Why are people so rude to telemarketers?

Question

I am a telemarketer. So, if people DON'T like us, then why do you have to go and make it even MORE frustrating on yourselves? For example, when calling, you could at LEAST pick up the phone and say 'hello". When you pick up the phone and say NOTHING, well..guess what? we gotta call you back. When we call, and you so rudely interrupt us and cut us off, say "not interested" and hang up..well, guess what? We didn't tell you our reason for caling, so we gotta call you back. When you say "put me on the do not call list" and then hang up without letting us verify your number, guess what? We CALL YOU BACK!! So, why can't people just let us do our little spiel, let us FINISH, say you're not interested, let us say "thank you for your time" and hang up? Is it really that hard?

And it's not that I lack education to get a "real job" as you say, or ASSUME.... I'm actually a full time college student, and this job works with my school schedule. Let me ask it another way, would you be rude like that if it was say your neice or nephew or godchild who was that telemarketer calling you?

Ok, maybe those things apply to people selling stuff that's expensive and that you really DON'T need. But, what I do, is I call people who just moved into a neighborhood and ask them if they want to subscribe to the newspaper. The whole pitch takes less than 2 minutes, and I STILL get people who are extremely rude. If they say no, then I simply say "thank you for your time" and hang up. We don't give rebuttals, BUT..it's so ingrained in everyone's mind that telemarketers are evil people who won't take no for an answer that sometimes it will take me nearly 8 hours to sell ONE subscription, plus the offer really isn't bad. You get the newspaper (a very popular paper I might add) for half price. But..no one ever wants to hear it, plus, we never ask for money over the phone. Also, for the people asking why we have to verify your number...we don't see your phone number. It's in a computer system that automatically dials, THAT'S why we have to verify that the numbers match.

Answer 1

If I want services from a person or organization, I must learn what hours are convenient for them, and then usually make an appointment well in advance. Often times, I have to actually prove myself before I can make an appointment. In the business world, if I walked up to someone on their lunch break, and started pushing them to "buy, buy, buy" with a pre-set canned description of reasons they want my product; I would be tossed out on my butt and told never to come back. My work time is precious- my down time is even more so. If you want my time, make an appointment with me. Or when you call at least ask me if it is a good time. Or listen to me when I say, "I do not disclose personal or financial information over the telephone". It's called a mixture of common sense mixed with professional courtesy. Sorry to say, you people do not have it. I am usually pretty polite the first time someone calls, but by the third or fourth call in a row, I've had it. Especially after I've worked a 14 hour day, and am trying to make dinner and catch up with the poeple I really want to talk to. If I want services, I will solicit them myself.

Even better- I not only get my telemarketers, but those for the people who had the number before I did. I have been called for over a year and a half by creditors, telemarketers, and real estate agents- none of seem to understand what, "I do not know that person, and s/he does not live here", means, because they keep calling back.

Interesting, too, that telemarketers never want to show you anything in writing- they want you to buy, sight unseen, knowing nothing but their fast-talked sales pitch. I don't buy or believe anything else without researching it first- why on Earth would I make an exception for you?

There have got to be better things you can do with yourself. Even worse, the plethora of calls we all receive make us that much less willing to donate to the legitimate charities that might benefit the community we live in. I find your job offensive on all levels, so don't be surprised if I act offended when you call me, unsolicited.

Answer 2

I think everyone covered it fairly well but I will add a couple of things. If you don't want people being rude to you then you need to find another job and I have a family member that took a job as a telemarketer and I told her not to call me. I get on average about 3-5 calls per day at work from telemarketers. I usually wait for the "spiel" to end before I say that I'm not interested only because I can't get a word in before but most of the time the telemarketer doesn't end it there. They keep going. Then I get rude so most telemarketers bring it on themselves. A couple of weeks ago I received a call and it sounded interesting so I asked the person to send me some info. by mail because I don't give out personal and financial info. over the phone. They said OK and I haven't received anything yet so that tells me that they weren't legit.

Answer 3

What most people just don't seem to understand is that there is another person on the other side of the line. I am a high school student and have worked a telemarketing job for statefarm for the last three summers, and if there is one thing that I have learned, people are rude. And I'm not just talking about the civilians. I have seem my co workers be smart asses, and purposely call the same person over and over again. On the other hand, many of the people we call are absolutely awful. They can be rude and horrible. But you need to understand at your job, these people have lives of their own and do not want to be bothered constantly. And if you are getting a call from a telemarketer, have some common decency. We are regular people just like you simply trying to make a living.

