After finally finding something to talk about for my dissertation (ongoing fiasco with that, urgh) and a decent way to write about it, the phone rang. Grrr. I considered not answering, but it might have been the boyfriend needing me to pick him up or something.
The following conversation ensued:
Me: Hello.
(Silence)
Me: *Prepares to hang up*
Man with heavy accent: Hello?
Me: Hello.
Man: Is this maddamaddablah?
Me: I'm sorry?
Man: Is this Mrs. Murphy I am speaking to?
Me: (Begin flat, bored tone) No. Wrong number.
Man: Can I speak to the owner of this number please, would that be you ma'am?
Me: Yeah.
Man: Hello ma'am my name is (pause) John. I am from blahblah company can I ask whether you use a mobile telephone at the moment.
Me: Yeah.
Man: Is it pay as you go or contract.
Me: Contract.
Man: How many months are left on your contract please ma'am.
Me: I just renewed it.
Man: Oh. Um. Does anyone in your family have a mobile phone?
Me: Yes. They're all happy with their services. Bye.
Man: Oh no worries bye.
(No question marks because he didn't make any of those questions actually sound like questions)
Normally I hang up on these people as soon as I hear the odd silence after I pick up, since I know it'll be one of these people trying to sell me stuff (they're on some automated system that seems to wait a while before telling the operator that the call's been answered). For some reason though I didn't. Meh. Anyway. Why is it that these people ALWAYS call when a) the number is ex-directory and listed on the TPS list (the UK equivalent of the Do Not Call list, I believe) and b) they have called 3985719835 times before and each time they have been hung up on or told that I AM NOT INTERESTED.
Corinne
20/03/2007 at 19:50
"Can you please take me off your list?" Just say that, and they can't call you back.
Well, at least that goes for most states in the U.S. They aren't allowed to call if you tell them not to call you back.
Good luck with the dissertation.
Amelie
20/03/2007 at 20:10
^ See that doesn't work here. I've already said that to them and they still call. They're not supposed to call if you're on the TPS list thing (which we are) yet they still do. It seems to only be two companies that call though... This mobile company and the phone company looking for the landlord (when we've repeatedly told them he doesn't live here). *Sigh*
Corinne
20/03/2007 at 21:34
Lol. Yea, I noticed.
Next time, ask the person for their home phone number. Tell them you want it so that you can call them while they are having dinner or doing something that's otherwise much more interesting than talking to a bunch of idiots.
Won't stop them, but I'm pretty sure their response will make you laugh.
Bubs
21/03/2007 at 2:57
I like to either yell at them or say something funny, such as: "Sorry I can't talk right now... I'm having sex with my boyfriend." LOL
Louise
21/03/2007 at 10:16
There are supposed to be laws against these things... I think... :( Anyway, I usually hang up if I get that silent pause. To me it seems like they're wasting their time... But surely they must be having some success even though everyone I know considers them pointless.
Malin
21/03/2007 at 17:04
It's a very common problem here in Sweden too. When I signed up for my first phone number I made it "secret" the very first I did. Some has come through it anyway though but I get way less calls like that than my parents...
Katy
22/03/2007 at 18:03
make sure to mention that you're on the TPS... usually that scares them off pretty quick, heh.
Hillarie
23/03/2007 at 0:11
I've said strange things to telemarketers.
"May I speak with your mother?" (telemarketer)
"May I speak with yours?" (me)
OR...
"I...like to survey...you family." (foreign telemarketer, no doubt)
"I...like...English" (hangs up)
Kelly
23/03/2007 at 12:09
I hate to admit it.. but I used to work for a telesales company. I'm a student and really really needed the money (please don't shoot me!).
Basically, there's a delay because they use a computer system (or two totally different ones to REALLY trip you out as at my old place of employment). It dials numbers, and when it connects, it transfers you to the next available telesales "representative". That's why there is a delay. If there is no one available, you just wait indefinitely. Stupid, I know.
Also, company's actually get fined (I believe it's GB £600) for everyone they ring that's on the TPS lists.. Sadly, companies get their lists illegally, or have old lists etc. If you tell them that you're on it, they're obligated by law to remove you.
Even if you're not on it, say you are (if you're in the UK) ;)
Josh(ua/y)
23/03/2007 at 23:30
I simply tell the somewhat annoying geezers that I'm not in. The TPS service probably just creates more bloody cold callers, the people probably pass your number on to the cold callers after registering.
Melissa
24/03/2007 at 8:50
Ugh, that's annoying! :( Lol, I love the pauses though, haha! XD
That "take me off your list" thing didn't work when this company plagued my cell phone last year. Seriously, I even started recognizing the number and I'd just answer and shout that phrase at them and hang up. The next day they'd call right back...for like a week. Thankfully they stopped.
I've always wanted to have a little fun with telemarketers though...if I had the guts I'd ask them silly questions just to play around. Maybe I will someday... XD
Have a great Saturday, Amelie! ^_^
Kelly
24/03/2007 at 10:18
@ Melissa: They won't take you off their list unless they have a legal obligation to do so.. You have to say you're on a Do Not Call list ("TPS" if you're in the UK) or they won't take you off ;)
Michele
25/03/2007 at 2:35
Oh my goodness, I just recently blogged about this. We always get the wrong phone number calls where the caller is looking for the taxi service. :(
We've been getting them since we got our phone, so it's been over a year now. I just recently found out the culprit is the lodging at the Air Force base I work at. They have our phone number listed for Miki Taxi in all of their guest rooms.