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Step 1
Keep your cool. It's best to be polite.
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Step 2
Tell the truth when you can. For example, "Pepper, I have to get back to work," or "Dad, dear, I gotta run, the twins are eating my loose change."
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Step 3
Be firm, especially at work if you're needed elsewhere. "Thanks for calling, but I have a speech to give right now and I must go."
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Step 4
Be more insistent than the telemarketer, the complainer, the fundraiser or the muckraker when they call. Get creative if you don't like the idea of out-and-out lies.
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Step 5
Interrupt the chatter, if need be, and let the caller know his or her time is up. A phone abuser is wasting your time.
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Step 6
Provide the caller with a better time to call, if you're so inclined. Or provide another option for communication, such as an e-mail address, a P.O. box or a better person to contact.
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Step 7
Give the caller one warning: "I am hanging up in 30 seconds; call our support center if there's another issue."
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Step 8
Hang up if the person on the other end of the line absolutely will not give up.
Comments
Willboywonder said
on 6/11/2008 Great tips. But how do you do it when the other person is going a mile a minute. You ever talk with someone who is talking non stop with no break. Doesn’t even seem like they take a breath in between sentences. If they did break, I could jump in and say I gotta go. Argggggg.
mostwretched said
on 12/28/2007 Me and my best friend have an understanding that we dont want to stay on the phone every day all day. so we just call to say something real quick....no small talk....like - Lakers channel 9 7:30 alright alright peace peace thats it...if you are someone who does the small talk... people will call you for just that. Alright? Alright. PEACE!
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 When I?m on the phone with a family member (in-laws side) that I do not particularly like and there is not much left to talk about, I just say, ?Alright, I will let you get back to what you were doing. Talk to you later.?
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 When any type of solicitor calls, I immediately ask, as many times as I have to until they give me a direct answer, "Are you calling for money?" When they admit that they are either selling something or requesting a donation, I always say "I never buy anything/give money over the phone, but thanks for calling." And then I hang up without another word. Nothing more needs to be said, and no one's feelings get hurt.
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 If it's a family member or friend, be polite, don't make stupid excuses. Just say - "Anyway I must go now, nice to hear from you."
If sales people annoy you, be creative instead of getting mad. They have lots of people being rude - it's not their fault. Make them laugh.
"I must go, my fish is having a nervous breakdown, sorry, bye!".
Or if you want to be evil, say yes to every question or say "uh-huh" now and then until they eventually hang up!