Answer 4

Hello telemarket guy. Through my own experiences, the problem is that the telemarketers NEVER take no for an answer. So i propse the question to you, Why dont telemarketers take the FIRST no for an answer? I dont know how many times they call - at the crappiest of times (like at 6:00) when we are having a quiet tea as a family and i listen to their ramples then i say no. Then they go on and are rude to try and sell the product then i say no. Then they try a different angle, then i say no. Again and again and again and again. I answer the phone cause i pay for it, and my parents-in-law are old and sick. I have a right to say no, and if you were decent you'd accept that first no as your answer. Now im all worked up. Thank you.

Answer 5

The idea of telemarketing is very intrusive. Many people are quick to be rude because of how many companies have their name and number. I have a friend who is very polite and asks them to remove the number from the list and she still receives At Least four calls a day from a service.

It would not be bad if the rate of calls were decreased or if they were limited to certain time of day. I, personally, make an effort to be as nice as possible, but my father finds it obscene that they would call his house before 9 am, around dinner time, or after 9 pm. This is because These are the hours that he avoids operating the phone. He often turns of the ringer because they also happen to be the times where we receive a high volume of calls from telemarketers.

So, In short, people do not like having their routine interrupted and feel overwhelmed. Don't blame it on yourself or become angry with the public. Just remind yourself that you are in a stressful position and try to be as kind as possible to those who won't take the time to do so for you.

--JC

Answer 6

People are rude to telemarketers because most telemarketers cannot take a "no" for an answer. And you keep calling and calling and calling and calling and calling even after we tell you "no." That is why. Get the hint.

Answer 7

Did you know that you--PERSONALLY--can now be held liable for calling people against their will? If someone is on the national do not call list, and you call them anyway, you personally can be sued and be forced to pay money to the people you called. There was a recent article in the news about that very thing.

And that is a good thing. I pay for my telephone. Why should you be permitted to use it, by calling me, and trying to sell me something? It's my property, that I pay for, for MY convenience and the convenience of the friends and family members that I give the number to.

Do you know my schedule? Do you know if I work during the night, so I have to sleep during the day? How do you know I'm not sick? What if I just lost a dear family member? What makes you think that it is in any way appropriate for you to call strangers like that?

My best friend used to work nights. She tried sleeping during the day, but was often frustrated to the point of tears because EVERY DAY telemarketers would call and wake her up. She couldn't take the phone off the hook, because she had a young child in school. She had to be reachable in case the child got sick and the school needed to contact her.

She became terribly sleep deprived. Finally, she had to buy a cell phone, which meant she had another bill to pay. She's a single mother, and her ex is a deadbeat dad. She could hardly afford another bill, but it was to the point that it was affecting her health.

Still think you have a "right" to invade my home and try to sell me your crap?

Wrong.

Answer 8

I'm sorry, but I really think telemarketers are rude for calling people in the first place.

Answer 9

i believe that people are rude to telemarketers because they can at times, be annoying. For example, they will drone on for about 5 minutes about who they are and why they're calling. If people are not interested, they ignore and usually say, "oh but its just this", or "oh but its just that" and, "i think you should try our product first". this is somewhat annoying and also.

another factor is that telemarketers cannot be trusted sometimes, as they will trick you into giving personal information.
i am not saying all telemarketers are crooks, but you can't always believe what you hear.

Answer 10

Why you ask??????? Because "you people" usually call during dinner when I am trying to spend time with my family, when my kid has just scrapped his knee and is crying or I am trying to change a diaper of a screaming infant. You call at the most inconvenient times, (which I know is intentional as my friend spent 3 days a telemarketer) as they are times when people are typically home. I prefer not to give up my FAMILY time to listen to your spiel about carpet cleaning/mortgage plans/life insurance and no I am not interested in selling my home. If I want any of these products, I know where to find them. I do politely say "Sorry, I am not interested", but if you do call back, I WILL rip you a new one like you have never ben ripped a new one before!!! It is not my fault you have not pursued higher education and have the worst job in the history of the world - yes even worse than used car salesman. Go back to school so you don't have to be a whinny baby "why are people so rude, whaaaaa!!!". Suck it up princess!!!!


***My niece/nephew/godchild would never take a degrading job like that!! My you're a whiny one!***