Telemarketers - Do you hate them? - I do!

[Sleepy]

I've got say, I am sick of Kevin from Karachi or Brian from Bombay ringing me just as we are putting dinner on the table. It's happening on a daily basis. 6.30pm every day! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

• I've signed the do-not-call web site. (May have made things worse?)
• I've tried to politely tell them to not call me
• I've hung up on them
• I've played guitar to them. (I know - cruel!)
• I've let the dog talk to them
• I leave them on hold

I just want them to go away!!!!!!

Has anyone had success in getting rid of these annoying leaches?
What tactics do you use when they do call?

I'm close to changing my number or cutting the phone off and just having a mobile.

[Phil633]

I signed the do not call register on the web.

Haven't had a call since
From telemarketers that is

[JDNSW]

I've got on the "do not call" register, and have found it reduced them, but not eliminated them. (note that this does not mean that charities and politicians can't call you!)

My technique for dealing with them is to ask for and insist on getting the company's name and ABN before listening to anything else. Usually they hang up immediately, but if you actually get the information, you can then lodge a complaint with the do not call register (which is why they hang up). Worst offenders I have had are phone companies, which means you can also complain to the TIO or Department of Communications.

John

[easo]

We went though a stage of continuous calling, so as soon as we picked up and heard that pause sound from an oversea call, we just hung up strait away with out answering. Before you know it they will be face stalking (face book) you too.

Haven't had one for quite some time, Easo

[waynep]

That's a good idea John I'll have to try that.
Since we went on the DNC register most of the calls we get are from the charities - ( who are exempt but still irks me - I donate to several charities but like to do it at my behest ) and survey companies - the genuine survey companies that is.

[MacMan]

We have an unlisted number, but we STILL get unsolicited marketing calls for people looking for our number's PREVIOUS owners even though we are on the do not call list. Signing up did shut them up for a while, but they are increasing again.

Up to now I have either:

- Ask them in a breathy voice, "what are you wearing". I figure they called me in my home, so game on.

- Yell, scream, rant, rave and generally wig out until they hang up.

I LOVE the ABN question. Will use that from now on.

[mike 90 RR]

I do the following
Hang up on the pause

If I happen to answer and one of them is talking to me ... I ask "Are you trying to promote your product" and they usually answer NO and go straight into the promo ... in which I then explain to them how they have "Lied to me" and God will punish folks that tell lies

Or just tell em "I do not wish to participate in this"

Oh and Yes ... The Company name / address & ABN question does knock out a lot of them ... Especially when you tell them that you forward it on to the "A triple C" .. to verify the company

Telemarketing has been raped as a legitiment industry mainly due to Queensland and the Indian's

[dobbo]

Fake the Symptoms of Tourette syndrome

or

Inform them of your consultation fee and minimum charges and then ask for their credit card details

works every time.

[Santana]

I put them on hold... indefinitedly. I ask them to hold on that I am just going to close a door, and I never return, that costs the company some money on wasted operator time. And you don't have to interact with an innocent person who is just doing its job, no need to get agro.

For genuine charities I given them a genuine answer.... I am a shift worker and you've just woken me up, I need to sleep as I have a 24h shift coming... they always apologize and leave you alone.

[olbod]

I just tell them to F... off and hang up.

We used to get those door knocking religious groups banging on the door,
so I would just tell them the same thing.
They dont call here anymore.