what to tell telemarketers
If they want to loan you money, tell them you just filed for
bankruptcy and you could sure use some money.
2. If they start out with, "How are you today?" say, "Why do you want to know?"
Alternately, you can tell them, "I'm so glad you asked, because no one these
days seems to care, and I have all these problems; my arthritis is acting up, my
eyelashes are sore, my dog just died ..." When they try to get to the sell, just
keep talking about your problems.
3. If they say they're John Doe from XYZ Company, ask them to spell their name.
Then ask them to spell the company name. Then ask them where it is located.
Continue asking them personal questions or questions about their company for as
long as necessary.
4. This works great if you are male -- Telemarketer: "Hi, my name is Judy and
I'm with XYZ Company ..." You: Wait for a second and with a really husky voice
ask, "What are you wearing?"
5. Cry out in surprise, "Judy! Is that you? Oh my God! Judy, how have you been?"
Hopefully, this will give Judy a few brief moments of terror as she tries to
figure out where the hell she could know you from.
6. Say "No" over and over. Be sure to vary the sound of each one and keep a
rhythmic tempo, even as they are trying to speak. This is most fun if you can do
it until they hang up.
7. If MCI calls trying to get you to sign up for the Family and Friends Plan,
reply, in as SINISTER a voice as you can, "I don't have any friends ... would
you be my friend?"
8. If the company cleans rugs, respond: "Can you get out blood? Can you get out
GOAT blood? How about HUMAN blood?
9. After the telemarketer gives their spiel, ask him/her to marry you. When they
get all flustered, tell them that you could not just give your credit-card
number to a complete stranger.
10. Tell the telemarketer that you work for the same company, they often can't
sell to employees.
11. Answer the phone. As soon as you realize it is a telemarketer, set the
receiver down, shout or scream "Oh my God!" and then hang up.
12. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.
13. Tell them it is dinnertime, BUT ask if they would please hold. Put them on
your speakerphone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food
loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.
14. Tell the telemarketer you are on "home incarceration" and ask if they could
bring you some beer.
15. Ask them to fax the information to you, and make up a number.
16. Tell the telemarketer, "Okay, I will listen to you. But I should probably
tell you, I'm not wearing any clothes."
17. Insist that the caller is really your buddy Leon, playing a joke. "Come on
Leon, cut it out! Seriously, Leon, how's your momma?"
18. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up ... louder
... louder ... louder ...
19. Tell them to talk VERY SLOWLY, because you want to write EVERY WORD down.