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Oh yeah...and...About twice a year, we get those calls from 'Microsoft'. Hello this is such and such from Microsoft, we are getting reports back to our computers that your Windows program has a virus could you please tell me what Windows program you use.Always South East Asian or Indian of accent. The last time they called I said to the guy, "You know I do not believe you right? Everyone knows this is a scam." And the guy spluttered for a second and said "f#ck off then. Thankyou." And hung up. It was pretty funny. :-)
A person I know when he gets them calls blows a very loud whistle down the phone. They really hang up quickly.
Hey that's a good idea. :-)
If one of your biggest concerns is telemarketers then it's pretty safe to say you live a charmed life. I much rather be inconvenienced by market call then say not have ready access to fresh water or living in a country that is currently being torn apart from civil war. Not to say your problems aren't extremely petty (I know hanging up on robo-calls or telemarketers must be extremely dificult!) but really?
I practice my skill at interpersonal abuse on those Microsoft calls. See, I am without skills in the field but I thought, here's a chance to acquire them, within my comfort zone, on the end of a phone, with a real fuel of hatred at the interruption.
I can hang up the minute I realize someone is trying to sell something. People who are kind and a little hard of hearing are not as fortunate. My mother-in-law fit that category. I have seen her answer a call and listen for five minutes and then say, "I couldn't hear you. We have a bad connection. What did you say your name was?" Precious memories are made in the strangest of ways.
hahaha!!! I'll have to remember that. :)
Linda wrote: "I can hang up the minute I realize someone is trying to sell something. People who are kind and a little hard of hearing are not as fortunate. My mother-in-law fit that category. I have seen her ..."Haha. Nice one. :-)
I always try and be fairly civil (unless they are trying to scam). I always say 'Thanks I am not interested, have a nice day.' :-)
George wrote: "If one of your biggest concerns is telemarketers then it's pretty safe to say you live a charmed life. I much rather be inconvenienced by market call then say not have ready access to fresh water o..."Who said telemarketers were one of our biggest concerns? Nobody said that. And not every conversation has to be about saving the world. People are allowed to to discuss telemarketers, the weather, the price of fuel etc etc without being called petty. Lighten up.
I try to be kind to telemarketers, since I worked as one in college. It's a pretty thankless job. So now I do as I always appreciated people doing to me: I break in politely but firmly and say, "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested." Although if the telemarketer in question keeps trying to sell you something after you say that, rather than taking the hint and saying "Thank you for your time," then they deserve a little rudeness.
That's what I always think when they call. What a job! To call people on a list all day and get yelled at, hung up on and snapped at. Some deserve it, but many are just trying to earn a wage. I especially feel sorry for the Indian callers. I always imagine how hard it is for them to find a job and to keep their large families fed etc...so I try to be respectful and 'thanks but no thanks' to them.
Marketers I hang up on, as soon as possible -- it interrupts my train of thought to bother to apologise. But the Microsoft scam is nasty and I feel calls for rudeness. Mind, I've only managed once to be rude, but I had a sense of achievement.
I often wonder how many people get done by that Microsoft scam. They tend to go area by area, phone book by phone book, and because my surname comes before my parents, whenever I get the Microsoft call I always ring my parents and warn them. They are not computer savvy and would be the type to not think about whether the call is a scam. They may just hand over details if they aren't on their toes. And sure enough, by the end of the day, they get the Microsoft/Windows caller.
That's why I resent them: a friend let them onto her computer. It might have been disastrous.
What happens when someone does that? Do they ask for access to the computer and go in remotely? The steal personal data/passwords etc?
Yes. They direct you to a website where you allow them remote control, under the guise of cleaning up your viruses. Then they sweep for data.
Oh my god. That is frightening. I can't even begin to imagine how screwed I'd be if I gave them remote access to my computer. Oh boy. *shudder* she must have had a terrible fright when she realised she'd been done.
And so I try my hardest to swear at them since. :( In truth, what I do is reason with the woman who starts the call: before she hands on to a man 'expert'. I ask her, do you know what you are employed in? I'm conscious she's a woman in India who needs a wage. Him -- the man expert -- is the one I blame. I send a message to him through her.
Good on you. Everytime one of those Windows people rings now I will think "Bryn has told you people. Did you not listen!"
I go for polite but firm with genuine sales people, but when they try and tell me I have a problem with my computer I ask them if their mother know's they make a living by defrauding people. Most hang up very quickly.
