Community Chat

[mgm2]

On 3/4/2014 betteb said:

1. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.

2. If they start out with, “How are you today?” say, “I’m so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems. My arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died . . . “

3. If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located, how long it has been in business, how many people work there, how they got into this line of work if they are married, how many kids they have, etc. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.

4. (This works great if you are male) Telemarketer: “Hi, my name is Judy and I’m with XYZ Company. ” You: Wait for a second and with a real husky voice ask, “What are you wearing?”

5. Cry out in surprise, “Judy? Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?” Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of terror as she tries to figure out where she could know you from.

6. Say “No” over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one, and keep a rhythmic tempo, even as they are trying to speak. This is most fun if you can do it until they hang up.

7. If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan, reply, in as sinister a voice as you can, “I don’t have any friends, would you be my friend?”

8. If the company cleans rugs, respond: “Can you get out blood? Can you get out goat blood? How about human blood?”

9. After the Telemarketer gives his or her spiel, ask him or her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you can’t just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.

10. If the Telemarketer is selling raffle tickets, tell him or her that you work for the same company, and that employees cannot participate.

11. Answer the phone. As soon as you realize it is a Telemarketer, set the receiver down, scream, “OH MY GOD!” and then hang up.

12. Tell the Telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask if he/she will give you their home phone number so you can call him/her back. When the Telemarketer explains that telemarketers cannot give out their home numbers say, “I guess you don’t want anyone bothering you at home, right?” The Telemarketer will agree and you say, “Me either!” and proceed to hang up.

13. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.

14. Tell them it is dinner time, but ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation. For added effect, clanging of cutlery and dishes is recommended.

15. Tell the Telemarketer you are on “home incarceration” and ask if they could bring you some beer.

16. Ask them to fax the information to you, and make up a number.

17. Tell the Telemarketer, “Okay, I’ll listen to you. But I should probably tell you, I’m not wearing any clothes.”

18. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on, Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”

19. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up… louder… louder!

20. Tell them to talk very slowly, because you want to write every word down.

THANKS betteb!

#2 is my favorite.

[sgraham30]

My youngest son used to get a kick out of tormenting telemarketers, now since we have caller ID, we just don't answer the phone. One time he answered the phone, the telemarketer identified themselves. My son said "thank goodness, you called, I got the results of the pregnancy test back.......it's YOURS!!!!" He said the telemarketer said "huh?" & hung up immediately. The telemarketer was a young man,LOL.

Another time, he & my daughter were screaming when he picked up the phone. He asked the telemarketer to call the police because they were being attacked,the telemarketer hung up immediately. (no one was attacking anyone, my son has a strange sense of humor)

[circles]

On 3/5/2014 VCamp2748 said:

My way's easier - don't answer

no, this is not the easiest way.....they keep calling till someone does pick up....at least that is what happens here...

here is what my sister does.....when the call comes in....and many times they will say is this....so and so....she always says no....this is the babysitter...seems to work for her..they stop calling....

[MomOf4]

Believe it or not, I got a call from AT&T yesterday that started out with a woman saying, "This is a telemarketing call from AT&T." I was so shocked, I listened to the first 2 minutes of the call before hanging up.

[kdgn]

If I don't recognize the number I ignore the call now. If it's someone I do business with or possibly a cell phone number of a friend/relative they'll leave a message.

That philosophy has just about stopped the telemarketer calls. There are many days where the phone doesn't ring at all. The silence is wonderful.

[hckynut]

On 3/4/2014 mgm2 said:

<h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 1. If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 2. If they start out with, “How are you today?” say, “I’m so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems. My arthritis is acting up, my eyelashes are sore, my dog just died . . . “</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 3. If they say they’re John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name. Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located, how long it has been in business, how many people work there, how they got into this line of work if they are married, how many kids they have, etc. Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as long as necessary.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 4. (This works great if you are male) Telemarketer: “Hi, my name is Judy and I’m with XYZ Company. ” You: Wait for a second and with a real husky voice ask, “What are you wearing?”</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 5. Cry out : #191919;"> 6. Say “No” over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one, and keep a rhythmic tempo, even as they are trying to speak. This is most fun if you can do it until they hang up.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 7. 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 8. If the company cleans rugs, respond: “Can you get out blood? Can you get out goat blood? How about human blood?”</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 9. After the Telemarketer gives his or her spiel, ask him or her to marry you. When they get all flustered, tell them that you can’t just give your credit card number to a complete stranger.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919; #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 11. Answer the phone. As soon as you realize it is a Telemarketer, set the receiver down, scream, “OH MY GOD!” and then hang up.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 12. Tell the Telemarketer you are busy at the moment and ask if he/she will give you their home phone number so you can call him/her back. When the Telemarketer explains that telemarketers cannot give out their home numbers say, “I guess you don’t want anyone bothering you at home, right?” The Telemarketer will agree and you say, “Me either!” and proceed to hang up.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 13. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 14. Tell them it is dinner time, but ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation. For added effect, clanging of cutlery and dishes is recommended.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 15. Tell the Telemarketer you are on “home incarceration” and ask if they could bring you some beer.</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 17. Tell the Telemarketer, “Okay, I’ll listen to you. But I should probably tell you, I’m not wearing any clothes.”</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 18. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. “Come on, Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how’s your momma?”</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 19. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up… louder… louder!</h3> <h3 style="margin: 11px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #fbfbfb; font-family: Rokkitt, 'Times New Roman'; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; color: #191919;"> 20. Tell them to talk very slowly, because you want to write every word down.</h3>

Never mind.

[mgm2]

John, post # 3

[hckynut]

On 3/5/2014 mgm2 said:

John, post # 3

:-)

[shesallthat]

we got rid of our house phone mainly for this reason a few years ago!! we all have cellphones so that his how everyone contacted us. the only time the house phone rang was when a telemarketer called. even with our number being so-called ""private"". it was a waste of good money to pay every month for these people to keep calling and bothering us.

[Linders Back]

One I use legitimately but not saying you couldn't use it either: If they are calling from a window, roofing, or solar panel company offering me "Free" product, I tell them I'm in a condo community and we can't make alterations to the building. They usually say "sorry to have bothered you" and hang up. They don't call back, either. I guess this is a dead end and to not waste their time.