Ever play along with phoe scammer?

[Bob NC]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr

Then just don't answer the phone. These people are WORKING (sorry to shout, but it doesn't seem to be clear). They're employed. They're earning a living. They're not on unemployment or welfare. Again, that human being doesn't care why you don't want to be called. The employer cares THAT you don't want to be called.

Or hang up.

Do you not realize everyone understands what you are saying, but, just don't agree?

I don't give telemarketers grief, I just don't answer the phone.

However, I look at someone using my telephone line without my permission as theft. I bought my phone, I pay my service, I don't believe that gives the right to every window and cemetery salesman to use it.

It's the same as someone coming to my house and plugging into my outside electric outlet, it's theft, IMHO.

Unless you know me, you don't have permission to use my cable, wifi, electricity, or phone, simple as that.

[WDSearcher]

Originally Posted by Social Worker Sue

Oh. It’s very clear. I don’t think it is clear to you that I am against the part of their job that involves ME. I don’t want to be a part of THEIR job. Shrug. If they want to call my home and make ME a part of their employment, I will handle it in a way that makes them know I do not want to be a part of their job.

But you seem to think that the individual callers are to blame here. They're not. They get a list of numbers to call from their employer and -- in order to do their job and get paid -- they call the numbers. They are not actively choosing which numbers to call -- they do not manage the "Do Not Call" lists. The company does. The callers are doing what their employer tells them to do.

You can be against the job without treating the person like crap. You're taking out your anger at the employer by being rude to the employee. So the employee goes home at the end of the day feeling lousy, and the employer goes about his merry way, none the wiser. How does that make your life better?

[WDSearcher]

Originally Posted by Bob NC

Do you not realize everyone understands what you are saying, but, just don't agree?

I don't give telemarketers grief, I just don't answer the phone.

However, I look at someone using my telephone line without my permission as theft. I bought my phone, I pay my service, I don't believe that gives the right to every window and cemetery salesman to use it.

It's the same as someone coming to my house and plugging into my outside electric outlet, it's theft, IMHO.

Unless you know me, you don't have permission to use my cable, wifi, electricity, or phone, simple as that.

OK ... that I don't get at all. Unless you're paying per incoming call, how is someone calling you stealing from you, particularly if you don't answer? If your phone service costs $40 per month, doesn't it still cost $40 per month even if you pick up on a wrong number or on a call that you don't want?

And didn't the cemetery salesman buy his phone and pay his service too?

[Bob NC]

Originally Posted by WDSearcher

OK ... that I don't get at all. Unless you're paying per incoming call, how is someone calling you stealing from you, particularly if you don't answer? If your phone service costs $40 per month, doesn't it still cost $40 per month even if you pick up on a wrong number or on a call that you don't want?

And didn't the cemetery salesman buy his phone and pay his service too?

Its MY service. Something I pay for. For MY use.

[kaytieeldr]

Originally Posted by Bob NC

Its MY service. Something I pay for. For MY use.

I agree. I said way back, my phone is for my convenience. When I don't recognize the number, I don't answer the phone. Simple. The only thing a telemarketer might possibly be considered 'stealing' from me - based on your definition - is time.

They can't do that if I don't answer the call.

[WDSearcher]

Originally Posted by Bob NC

Its MY service. Something I pay for. For MY use.

No ... I get that. But then you're saying that if someone were to call your number by mistake -- a legitimate wrong number or misdial -- they're stealing from you.

Or ... what about someone you know, who has called you before, but you just don't want to talk to them right now. They're stealing from you too?

I get that YOU are paying for it. But someone YOU don't know calling the number doesn't cause YOU to pay more, right? That was my question.

[BeachLove]

I have got to try the "Daddy" "Daddy, is that you?" in a 5 year old voice

[Bob NC]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr

The only thing a telemarketer might possibly be considered 'stealing' from me - based on your definition - is time.

Or my peace and quiet.

When the phone rings I DO have to check my caller ID to see who it is and decide if I am going to answer or not.

I just don't see why I need to be concerned, for any reason, with strangers making my phone ring.

You own your driveway, it costs you nothing if I park on your driveway. How bout I come over and park in your driveway every now and then. Just 5 or 6 times a day for a little while each time. No big deal, right?

[mnrose]

Someone calling you is NOT stealing from you. That's absurd, really. You pay a monthly fee to have phone service. Phone service consists of two parts...dial tone to make out going calls, and part two, the right to receive incoming calls from anyone who dials the number. An incoming phone call that I don't want is no different than the sales person who knocks on my door. It's an interruption no matter how it's done.

