by Chris Bodenner
A reader writes:
Many years ago my mother found the answer this problem. Whenever a telemarketer called and started out with the standard, "Good morning Mrs. R, and how are you today?", she replied,"Oh, I'm so glad you asked …", and proceeded to start spinning a story about various physical ailments, family problems, etc. She just kept going and going with it. I don't know how she managed it – when telling about it later she would just start laughing uncontrollably. The poor telemarketer (and when was the last time you really felt sorry for one?) was just sputtering by the end and couldn't wait to get off the phone.
Another writes:
Listen, I understand how intrusive and annoying it is to be interrupted during personal time in one's home by someone who has an agenda to sell you something. I'm a mom with four kids and they always seem to catch me when I was giving someone a bath – or even worse, having the rare quiet moment to myself. But guess what: I was once the person making those calls.
My younger sister and I briefly worked for a telemarketing company in high school. We only lasted a few weeks because it absolutely sucked having people yell at you. I'll never forget the hostility and the yelling and the lecturing from the people I called. I was constantly on the edge of tears. Meanwhile, I had a manager who was on me to run through call lists and convince people to come to a presentation – it was one of those "win a free trip to Florida if you sit through a presentation on time shares" deals, and as a 17 year old I was not really in a position to evaluate if it was a scam or not. I was just a timid young woman making minimum wage.
Bottom line is: register with donotcall.gov if you don't like telemarketing calls. And try to feel some compassion for the telemarketer should they reach you. It's just so silly to get angry with these people – it's like yelling at the lowest person on the totem pole. And it doesn't cost a thing to kindly but firmly say no.
Another:
Why am I still getting so many telemarketing calls when I'm on the Do Not Call List? These companies are flagrantly violating the regulation, and I assume, risking incurring fees. Are they getting pay-offs? Why would they call someone who puts themselves on the Do Not Call List? It seems like they would be very unlikely to respond to a telemarketing call.
A "practical tip" from a former telemarketer:
Hang up on a telemarketer without so much as a "not interested" and the thick-skinned telemarketer will not think, "Oh, gee, I guess they don’t want it." They'll know that. They'll just keep calling you back to punish you.
The Dish 