While I respect the right of a telemarketer?

Question

to make a living, I really resent getting the following question after I have politely said "No, thank you":

Could I speak with your husband about the matter?

I get so irate that I can't even come up with something witty to say before hanging up. So help me out, folks. How can I answer that question?

Where I live we don't have a "do not call" list or caller ID (yet).

Answer 1

Say, "Which one?"

Answer 2

Youre right, the person who is *actually* on the phone is just trying to earn an honest living.

However, telemarketing companies and the people who run them aren't doing anybody any good except themselves. They are selling a largely unnecessary and useless product, taking advantage of the gullibility and trust of others in order to make money, and wasting the time and money of hundreds of thousands of people everyday. They are not filling a needed niche, not helping others, not providing a valuable service, and not improving society in general. I think the world would, for the most part, be a better place if these companies and their executives simply dropped off the face of the earth.

The good news is that you can sign your name and number on the "National No Call List"
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
or, 1-888-382-1222....
Once you are on this list, in general, it is a federal crime to make unsolicited phone calls to your number. You should show up on the list after about 20 -30 days. If you are still getting problem calls after 30 days, you can call the same number to file a complaint. It is already illegal to use automated dialers to call *any* cell phone number.

In the mean time, You may have to excersize the dying art of being polite and respectful, yet assertive. If you get asked such a question again, you can be honest and say something like this.

"Sir/Ma'am, I understand that you are just trying to do your job, and I understand that you are probably asking as a matter of policy......But I consider the implication that my husband would deliberately second-guess my judgement, to be rude, offensive, and totally inappropriate.....Do you understand why I would consider it inappropriate?.......I think it is a very bad policy to be purposefully rude to potential customers, good day to to you......"

Best of luck,
~Donkey Hotei

P.S: If you are really bored or miffed, and feeling creative, you can just play the telemarketers' game against them. Some firms do not allow the callers to hang up on a call, so the possibility for entertainment is endless..... a favorite trick of mine is to go find an interesting book and start reading to them. Often, callers will play along with this after they run out of their spiel, because it means they do not have to deal with more annoyed respondents.

Answer 3

Telemarketers are the spawn of Satan. They have no souls. They have thick black evil blood flowing through their bodies, and suck the blood of newborns during the full moon.

I try not to give them any time. Remember, they are trained to speak consecutively without any gaps or pauses to get their point to you. Telemarketing firms spend millions of dollars on what tactics to use to keep you on the phone. Don't feel impolite about interrupting them from the get-go. Just tell them "Sorry. I'm not interested. Thank you for your time." Hang-up.
If you're getting repeated calls, you can try asking them to remove your name from their service, or to speak with their supervisor.

I personally enjoy messing with them occasionally.
Cleaning service? Do you guys get blood out? I mean like large quantities of blood... Like covering the drapes and carpet...and how soon could you get here?

But asking for your husband is way out of line. Tell them tey cannot speak to him, because you have already made the decision, and that if they continue to call, you'll file a complaint for harassment.

Answer 4

"Do you really think that after I've told you 'no,' my husband is going to turn around and tell you 'yes'? With me standing right here beside him?"

I asked a telemarketer that once when he made the request to speak to my husband after I said no to what he was selling. The telemarketer hung up after a couple of seconds of silence, I guess because he couldn't think of anything to say to that.

Answer 5

You can tell them that you don't have a husband.

Or that YOU make the decision in the family.

Or simply reiterate that you said no. And then firmly state that you wish to have your phone number taken off of the calling list.

My husband thinks it's funny to drop his voice to an almost whisper and gasp out that his wife died two days ago. I think he's had me die 20 times already! :)

Answer 6

Use your caller ID! Why even answer the phone in the first place?

EDIT: Oh, that's too bad. Both will protect you from having your time needlessly wasted.

Answer 7

When you answer the phone and the telemarketer starts his/her spiel, just say politely, "Thank you, but we're not interested!" and promptly hang up the phone. You don't owe him anything else.

Answer 8

My favorite is to say my girl has been bad and is tied up now and I don't feel like letting her loose. This usually fries there brain what is there to begin with.

try the national do not call registry.


p.s. APAC sucks!!!!!!

Answer 9

How about a simple, "No, you may not. The decision has already been made. Thank you for your call." and then HANG UP.

Answer 10

If they ask to speak with your husband after you say "no, thank you" just say "No, you may not speak with him" and hang up.

Answer 11

I say, thank you for calling but I am not interested and hang up