# What do YOU tell telemarketers when they call? **URL:** \ **Category:** Lounge\ **Created:** [April 29, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478 "2009-04-29T04:35:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wolfy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wolfy/32/965_2.png) [@Wolfy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wolfy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 4:35am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/1 "2009-04-29T04:35:44Z")
I have seen some funny responses on other forums, though I would throw it out for you guys to comment. What are some of the creative ways you annoy Telemarketers to get them off the phone? ---
**Author:** ![Tigerlilly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/tigerlilly/32/2257_2.png) [@Tigerlilly](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Tigerlilly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 4:50am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/2 "2009-04-29T04:50:32Z")
A foghorn. ---
**Author:** ![jankren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jankren](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/jankren)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/3 "2009-04-29T05:31:00Z")
Ask for their homephone number and tell them you will call back. Anyway, telemarketers must be people who are devoid of feelings because I cant imagine how many times in a day they get yelled at by people on the other side of the line. ---
**Author:** ![Sillykitty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/sillykitty/32/1574_2.png) [@Sillykitty](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Sillykitty)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/4 "2009-04-29T05:31:18Z")
I don’t try to annoy them, because after all, they are just doing their job. I say, “Thank you, but I’m not interested, and please do not call this number again”. You get more flies with honey than with vinegar, and believe it or not, this works. If I were a telemarketer, and someone was very rude to me, I would continue to call them back, just to annoy them even more. But if I was treated with respect, then I would return that respect and take them off the calling list. ---
**Author:** ![mikotorocks714](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mikotorocks714/32/1509_2.png) [@mikotorocks714](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/mikotorocks714)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 9:05am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/5 "2009-04-29T09:05:56Z")
I used to do this when I was a wee lad, hey I needed the money. Sorry! But yeah, it sucked and everyone would yell at you when all you were trying to do is get a commission out of an appointment ha, ha. Gah, horrible! Never again! ---
**Author:** ![bubblebob](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/bubblebob/32/2120_2.png) [@bubblebob](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/bubblebob)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 10:29am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/6 "2009-04-29T10:29:02Z")
I try to sell them stuff myself… Great way to have a little fun! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bosshank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@bosshank](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/bosshank)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 11:02am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/7 "2009-04-29T11:02:44Z")
> [@Sillykitty](#): > > I don’t try to annoy them, because after all, they are just doing their job. I say, “Thank you, but I’m not interested, and please do not call this number again”. And then hang up quickly while they are trying to tell me why I should not hang up. Actually I put my number on the national Do Not Call list and have not had much trouble since. ---
**Author:** ![Ball.Saxbury](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/ball.saxbury/32/1063_2.png) [@Ball.Saxbury](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Ball.Saxbury)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/8 "2009-04-29T13:43:21Z")
I fake a bad British accent and go, “No, this is Ball Saxbury.” They hang right up. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wolfy/32/965_2.png) [@Wolfy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wolfy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/9 "2009-04-29T16:30:09Z")
This depends on my mood, sometimes it’s F\*\*\*Off _click_ For Dish, or cable companies, I have let them start their sales pitch, and then said “it sounds like you would need a TV for this right? the CIA put mind probes in my last Television, so I don’t have any in the house anymore…” if they haven’t hung up yet I start into the wackiest conspiracy theories I can think up. I tend to start reading off someone else’s sales pitch, such as "are you happy with how much you are spending on car insurance, with a quick 15 minute survey we could save you 15%… " I continue, not giving them a chance to get a word in edge wise until they hang up. If they get out “but I don’t have a car” I go on to “but we have a policy that covers you driving someone’s car or if you are hit by a car, did you realize that if you are hit by an uninsured driver that your health coverage likely will not cover the hospital stay or treatment for injuries” if they are still on the line I start asking questions, getting progressively more personal. but I haven’t gone this far- https://www.youtube.com/embed/yR-h8QyXhp0?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Tigerlilly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/tigerlilly/32/2257_2.png) [@Tigerlilly](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Tigerlilly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/10 "2009-04-29T16:47:28Z")
> [@Wolfy](#): > > For Dish, or cable companies, I have let them start their sales pitch, and then said “it sounds like you would need a TV for this right? the CIA put mind probes in my last Television, so I don’t have any in the house anymore…” if they haven’t hung up yet I start into the wackiest conspiracy theories I can think up. You, sir, owe me a new keyboard. I’ve spit coffee all over mine after reading that! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wolfy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wolfy/32/965_2.png) [@Wolfy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wolfy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/11 "2009-04-29T17:02:13Z")
> [@Tigerlilly](#): > > You, sir, owe me a new keyboard. I’ve spit coffee all over mine after reading that! 😃 you do know they make water proof keyboards, right? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/lor/32/759_2.png) [@Lor](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Lor)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/12 "2009-04-29T17:11:44Z")
i have in the past asked them to hold on a second while i played that song from the Jeopardy game show. ---
