? Youre response tells me all that needs to be said about you. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/49 "2010-02-07T21:27:00Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > \*\*I say “Please don’t call again” the second I realize it is a telemarketer and hang up. \*\* > Since you didn’t ask to be put on the DNC it just gets marked as a “no” and you will be called again. > > **Because of the Do Not Call List, telemarketers aren’t even supposed to be calling me.** > The National DNC does not apply to non profit charities, schools, and political orginazations. > > \*\*I hang up without speaking once I realize what it is. \*\* > Since you didn’t identify yourself, we assume no one is there and you get marked as a call back. If someone is particularly vindictive, they will mark to call Saturday at 8 am. > > \*\*I have a standard response: “We do not accept telephone solicitations of any kind at this number. Please put it on your Do Not Call list. Goodbye.” And then I hang up. \*\* > Without us getting a verbal confirmation of your phone number, we do not have to add you to our DNC lists. This, by the way, is why I don’t buy they “they’re just poor people doing a bad job” line. In none of these cases is the intention of the called person even slightly inobvious, and yet the policies are designed to deliberately ignore the wishes of the person you’re calling. Embezzlers, bank robbers, social security scam artists, and muggers are just people doing a bad job to earn a paycheck, too. And given the telemarketing industry’s habit of preying on the elderly, I’d argue that most of the above are more honest about it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/50 "2010-02-07T21:31:18Z")
Forgot to add: I also file a complaint on the do not call registry. [Link](https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2). ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/51 "2010-02-07T22:45:56Z")
I used to say “no” and hang up, but I haven’t heard from a human telemarketer in years. These days the ones flaunting the DNC are all recorded messages, so you can’t even get the satisfaction of telling them to fuck off. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/52 "2010-02-08T01:05:35Z")
I don’t even let them speak. I hear the three or so seconds of silence before they start their spiel, and I hang up. I never say “hello” twice. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/53 "2010-02-08T05:38:49Z")
I don’t have a landline anymore, but when I did, it had caller ID, and I never picked up if I didn’t recognize the number. Same thing I do now on my cell phone, come to think of it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/54 "2010-02-08T11:06:42Z")
I say “sorry, it’s a bad time, I happen to be in Scotland, bye!” and hang up. Hey, spending most of your time outside the country has its advantages. I can’t do the caller-ID thing because I do get legit calls from unknown numbers (clients, usually). ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/55 "2010-02-08T13:48:06Z")
I will generally purchase whatever they’re selling, or make a donation to their cause, as long as it’s not a repugnant one. You have no idea how uplifting it is to hear the utter joy in their voice as soon as they realize the blessed event has taken place – they’ve had a successful call! They haven’t been shot down! Sometimes they’re beyond themselves with glee and have no idea what to do next. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/56 "2010-02-08T14:28:09Z")
I only have a landline for my broadband, so the only calls I get are sales calls. I don’t believe in being impolite: _Interrupting them_…“I’m very sorry, I don’t accept sales calls on my personal line, good bye”. _Phone down_ ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/57 "2010-02-08T14:53:20Z")
I don’t answer any phone number I don’t recognize. If it’s important they’ll leave a message. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/58 "2010-02-08T15:17:32Z")
> [@Lunar\_Saltlick](#): > > I will generally purchase whatever they’re selling, or make a donation to their cause, as long as it’s not a repugnant one. You have no idea how uplifting it is to hear the utter joy in their voice as soon as they realize the blessed event has taken place – they’ve had a successful call! They haven’t been shot down! Sometimes they’re beyond themselves with glee and have no idea what to do next. This made me laugh. I’ve done telemarketing before, for a very short stint. It’s a horrible, horrible job. I can’t imagine having to do it. I too just say “We’re not interested, thanks”, whether they have finished talking or not, and hang up. Funnily enough, generally it works. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/59 "2010-02-08T15:21:28Z")
I actually feel bad about saying, ‘no thank you’. I say, “I’m so sorry. We are not interested at all. Please don’t call again. I’m sorry.” and I hang up. Yes, I actually apologize twice. Because I feel like an asshole for hanging up on someone. ---
**Author:** ![AussieDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c5a1d2/32.png) [@AussieDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AussieDog)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970/60 "2010-02-08T16:15:01Z")
I got a call a few weeks ago from an outfit that wanted to sell me ID protection services. I asked the called if they in fact used the service themselves. I was told that they did and they’ve had no ID theft problems. I then asked this person for their Social Security number so I could try it out. The phone went dead… So now I always ask for a caller’s SS number. The calls don’t last to long after that. Woody [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-to-telemarketers/527970.md?page=4)