What's wrong with hanging up on telemarketers?

[elsporko]

I realize that. I just don't agree with it. You don't have a right to free speech on my private property.

I'm pretty sure they aren't on your property and you have the right as the property owner to not listen to them.

[Fryk]

Yeah, MadMike, but technically, why wouldn't "You should buy my product, it costs $X," be free speech?

[powerboy]

I agree. There is nothing wrong with hanging up on them.

[phantasy]

I work in a call center like that. While I'm not a telemarketer, (I'm customer service) I still understand the frustration that we inflict.

Our telemarkers actually call you to remind you that you're up for a refill of your script, and ask if you want to reorder. Only problem is that

1.) We dont have a 'Do Not Call' list. Most callers will make a note that 'customer doesn't want phone calls' on your account, but still some customers continu to get called.

2.) I have not seen anything in our company that says that it follows the laws of the national Do Not Call list. I think it's because we are exempt from it, but I'm not sure.

3.) Our callers are trained to call twice if the first call isn't answered. The second call if to leave a voicemail for the customer. So if you just hang up without saying "I'm not interested" or "f*** you" or something to let us know that you're a real person, then you may recieve another call right after it.

4.) Our callers work on commision. They are also located in very oor areas, most of whom doesn't speak English very well. So they are VERY pushy. They will continue to call.

I've tried to get this to stop. However, the owners of the company only have dollar signs for eyeballs, and push the callers to be pushy. In my opinion, our customers will order from us more if we dont harrass them over the phone, and let them do their thing online. (We are, in essence, an ONLINE company)

To ease some minds out there: We don't steal information from other companies, or randomly get numbers from phonebooks or something. Once you've ordered from our site, THEN and only then do we have your information.

When I get a telemarketer on my own phone, I just say "I'm not interested. Please take this number off your list" and it's done.

As a telemarketer, I used to take hang-ups and "stop f***ing calling my f***ing phone!" very personally but I try to remember that it's just becuase you don't want a phone call, and I understand. I also tried to be very understanding of time zones. I wouldn't call before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m. although law permits "between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m."

[MadMike]

I'm pretty sure they aren't on your property and you have the right as the property owner to not listen to them.

They're calling my phone, which is on my property, and they're interfering with my right not to listen to them.

Yeah, MadMike, but technically, why wouldn't "You should buy my product, it costs $X," be free speech?

On public property, it very well may be. But on my private property, they have no right to free speech.

2.) I have not seen anything in our company that says that it follows the laws of the national Do Not Call list. I think it's because we are exempt from it, but I'm not sure.

If the people you are calling are your customers, you are exempt. It falls under an "existing business relationship."

[Boozy]

3.) Our callers are trained to call twice if the first call isn't answered. The second call if to leave a voicemail for the customer.

Ooh, that one's annoying.

I don't pay for an answering service just to have someone refuse to leave a message and instead call back several times.

I think a prescription reminder call would be a handy service, and I'd be pleased with any pharmacy that offered it. But I'd have to insist that they leave a message the first time, and leave it at that.

[Rageaholic]

Well it's official. For this day only, no telemarketers are safe. Anyone that dares call will be subjected to... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0&feature=fvsr

[MadMike]

That was just mean. Even telemarketers don't deserve that!

[blas87]

I'm starting to hate door to door people more. The fact that I refuse to answer the door and yet they know I'm here because there is a car parked in the spot that matches my apartment number shows it.

But still, that doesn't mean I have to answer because I'm home.

I'm investing in vampire teeth and fake blood for next time.

It's getting tiring rolling around and around while someone bangs on my door or rings my doorbell several times before giving up, then leaving some stupid leaflet or doorknob thingy anyway. I don't want to go to your Payday Loan store, just because these are apartments doesn't mean we are all broke and are going to your Title Loan store either. Fuck off and die please.

[Fryk]

Nah, Rage, I prefer this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHJCv...eature=related

[Pagan]

Actually, any NFP (not for profit) can participate in telemarketing and is exempt from the DNC list. For example, a NFP arts organization can call people selling tickets to their latest show. (I didn't say it was smart, just that it's legal.)

I think that's how one religious group here is getting around it. They've called me a few times. Not selling anything, but inviting me to worship. I tried calling them to ask them to stop, but nobody ever picks up and there's no answering service (which is amazing in itself).

Nah, Rage, I prefer this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHJCv...eature=related

That's one of those that's funny and you can't explain why.

Of course, 35 years on, and I still can't explain why this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C570byQCLpI about has me falling out of the chair laughing!

[Tanasi]

A little Revenge.

This is just plain funny.

[insertNameHere]

A little Revenge.

This is just plain funny.

I heard about that, lol gotta love screwing with telemarketers. they may be people but many have no souls.

[smileyeagle1021]

I don't pay for an answering service just to have someone refuse to leave a message and instead call back several times.

Oh please, can you print that up on a fancy sign and post it in EVERY deaf school in North America. I cannot stand deaf users who think they are doing anything other than waste their time by asking for endless redials... they don't understand that hearing people don't like hearing a ringing phone, so if they aren't answering, they either can't hear it or the dislike the thought of speaking to you enough to try to ignore the ringing.

Answering the original question though, it's sometimes wrong to hang up on telemarketers because not all of those telemarketers are telemarketers. I cannot count how many times I'm been hung up on by people who are too stupid to comprehend that every person reading a script isn't trying to sell something.

[blas87]

I have to agree with Boozy. Not just telemarketers, ANYONE who thinks calling me over and over is going to make me answer.

I hate the man, but my former roomate said it best. "I didn't answer the first time. Or the second. Why do people think I'm going to answer any time after that?"