Telemarketers failing the Turing test

[Chromatix]

You know, I seem to remember something about a "do not call" registry. If you don't want telemarketers and you're in the US, how about trying that?

In Europe, they're pretty much outlawed anyway.

[JLRodgers]

You know, I seem to remember something about a "do not call" registry. If you don't want telemarketers and you're in the US, how about trying that?

It might as well be a list they give to telemarketers to call anymore (used to work though).... my family's on it, and we get calls all the time. We reported a few, and were told we asked to be contacted (despite not even knowing who the company is, and not wanting to get a loan for our boat, nor even signing up for anything involving boats, loans, or water).

[JustADude]

It might as well be a list they give to telemarketers to call anymore (used to work though).... my family's on it, and we get calls all the time. We reported a few, and were told we asked to be contacted (despite not even knowing who the company is, and not wanting to get a loan for our boat, nor even signing up for anything involving boats, loans, or water).

Simple, you signed up for something (a website or other thing) where the fine-print said you agreed to be contacted by their business partners about things.

It's a loophole, but it does raise the chances that it's actually a legitimate company from nil to slim.

[One-Fang]

At one time, my message was simply "Leave a message", which isn't much longer than "Hello" when you think of it. Now I know why my answering machine would have so many recordings of hangups and "Hello? Hello?"

Gotcha beat.

We have no outgoing message.

ring-ring ring-ring ring-ring beep!

It's brilliant. Best form of call screening we've ever had. Our friends know, and will leave a message if they need to. We don't particularly need to hear from anyone else.

Does make for some interesting messages left. Mostly the "hello? hello?" type.

[edible_hat]

I love the ones that say "please stay on the line for an important message."

I've stopped getting those after I yelled at the telemarketer about how rude it is to ring people up and put them on hold.

[JLRodgers]

Simple, you signed up for something (a website or other thing) where the fine-print said you agreed to be contacted by their business partners about things.

I'd say that's true... but as the place that was calling us has been calling both our phone lines (we have two - in case one goes down, and the second is for a fax mainly). We don't even give out our second line number to anyone. And it's pretty obvious when the main line rings, then the second line, or both ring at about the same time with the same company, that we didn't give them permission --- they're going alphabetically through the phone book.

[Lingering Grin]

I'm sad, I hung up on a telemarketer last week.

I've hung up on so many telemarketers for so many reasons.

1. They were rude.
2. I say "no thank you" and they keep talking.
3. I can't understand a single word coming out of their mouth.
(I have nothing against people from other countries, but when you call me and your accent is so thick that the only thing I hear is "Hello! *Gahrahgahgahrargurg*" I'm gonna hang up...)

My favorite are the ones that call and ask for someone specific, and when i ask who is calling. I get one of two answers:

Just their first name
"This is Rick"

or

Their first name, and like half a company name.
"This is Rick with J.R." (When the real company name is something like J.R. Mortgage and Lending or some other stupid crap.)

My favorite is when they ask for ME, and all i get is "This is Rick".

"Sorry, I don't know any Rick's"

"Oh well, I'm with <some company> and I wanted..."

*Click*

[Rapscallion]

"Sorry, I don't know any Rick's"

"I knew a Rick once. He didn't give me up, he didn't let me down, he didn't turn around and desert me..."

Rapscallion

[Nashida]

I love the ones that say "please stay on the line for an important message."

Seriously? Who does that? Does ANYONE actually stay on the line?

I get those at work pretty much daily. And it makes no sense to me, since they're just calling random numbers, I guess. It's frustrating when I'm waiting for a customer to call back because she got disconnected and I pick up the receiver only to hear "Please hold for an important message from your jeweler" or "...your auto insurance" etc.

[IvorTangrean]

One thing I have always meant to do is place the three tones you hear when you dial a wrong number on my machine, it tells the telemarketing system that the number is no longer in use.

[Broomjockey]

"I knew a Rick once. He didn't give me up, he didn't let me down, he didn't turn around and desert me..."

Rapscallion

Am I weird for really liking that song?

[JustADude]

"I knew a Rick once. He didn't give me up, he didn't let me down, he didn't turn around and desert me..."

You mean THIS GUY?

[powerboy]

I love the ones that say "please stay on the line for an important message."

Seriously? Who does that? Does ANYONE actually stay on the line?

I don't

"I knew a Rick once. He didn't give me up, he didn't let me down, he didn't turn around and desert me..."

Rapscallion

Raps, you just had to go there. Nice

Am I weird for really liking that song?

Then I am weird also.