Why are people so nasty to telemarketers?

Question

So I took this PT job as a telemarketer, and when you start the job they tell you that you should not work there if you can't take rejection constanly. I can take rejection, what I can't take is people being mean, hanging up so hard it hurts my ear, screaming, cussing, I have people that try to make fun of my voice, you name it I've probably heard it. After reading a couple of answers on Y!A I could not believe people actually think it's fun to do things like that. I (and I'm talking about me and only me), I don't like to bother people a lot if they say no to me once and tell me they are not interested, that's it, I say thanks and have a good day. Why do people think it's okay to just be rude before even hearing a word from the telemarketer? I know, I should get another job ASAP.

I meant constantly...

I totally understand when people tell me you know I'm in the middle of dinner,
I just got home from work, I have no time to talk, etc...
When people tell me all those things I usually say I'm so sorry and thanks.
I mean I'm not slow or anything. I've been on the other side of the phone too,
so I know how telemarketers can be, but I only get nasty if they don't get the
point, not before anything is said. I actually like it when people just hang up
because it's nicer than pressing the number keys until I hang up, or telling me
to hang on and then drop the phone or hang up.

I forgot to say I also get really nice people who wish me luck, but not as many though lol

Thanks everyone for answering, some of you really helped me =)

To pkybrlvr: Hun, I'm so so so very sorry you went through hell getting rid of "us people" but just in case you did not know there's something called a DO NOT CALL LIST. Here's the website so you can get your phone back.

https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

Answer 1

People are rude because telemarketers have a bad rep. I'm not saying the rudeness is okay, it's just what they feel they have to do. Unfortunately, TMs are known for calling at the wrong time, constantly calling, pressuring, etc. It's very uncomfortable. You may be one of the exceptions, so I'm sorry you experience what you do. I also think that people take it to another level and vent to TMs because it's their way of releasing their stress to strangers - it's easy to do because it's on the phone.

Answer 2

I used to be a part-time telemarketer, and was expecting people to be mean to me. Amazingly, very few were! I did get a lot of polite rejections though.

I think it was because I had the day shift, and because I always spoke with as much enthusiasm as I could muster (without sounding fake), and because I took non-verbal cues from the answerers voice on whether to tone it down or up.

If they sounded interested I kept the same enthusiasm or toned it up a fraction. If they sounded bored, I toned it down and took on a more natural/conversational tone.

Unfortunately I didn't make the required 10 sales in a week, and so I had to be let go. I did better than many though. At least I got enough sales to make it past the 3 day paid trial. I lasted 9 days in total.

Telemarketing is a horrible job. The people working there know they are bothering people and aren't really helping society, people are mean to them, and there is a lot of pressure to make the sale. But when you are desperate for work, you take what you can get.

Keep looking for a different job. It's easier to get a job when you already have one.

Answer 3

After being out in the world all day, people see the telemarketer as intruding on their private space and family time. I don't get too many telemarketing calls, but some people are deluged with them. It's no wonder that they get short on patience. What was once a simple decision like phone service has become much more complicated. Personally, I like to take my time in making a decision, and not be pressured by the person on the other end of the phone to commit to something that I haven't seen in writing.
I've done the job myself and lasted about 2 and a half years. It was an experience.

Answer 4

People are rude because of the constant barrage of phone calls from telemarketers. We get so many at work and it is such a waste of time. Some that call are sneaky, pretending to be the company that handles our office supplies, (we buy our own) saying they are "updating their records" and they will send us an "updated" copy (along with a bill!) I've been polite to some, I'll say "I'm sorry, what company are you with?" and then they hang up on ME! And now, some calls are automated "please hold, a representative will be on the line in a moment..." And what's with getting calls on my cell phone? Those are MY minutes that are wasted by just answering the call!
If I am in the market for some product, I'll search out the business myself. Telemarketing should be against the law.

Answer 5

I think it is because 99% of the time they start the conversation with a 45-word speil without letting you get a word in. They call at the worst of times too. I try not to be rude to them. When they are selling something I tell them it was nice of them to call me at home and I might be interested in their product or service if they would give me their home number in case I have a problem so I can call them at home. Unfortunately they always decline or simply hang up. And you are probably right, you should take another job, I don't think I could take a job like that without being the rudest telemarketer on earth. Good luck.

Answer 6

I would beg you to immediately get another job before you start taking it personally.

