What is your favorite way to "get back" at telemarketers?
@theryansurvey (27)
United States
January 11, 2008 1:15am CST
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy receiving telemarketing calls. Let me tell you why:
First, I answer the phone normally although my caller ID lets me know it's a telemarketer. Second, I will do a quick google search for "Chris Hansen soundboard" on Google while talking and hearing what they have to say. When it's my turn to speak, i'll put my phone on speakerphone and place it next to my computer speakers. This is where the fun begins. The Chris Hansen soundboard contains brief sound clips from the beloved show "To Catch A Predator..." Needless to say the telemarketers are a bit confused when they hear Mr. Hansen reading a chat log that sounds something like, "will you let me lick ice cream off you?"
Let's hear your favorite strategies to have a little go at the telemarketers!
5 people like this
10 responses
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I am usually just a polite as possible and just say I am not interested but thanks for calling, they are just trying to earn a living.
My brother who is good at imitating voices and accents will sometimes play around with the telemarketers though, plus he and my dad's first names are the same and that can cause some interesting confusion for the telemarketers.
1 person likes this
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
16 Jan 08
"play around with the telemarketers"
I know they are doing their job, and I feel bad about hanging up on them, but I don't feel bad about speaking Spanish in a rapid voice and then screaming and throwing the phone down. Makes them wonder what I just said and I die laughing when I mute the phone and I hear someone going "WTF?"
1 person likes this
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
28 Jan 08
i think thats hilarious i will have to try that one.i usally ask them to hang on for a minute and put the phone down and leave it down for about 10 minutes.they usually don't wait that long and i can hear them saying are you there.then i just hang up.cheers sue
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
17 Jan 08
hahahah this is hillarious
It gives me an idea. I'm going to play with them
Laughter is good for health anyway
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I find no entertainment at the expense of another this way. What is there to get back at them for? they are trying to make wages like most of us are. I do not however wish to purchase anything from telemarketing methods as I do not trust an unknown company, especially when they initiated the call.. I generally just say we are not interested in purchasing anything over the phone, but thank you for your time, and hang up the phone prior to them having an opportunity to try and convince me otherwise.
there is no need to be hostile to others it just perpetuates bitter feeligns. let us try to treat others with a bit of dignity.
@jellyjam74 (205)
• Canada
11 Mar 08
well said. it's just people trying to earn a living, and in this economy, i guess it's better than them being on social assistance and you other people having to fund their way.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
11 Jan 08
Well, i think i won't ever do that to a telemarketer... because my sister works as one... and a lot of people in my country are employed by telemarketing company which is quiet good because the employment rate is done...
They are just doing their job... and if you don't want to buy anything from them... just tell them or if you know they are telemarketers then... just don't answer the phone...
@theryansurvey (27)
• United States
11 Jan 08
Oh i'm just having a jolly time with them. I'm not cursing them or yelling at them either. I'd even bet that it brings a little bit of change to their job which could be a little nice seeing how repetitive it can be. I'm not doing anybody harm, plus they called me first ;)
@nichole1983 (1187)
• Canada
11 Jan 08
Haha I will have to remember the chris hansen one. I have done stuff like that as well but have always used my own voice. Depending on what the call is and what its about I will go towards that.
@theryansurvey (27)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I enjoy the chris hansen one because I don't have to use my own voice. I think the hard part though is hiding the sound of my laughter. I know these people are just trying to work, but hey, if somebody is going to interrupt me at my house while I'm eating dinner, I have to be able to poke a little fun at them!
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
14 Mar 08
I ask them to give me their name and number so I can interrupt them during dinner :) Sometimes even a good one is if they ask for the lady of the house, I give the phone to my 6 year old daughter and I get her to tell them silly things... maybe its wrong but they should get a taste of their own medicine. They are calling to invade my privacy and waste my time. Let them experience what it feels like when their time is wasted.
@simplyman2006 (1706)
• India
13 Mar 08
hahahahahahaha. its great way to have fun with them i will also this same thing with them thanxs fot it.
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
18 Feb 08
I know this is an old discussion but I just thought I would let you guys in on a little irony I just had. I had just finished reading this discussion and guess who called me? A telemarketer. lol!
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I either don't answer or I tell them no thanks and hang up. After all, they're just doing their jobs. The only time I get annoyed enough to start playing games is when they call back over and over again after being told no.