**Author:** ![Tigerlilly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/tigerlilly/32/2257_2.png) [@Tigerlilly](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Tigerlilly)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/13 "2009-04-29T18:13:14Z")
> [@Wolfy](#): > > you do know they make water proof keyboards, right? 😃 Do you honestly think the government will spring for any “fancy” equipment such as that? I have to pound the “p” key to all hell to even get it to type. ---
**Author:** ![Rbt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/rbt/32/2066_2.png) [@Rbt](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Rbt)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/14 "2009-04-29T18:19:43Z")
All they get from me is my answering machine with the standard “can’t answer your call right now” message. I also have it set to pick up only after 5 rings. One of my ladyfriends did a telemarketing stint years ago and she said they told her to hang up and go on to next number if no answer in 3 (or 4) rings, so most never get to the message part anyway. Machine is on speaker monitor so if the stick around for 5 rings and I recognize the voice THEN I (might) pick up. Regular callers know the routine. Years ago before I got a TAD I usually worked 12 hour days and wasn’t home for phone messages anyway… and I was abed by about 8pm (get home at 6 - sleep by 8:30 ish… fun - NOT). Although a few times when I did get a call I’d listen for a bit then maybe yell out “Johnnie put down that death ray laser!” or something equally as strange and hang up… ---
**Author:** ![renny](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/renny/32/2104_2.png) [@renny](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/renny)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/15 "2009-04-29T18:58:03Z")
Most of the time I give them a polite no thank you UNLESS they are from a telephone company. In that case I have a very funny and protracted routine of insisting that I don’t have a telephone. So far only one has tried to sell me one. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wolfy/32/965_2.png) [@Wolfy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wolfy)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/16 "2009-04-30T03:02:36Z")
> [@Rbt](#): > > All they get from me is my answering machine with the standard “can’t answer your call right now” message. I also have it set to pick up only after 5 rings. A friend of mine recorded the “_tones_ the number you dialed is not in service. if you…” and had that on his answering machine, most never got to the “if you” part, where he cut in and said “are still listening you know who I am leave a message _Beep_” mine was “30 second identity test starts now _Beep_” (spoken very short in a very rapid pace, I sped it up on the computer before recording it) I had 5 calls from a telemarketing place one afternoon, of girls laughing. They thought it was cute and had no idea why they called. > [@renny](#): > > Most of the time I give them a polite no thank you UNLESS they are from a telephone company. In that case I have a very funny and protracted routine of insisting that I don’t have a telephone. So far only one has tried to sell me one. That’s classic, kind of like arguing with the reload at a Fast food Restaurant that your orders in the drive through lane are to go. ---
**Author:** ![zeph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/85e7bf/32.png) [@zeph](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/zeph)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/17 "2009-05-02T00:42:21Z")
If I’m feeling a bit vindictive, I figure that they’re wasting my time so I waste theirs. I ask them the same questions over and over again, go over allllllll the details, and then do something like “oh I have to go now, I need to take a shit. You can join me if you want.” Generally I just say no thanks before the finish their first sentence and hang up. Since I’ve joined the do not call list though, no telemarketers. =D ---
**Author:** ![Wolfy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wolfy/32/965_2.png) [@Wolfy](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wolfy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 1:10pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/18 "2009-05-04T13:10:34Z")
A friend suggested this route of action- Ask the person calling for their badge number, identifier, or desk number, However they are identified in the company as a legitimate employee. Ask them for the company they are calling from, not the company they are calling on behalf of, but the name on the building. Ask for a call back number, (legitimate businesses have to provide this others will likely hangup by this point) Ask if they know about the federal Do not call list Then Ask if they know about local ordinance, (or state law) 37342007 (any number works, even better if you know your local ordinance numbering schemes) making it a $5000 fine for harassment for violation of any nationally published do not call list. I tried this, it took 3 or 4 tries to get a badge number from the caller, then it took about 5 to get the company he was working for, he said he could not give a call back number, but I went on to say that if I wanted to call check and make sure his offer was legitimate, he gave an 800 number, but immediately hung up when I asked about the do not call list. ---
**Author:** ![Lowtek](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/lowtek/32/1788_2.png) [@Lowtek](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Lowtek)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/19 "2009-05-04T14:31:42Z")
I say “Oh yes, I am very interested” - then hang up. Most of these people are on rapid dialers, and cannot re-dial you right then and there. You are queued ---
**Author:** ![diane999](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/diane999/32/1110_2.png) [@diane999](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/diane999)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478/20 "2009-05-04T15:42:33Z")
Most calls we get are preceded by the automated, “Please stay on the line for an important message…” b.s. Here is a tip. If you hang up immediately, wait 10 seconds, and then call the number back, you will get an automated options list. As a part of those options, they are required to give you an option of being placed on their Do Not Call List. Choose that option and you never hear from them again. We recently had a problem with UPS. My husband sent off a package for me with them and on the form they asked for a phone number. That is a good idea, considering there may be a problem delivering a package. At least that was his thought… so he put down his cell number. The next week he was flooded with calls from UPS, an 800 number, but no one ever left a message. We got 3 in one day. So, he called the number back and no one at UPS could answer his questions, and he let them know that if this was a solicitation call that he wanted it to stop. The person he was talking to told him she would add him to the Do Not Call List, but it would take up to _ **60** _ days for the calls to stop! He told her that was not okay with him. He informed her we are on the national registry and if he got another call, he would not be happy, and so UPS would not be happy with the outcome. We never received another call. Diane [Next page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/what-do-you-tell-telemarketers-when-they-call/28478.md?page=2)