That's nice, Chris. "Does your mother know?" I might use it.
I always ask how they got my number since I'm on a "do not call" list that I registered for last year. They hang up quickly. Get very few calls.
For the Microsoft scam I counter a lie for a lie - I tell them I am a police officer. They're quick to hang up after that.I'm usually polite with telemarketers, but if they are repeat callers, then I just have a chat with the 'supervisor/Team Leader' and tell them that I'm of the mind to have them charged with harassment. That tends to do the trick, though not always.
What bothers me is when an institution I'm already connected to insists on always calling. It's like they need to assure themselves that I'm still doing business with them for the right reasons, or they take another stab at my wallet. Makes me all grrrrr-arghh
I try to be polite but firmly negative with tele marketers. But honestly, they've been trained to break down our natural reluctance to talk to them in order to sell us something, whether product or idea, so I don't let them even try. I remind myself that yes, it's just a [crummy] job they're doing, but they're intruding without invitation !! I am under no obligation to allow them access to my private home, time and sympathy, via phone. They are the rude ones.Even with charities, I inform them that I don't donate over the phone and invite them to mail me information. Besides, the callers may not represent a legitimate non-profit and even with the legitimate ones, the commercial fund raising companies keep too large a percentage of the money raised... sometimes as much as 90% according to figures I've read.
Yes, intruding without invitation is exactly what it is. I feel the same way about door knockers, including those from various churches.I also have caller id now. Sometimes, if the number looks suspicious or says 'private' I let it ring out and go to message bank. If it is someone I know, then they will leave a message on the message bank and I will check when I get a chance. If it is marketers or charities or scammers, they don't leave a message.
Since getting rid of the land line a few years ago I have had very few nuisance calls. Maybe one or two a year and I am very happy with that.I too confess to having done telemarketing for about a week back when I was trying to put myself through school. I soon realised that I was terrible at it and hated it.
Anne wrote: "Terri wrote: "Welcome to the over 100 club. :-)"100? My TBR list is just under 2000."
Do we need to run an intervention for you? :D
Terri wrote: "Oh yeah...and...About twice a year, we get those calls from 'Microsoft'. Hello this is such and such from Microsoft, we are getting reports back to our computers that your Windows program has a vi..."A friend of mine in Canada got one recently. She roundly abused him and threatened to pull his eyelashes out via his ass. I was charmed by the imagery.
I've always thought it would be fun to turn the tables on telemarketers by trying to sell them something or make a donation of some kind -- getting their credit card number and everything.If the person (who is likely a lowly-paid call center worker -- thus perhaps deserving of some small iota of sympathy, though only an iota) can't do it, then it would only make sense to ask for their supervisor and see if he or she would be interested in the amazing offer or very important charitable cause.
Turnabout is fair play...? ;)
PS. I've done the telemarketing thing...it's an awful job.
Margaret wrote: "Anne wrote100? My TBR list is just under 2000."
Do we need to run an intervention for you? :D"
Or nominate Anne for the Guinness book of records. :-)
Mine is over 400.
David Krae wrote: "I've always thought it would be fun to turn the tables on telemarketers by trying to sell them something or make a donation of some kind -- getting their credit card number and everything.If the ..."
Lol. Now there's an option that might be fun too.
David Krae wrote: "I've always thought it would be fun to turn the tables on telemarketers by trying to sell them something or make a donation of some kind -- getting their credit card number and everything.If the ..."
My husband actually tried that. He tried to sell a telemarketer some financial advice. it didn't amount to anything but the guy was biting.
I do try to be nice, after all, they are just people trying to get by in life. It's just when they don't stop that I just hang up.
I interupt them as soon as I realize that it is a telemarketer, then say 'I am sorry but I am not interested. I am on the do not call list. Please do not call me again. Have a nice day.' Then, I hang up. While I find saying crazy things to them, making noises, or turning the tables on them funny, they are working for their money instead of taking handouts. I have to give them some credit afterall, it must be a horrible job.
Believe it or not, telemarketers appreciate that kind of response. It's polite, and what's more it's quick: the irritating thing is when someone waits for you to go through your entire spiel before saying "Sorry, I'm not interested." Or worse yet, being nasty. Cut a telemarketer off quickly and politely, even if you have to interrupt - they will, if they are any good, thank you and hang up fast and go on to the next name. If they continue trying to give you the hard sell after you have given the polite "no" though -- no mercy. :D
The telemarketers I am used to over here, most get snappy if you tell them "sorry I am not interested, thankyou" . They start out all sweet and nice and as soon as you say 'no thanks' they hang up or become rude. Especially the charity ones. The charity callers treat you like you don't care about the blind/impaired/police youth programs/rural fire service/ambulance etc..etc... when you say no thanks.It is impossible to give to every charity. I already donate to some charities in person when I can and I will never donate money over the phone. That is just never going to happen.
