Curse of the Telemarketers

[kybearfuzz]

I've tried to be more sympathetic when it comes to telemarketers of late. With the economy as it is, I'm sure there are people who took the plunge and accepted such a job. However, the timing of the calls, the nature of the calls, etc., have not changed and it's reached beyond the limits of patience.

Lately, I've been the victim of the robo-calls. Calls from Oregon, Washington, and Utah have come to home and cell phones, promising to lower my credit rates. The first time or two I hit #3 to remove myself from the list or tried to contact the operator, but I think all it did was verify that my number was legitimate. Both of my numbers are on the Do Not Call registry, which is apparently as useful as a birth control pill at an old folks home. I've registered complaints on the numbers I have and yet I'll get new ones weekly.

Tonight, I was called at 9 PM by my cable company for no good reason. She called to inform me of a merger with another cable company

"Are you aware of the merger?" she asked.

"No," I said flatly.

There was silence while she seemed to be waiting for more info from me. She then told me about great deals with their phone/internet service bundle.

"Who do you have your internet service with?" she asked.

"That's none of your damn business," I replied angrily, "and I don't appreciate being called at 9 PM just so your company can hand off a sales pitch! How do I get my number removed from your system so I don't have to suffer through this again??"

She told me that it would be removed and that the cable company takes the "Do Not Call" registry very seriously.

"Well, you must not take it too seriously, as this number is on the registry already and has been for years," I said, "Are you not checking the registry as you are required to by law??"

The lady stammered through the rest of her speech, talking so fast that words were starting to slur together. We eventually just hung up.

At least there is one less call that will be coming back, I hope.

Comments

[barak.livejournal.com]

I think, legally, any company that you legitimately do business can call your number for telemarketing. But I'm not entirely certain of that. You might call the company's service line or write them and complain- although the cynic in me says that won't do any good because companies are doing everything can to get business.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

You might be right, but I've already told them I didn't want the call so we'll see what happens when they call next.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

This is why I got rid of my land line.

I got sick of the never ending parade of obnoxious telemarketers, who came and went like busboys in a crowded restuarant.

I think I may have gotten two or three
telemarketer calls on my cell, but that's during a spread of 8 years.

I do not miss my land line.

Things I did to discourage telemarketers:

Played LOUD music on the phone.

Asked them what they were wearing.

Asked them for their personal number, so
that I may call them while they are in eating, in the tub, sleeping, having sex, etc.

Etc. :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

*takes notes*

Oooh... I like these suggestions. I'll keep that in mind for the next one that calls. I might as well f*ck with them a bit if they're going to call me.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Yes.. have a bit of fun with them!