I am with those who say "just don't answer the phone." I have caller ID, and unless I recognize the number/name of the person calling, I simply do not answer. BTW, I treat door knocks by sales people the same way.

I am also a firm believer in the phone being there for my benefit and convenience. Sales person or best friend....if I don't feel like talking, I let it go to the answering machine. I also will not answer the phone during dinner.

But, I see no reason to be rude or nasty to telemarketers. I don't have to answer. I don't have to talk to them. But, I also don't have to treat them badly.

[mnrose]

Originally Posted by Bob NC

Or my peace and quiet.

When the phone rings I DO have to check my caller ID to see who it is and decide if I am going to answer or not.

I just don't see why I need to be concerned, for any reason, with strangers making my phone ring.

You own your driveway, it costs you nothing if I park on your driveway. How bout I come over and park in your driveway every now and then. Just 5 or 6 times a day for a little while each time. No big deal, right?

Pay extra for an unlisted number and unpublished number. Otherwise, your phone number is public information and anyone who cares to do so can dial it up any old time they please. They are violating no laws. They are not committing theft. It's how the phone system works.

[WDSearcher]

Originally Posted by Bob NC

Or my peace and quiet.

When the phone rings I DO have to check my caller ID to see who it is and decide if I am going to answer or not.

I just don't see why I need to be concerned, for any reason, with strangers making my phone ring.

You own your driveway, it costs you nothing if I park on your driveway. How bout I come over and park in your driveway every now and then. Just 5 or 6 times a day for a little while each time. No big deal, right?

But I own the driveway. I don't own the phone line. The phone line -- even though it comes into my house -- is still owned by the phone company. I pay them to use their line. If you'd like to pay me to park in my driveway, I'm perfectly fine with that.

[Bob NC]

Originally Posted by WDSearcher

I get that YOU are paying for it. But someone YOU don't know calling the number doesn't cause YOU to pay more, right? That was my question.

It's not the payment.

My phone ringing disturbs me.

I don't want me and my family disturbed by STRANGERS, who in my mind have no business calling me.

I don't want people I know getting a busy signal because Rachel from Cardholder Services. has the phone tied up leaving me ANOTHER message.

If your car is in the driveway, you mind if those homeless folks down the street just sit in it? They aren't going to use gas, or even turn the key and use up battery power. It won't cost you a penny for them to sit in YOUR car.

[LilyWDW]

I admit to having been really mean to a telemarketer, but in my defense, it was a last ditch effort. The house was being called multiple times a day by a company looking for someone that does not live here. They called at hours they were not allowed to, would swear and yell at me, and would not take my number off their information. I had already gone through legal channels and they also did not care a bit about that and continued to call (they just paid the fines and don't care since the payoff will more then cover it). In other words, the things that were supposed to make them stop did NOT have any impact.

Finally, I had had it. Every time they would call they would get some loud music right into the phone from me. After only a single day of them getting really loud Rammstein from my computer speakers and nothing else, they stopped. Was it childish? Yes, I will admit it. But at that point I didn't care. I had done what I could do and I was tired of it so I stooped to their level.

The only other time I have been "rude" was when dealing with a lady recently who was trying to get me to put my mom on the phone. My mom who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. And she wouldn't tell me what it was about. I told her I wasn't putting my mom on the phone until she told me who she was, what it was about, and if my mom had contacted them at any point. When she refused to that that I told her to never call this house again until she was willing to answer my questions and hung up on her.

I couldn't just ignore the second call due to the fact that we are dealing with a LOT of calls right now that don't always show up on the caller ID. So I have to answer most calls that come in.

[Bob NC]

Originally Posted by WDSearcher

But I own the driveway. I don't own the phone line. The phone line -- even though it comes into my house -- is still owned by the phone company. I pay them to use their line. If you'd like to pay me to park in my driveway, I'm perfectly fine with that.

LOL. I guess when you argue long enough it eventually sinks to this level.....

[Ceila]

Just because something is legal does not mean it is right. Yes, it is legal for companies to call people who aren't on the DNCL and solicit their business. It does not make it right. It's rude, plain and simple, since it's an intrusion into people's lives. Even if you don't answer, the ringing itself is an intrusion, since you have to check and see who is calling.

If someone takes a job as a telemarketer, then they know that they are signing up to do something that is rude and annoys people, and I have little respect for people that choose to do that. I won't physically hurt them by blasting something in their ear, but I will hang up on them.

For the record, we are on the DNCL which helps, but the list isn't perfect and is often ignored.