How to Annoy Telemarketers

Answering machine phone

They call at inconvenient hours. Sometimes they even call when we are trying to sleep. These are just two of the reasons why most people will agree that telemarketers are annoying. Yes, they are just doing their job. Most of us understand this. But sometimes we become so irritated by them and by the exact moment they call that we wish we could annoy them in return.

Instructions

1. Refuse to take their call. In this modern day world of technology this is easy to do; just allow the phone call to go to your voice mail, answering machine or just simply allow it to ring. Of course, you must first realize that it is a telemarketer calling. This would mean that you have caller ID on your phone. Most calls coming from a telemarketer will show a 1-800 number, a 1-866 number or an out of state number you do not recognize.

2. Allow a small child who loves to talk on the phone to answer the call. Be sure to monitor the call. Most small children love to talk on the phone and will talk endlessly.

3. Answer the question how are you today, with the truth. Tell them about the fight you may have had with your husband or that headache that won't go away, in detail. Don't allow them time to talk.

4. Pretend that you know the person. For example, if the telemarketer states that her name is Brenda, say something like: "Brenda, where have you been hiding? I have been trying to call you for ages." Then when she tries to sell her product or service to you, act surprised and offended that she would sell to a friend.

5. Answer the call and state you are currently busy. Then ask for his home number and tell him that you will call him back later. When you are told that hee isn't allowed to give out that information. You can ask why. Then ask if it is considered an invasion of his privacy. If he answers yes, then ask why this call isn't considered an invasion of yours. Now hang up the phone.

6. Answer the telemarketers questions with a question, as if you do not understand anything he is asking. You may sound stupid. But eventually the telemarketer will give up and hang up the phone.

7. Answer any loan offer questions with the simple answer that you could use some money. Then state that you just currently filed bankruptcy. More than likely, you will be taken off of their sales list.

8. Tell them that your phone number is on the Do Not Call Registry List. You should then state that if they call you again, you will file a complaint against them. The Do Not Call Registry List gives you a choice whether you want telemarketers to call you. They have a convenient website (donotcall.gov) to make it simple for consumers to add their names to the list.

Tips & Warnings

• Be calm and patient when talking to a telemarketer.

• Remember when you can't get a telemarketer to understand the word no, you can always simply hang up on her.

• It may sound fun to play loud music or ring a whistle into the ear of a telemarketer, but remember they may call back, when you least expect it and do the same thing to you.

Resources

• Do not call list