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How to get off the phone with a telemarketer

posted 2 years ago by R_Kane (15828)
15 replies | jump to latest

We all hate telemarketers. By the way, most of them hate themselves. I’ve done more than my share of cold calling, so I know. I’ve stumbled on a sure-fire way to get off the line with these folks. It’s all in how you take the call. Unless Caller ID tells me it’s a friend, I always answer professionally, “Hello, this is Raymond, how can I help you?” They usually freak and hang up right then and there. They can see they will not be controlling the call. Sometimes they reply, “Can I speak to Raymond?” Then I make my tone exasperated: “I just TOLD you I am Raymond. What can I do for you?” Then, CLICK.

I tell ya, telemarketers today got no balls!

[–] NotoriousRio (12927) 2 years ago

Everybody Loves Raymond.

[–] 102000 (6248) 2 years ago

1. Don't answer calls from numbers you don't recognize.

2. If for some reason you disregard #1 and answer the call, once you realize it a telemarketer, simply hang up.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

call display is your friend.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77360) 2 years ago

Yes, just hang up immediately.

[–] chilone (17857) 2 years ago

I often ask them if they're hot.

[–] aliensalmon (5603) 2 years ago

There was someone who pranked them by saying he was a cop and telling them they called into a crime scene and that he, being the person they called, was murdered.

[–] damocci (1514) 2 years ago

I;m sure this is the prank call you're referring to:

How to deal with a Telemarketer by Tom Mabe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7OgWcwgB50

[–] aliensalmon (5603) 2 years ago

Tom Mabe, yep, that's the name! Thanks!

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 2 years ago

For many years at a job of mine, I did not have the luxury of NOT answering a phone call. Therefor I had to deal with many sales calls and "address verification calls."

Hanging up was the easiest obviously. But I got so many that I had some fun. Most common was asking them their name then putting them on hold forever. I'd write how long they waited by their name. After I got an idea how long they would wait on average, I'd pick up the phone and assure them that an interested party would talk to them soon then put them back on hold.

The tactic that was the most fun was to simply repeat back to them everything they said in their own voice (I am a skilled mimic). This always steams them quick. And no, they were not all from India.

[–] Otter (24464) 2 years ago

Oh, I'm just plain rude. Sorry if you're a telemarketer, all I can say is that 1) it's not personal, and 2) you deserve it.

[–] Wint3rFir3 (7146) 2 years ago

I just say no thank you and hang up, it's fairly simple and kinda ensures they don't immediately try to call back,

[–] xanthas (3215) 2 years ago

Just start talking about QAnon conspiracy theories.