We have a do not call list here in the US. and for me it has been quite successful. I get very few telemarketer calls, and the majority that I do get are Medicare related. I cut in fast too and say I am not interested-Thank you. and hang up!
You know, the recommendations on here are deeply strange. The sole suggestion in my "True Crime" section? An Angel TV series tie-in novel. I'm starting to wonder exactly what constitutes true crime to GoodReads. :p
Margaret wrote: "You know, the recommendations on here are deeply strange. The sole suggestion in my "True Crime" section? An Angel TV series tie-in novel. I'm starting to wonder exactly what constitutes true cr..."That's an odd one!
I usually get good recommendations. Every noe and then they slip in an odd one with me too. Like Urban Fantasy with history non fic.
Terri wrote: "Margaret wrote: "You know, the recommendations on here are deeply strange. The sole suggestion in my "True Crime" section? An Angel TV series tie-in novel. I'm starting to wonder exactly what co..."I think the oddest one was the recommendation for a book on the history of the city of Alexandria...based on the fact I'd just read a book on the history of swearing! Still can't see the link. :p
That's pretty funny! :D
Margaret wrote: "I think the oddest one was the recommendation for a book on the history of the city of Alexandria...based on the fact I'd just read a book on the history of swearing!"Filthy mouths, those Alexandrians. Renowned through the ancient world for their library of bad language.
Margaret wrote: "Terri wrote: "Margaret wrote: "You know, the recommendations on here are deeply strange. The sole suggestion in my "True Crime" section? An Angel TV series tie-in novel. I'm starting to wonder e..."Maybe the people of Alexandria have been great innovators in the realm of swearing over the centuries?
Here's my random thought for the day...I was watching a tv show last night and they showed this video clip of the band Journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LatorN...
Ever since I have been thinking about the 80's and wondering...what were we thinking!!? The cheesiness, the intensity....how could we not look at these video clips and run away. Instead, we emulate the hairstyles and clothes and think the guys were being hot.
For the record...I was never into Journey. I was a kid in the 80's and so more into Madonna and Duran Duran and Aha. I was 'wearing my sunglasses at night' not bopping out to Journey. :-)
...end random thought...
I think Chris has something there.
Chris F wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Terri wrote: "Margaret wrote: "You know, the recommendations on here are deeply strange. The sole suggestion in my "True Crime" section? An Angel TV series tie-in novel. I'm sta..."Hmmm. This is an interesting concept and one that needs great thought, and maybe much research.
When I saw you put Journey in there Terri I was thinking weren't they quite good, so I checked out the clips and no they weren't. Foreigner and Toto on the other hand, those were real bands! Power pop rules, but only in the minds of ageing rockers.
You can have your Foreigner, Toto. :-) I was never a fan either. Although I did like that one song of Toto's...the Africa one. I also wasn't a fan of Air Supply. :-) I'd put them in that category with Foreigner and Journey.
Terri wrote: "You can have your Foreigner, Toto. :-) I was never a fan either. Although I did like that one song of Toto's...the Africa one. I also wasn't a fan of Air Supply. :-) I'd put them in that category ..."I wasn't a fan of 80's music full stop. :p
There is some I still remember fondly and listen to from time to time. Some great Punk sounds came out of the 80's.
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We are also on the do not call register, but there are tricks with that. Charities can still call people on the do not call register and we get plenty of those calling.
The other annoying one is, if you enter a comp or sign up for certain things (like store rewards cards) in the small print it says that you agree to receive marketing calls from their partners. We don't get a lot of those calls but we get some from time to time.
Well done on making a stand and getting a pay out, Marilee. When i was first on the do not call register (and not signed up to anything that permitted marketers to call me) we still had people from Indian call centres ringing us and they are hard to track. I did threaten them with it though. Said I was on the do not call register and they should not be calling me or they will get fined. And they would always be surprised. Not knowing what I ma talking about.
The register has been going enough years now that they do know when they call, but back then they didn't have a clue that what they were doing was illegal.