Telemarketing Trick

Gemini Cricket · 03-02-2005, 07:51 PM

blueerica's thread made me think about this trick:

I forget where I read this but here's a good way to get back at those telemarketing companies.

You get a call. It's clearly a telemarketer. If they know someone in the house by name and you're positive it's no one you know, tell them to hold on and you'll get whomever they're looking for. Then put the phone down and go about your business. They'll wait and wait. This waiting costs their company money. Make 'em pay.

Sometimes they'll start with a long spiel and won't let you talk. If they do, just put the phone down on the counter and walk away.

I've done this several times and they do eventually hang up, but those minutes add up, baby!

It's evil yet fun for the whole family.

blueerica · 03-02-2005, 07:54 PM

I'll have to actually try that..

I hate those dialers that dial like 5 numbers, and they talk to the first one. If you're not that one, you get a dial tone when you pick up the phone, so in either case, it's totally annoying...

wendybeth · 03-02-2005, 07:55 PM

I like the way you think, GC.

Tramspotter · 03-02-2005, 08:08 PM

I've done much worse and there's a crank call duo who almost exclusively get back at them called telemarketer revenge something or other...

I'll elaborate and add link if I remember (on my PDA and at work so can't ATM)

Gemini Cricket · 03-02-2005, 08:20 PM

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the person who told me about this trick was HBTiggerFan from MP.
I could be wrong.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-02-2005, 09:11 PM

Caller ID, haven't talked to one in a while.

CoasterMatt · 03-02-2005, 09:53 PM

hehehe... I used to run a dialer for a major telemarketer (there's all SORTS of fun ways to get back at them)

Jazzman · 03-02-2005, 09:57 PM

I'll have to try that one. The only thing I've ever done was on a particular day when I was bored and decided to have some fun with a guy who called selling siding. (Classic on two fronts. 1. Don't all salesmen seem to sell siding? And 2. I lived in an apartment. Good background checking, big guy.) I acted really interested, asked detailed questions; kept him busy for almost an hour. Then, I said, "Cool! Well, that all sounds good. Why don't you sign me up for..." and unplugged the phone, for the rest of the day. I'm sure he called back again and again, and I admit that it was a kind of a dick thing to do, but it felt good.

mhrc4 · 03-02-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

blueerica's thread made me think about this trick:

I forget where I read this but here's a good way to get back at those telemarketing companies.

http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/...8&postcount=16

Gemini Cricket · 03-02-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhrc4

http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/...8&postcount=16

D'oh!

03-02-2005, 07:51 PM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Telemarketing Trick blueerica's thread made me think about this trick: I forget where I read this but here's a good way to get back at those telemarketing companies. You get a call. It's clearly a telemarketer. If they know someone in the house by name and you're positive it's no one you know, tell them to hold on and you'll get whomever they're looking for. Then put the phone down and go about your business. They'll wait and wait. This waiting costs their company money. Make 'em pay. Sometimes they'll start with a long spiel and won't let you talk. If they do, just put the phone down on the counter and walk away. I've done this several times and they do eventually hang up, but those minutes add up, baby! It's evil yet fun for the whole family.
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03-02-2005, 07:54 PM	#2
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	I'll have to actually try that.. I hate those dialers that dial like 5 numbers, and they talk to the first one. If you're not that one, you get a dial tone when you pick up the phone, so in either case, it's totally annoying... __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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03-02-2005, 07:55 PM	#3
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I like the way you think, GC. __________________
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03-02-2005, 08:08 PM	#4
Tramspotter Show me on the bear. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LA Posts: 445	I've done much worse and there's a crank call duo who almost exclusively get back at them called telemarketer revenge something or other... I'll elaborate and add link if I remember (on my PDA and at work so can't ATM)
	Submit to Quotes

03-02-2005, 08:20 PM	#5
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	If I'm not mistaken, I believe the person who told me about this trick was HBTiggerFan from MP. I could be wrong.
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03-02-2005, 09:11 PM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Caller ID, haven't talked to one in a while. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-02-2005, 09:53 PM	#7
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	hehehe... I used to run a dialer for a major telemarketer (there's all SORTS of fun ways to get back at them) __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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03-02-2005, 09:57 PM	#8
Jazzman Sax God Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland's Tijuana Posts: 510	I'll have to try that one. The only thing I've ever done was on a particular day when I was bored and decided to have some fun with a guy who called selling siding. (Classic on two fronts. 1. Don't all salesmen seem to sell siding? And 2. I lived in an apartment. Good background checking, big guy.) I acted really interested, asked detailed questions; kept him busy for almost an hour. Then, I said, "Cool! Well, that all sounds good. Why don't you sign me up for..." and unplugged the phone, for the rest of the day. I'm sure he called back again and again, and I admit that it was a kind of a dick thing to do, but it felt good.
	Submit to Quotes