You're obviously intelligent and well-spoken. There are plenty of inbound, flexible, part-time jobs where the people you're talking to want to talk to you -- they called you! Banks, airlines, you name it.

Telemarketers are intrusive. As polite as you may be when I say "no, thanks." you've already irritated me the minute I saw the "out-of-state" or "blocked" identity come up on the phone. And if you'll graciously take "no" for an answer, you're in a very small minority, my friend.

We've been trained like pavlovian dogs to get excited at the phone ringing. We perk up, our heart beats a little faster. Someone's reaching out to us!

And then the big letdown. The telemarketer who knows us only as Mr. or Mrs. Mispronounce-My-Name who didn't call us (a machine did) not because they have a relationship with us, but because they want to sell us something we probably have no need for. Earlier in my life I responded to two or three telemarketers offers and was disappointed and felt ripped off every time.

Why specifically are they so rude? They're jerkholes too stupid to have figured out how to get on the federal do-not-call list and too dumb to know that if they simply ask you to never call them again and you do that they can sue you in court for a nice amount of pocket change for each additional call. Not to mention you can also report them to the FTC and fines can be levied against them.

And they do it because no one's watching them. They don't think anyone else will know. They also stiff waitstaff at restaurants and cut you off in traffic.

(I discovered years ago that every telemarketers call had three questions and then 10-20 minutes of script that didn't require you to say anything. I was getting at least one call a night. I figured that I could save some other people misery by keeping them on the line as long as possible. So I'd answer the three questions and then set the phone down. After 10 or 15 minutes, I'd pick it back up and hear them saying "Hello? Hello?" When I didn't respond, they'd complete their pitch, thanking the dead air for its time and reading off a 1-800 number that could be called for more information. I've since decided that's not really polite. I'm on the do-not-call so I don't get calls, except charities and politicians. I say "No, thank you." to every single call without exception. If they keep talking I politely inform them that I'm now hanging up the phone and then I do.)

So please find another line of work and don't be one of "them."

Answer 7

I feel bad now. I do get upset with people that answer the phone for a job. I call a company and get a voice mail. I get put on hold for an hour. I get 'press one' 'press six' and then you get someone and they tell you taht you have the wrong place and tranfer you.. you get put on hold, to have finally get an voice mail 45 mintues later. Used to be you could just call and talk to someone. Also I call and peopel with accents answer. it is not their fault, but in my own countyr I call for help and get someone I can't understand (I am not predudice, I have friends from all over the world), but i can't be helped by someone I don't understand. Also they ask you securtiy questions. I knwo it is in my best interest, but it is annoying, I just want help and get it quick.. that is customer service. Also if I am upset, I wil snap at them more. Some of them dont' knwo their job. They will tell you all sorts of things to 'help' that dont' make sense. So you hang up and call again, get another operator that is a tremendous help and helps you quickly.. That is when I am nicer and have a better attitude. It is not your fault. The whole system is frustrating

Answer 8

Most people are rude, plain and simple. I'm still shocked at the lack of manners people have and I totally understand what you mean. I would say you are probably too cerebral for the types of people you encounter on the phone. Just imagine how angry you would be with a double digit IQ...

I have encountered the same type of nastiness in other business situations, so don't think that you can get away from the jerks by switching jobs. Those same jerks might end up being your new coworkers or better yet your boss.

Chalk it up to human nature; people suck and rude people are everywhere. They also give birth to horrible children to ensure that the cycle of ignorance and nastiness never dies.

Keep you chin up! Keep dialing and smiling, my dear.

Answer 9

Because telemarketers, as a rule, are rude! I don't know about your company but many companies try to call during dinner time, because they know people are home then -well, I consider that rude, I wouldn't EVER call my best friend or family when I expected them to sit down for dinner! Nor would I accept it from anyone, telemarketer or best friend, if they tried to call me at such times unless it was a real emergency!

Answer 10

I got rid of my home phone because I couldn't get you people to leave me alone. We just don't want to be bothered for things we really have absolutely no interest in. Sorry, it just really does piss me off when someone calls my APARTMENT while I'm trying to sit down and have dinner to ask if I'm a homeowner and would I like new siding or vinyl windows. I'm not usually rude...what I usually do when they ask if I'm there, is say "Wait, I'll go get her," then leave the phone down on the counter and go about my business while the telemarketer sits waiting patiently on the line. For a very long time. I enjoy that.

Try working somewhere you are providing a service people actually want.